KUMJ | VOL. 19 | NO. 2 | ISSUE 74 | APRIL-JUNE 2021
Effects of Momordica Charantia (Karela/bitterguord) in Type 2 Diabetic Patients Taking Allopathic Drugs: A pilot study
Rauniyar GP, Sinha R, Chapagain K, Maskey R, Pandey DR
Abstract: Background
Momordica charantia is evoloving as supplementary therapy in type 2 diabetes
mellitus. Animal studies reveal its anti-diabetic and lipid lowering property. However,
clinical studies with human subjects are very few.
Objective
To find out the effects of Momordica charantia supplements on glycemic and lipid
profile among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients taking allopathic drugs.
Method
A comparative study was conducted in internal medicine department of B P Koirala
Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan from July 2015 to May 2016 after ethical
clearance. Twenty two uncomplicated type-2 diabetes mellitus patients were enrolled.
Group A patients were supplemented with allopathic drug (oral anti-diabetic agents)
only and Group B with add on treatment of 200 ml juice of Momordica charantia
along with allopathic drug daily for ninety days. Fasting, post prandial blood sugar
and lipid profile levels were compared between baseline and ninety days post
supplementation. Data was collected and entry was done in Statistical Packages for
Social Services version 20.0, using independent t test with p < 0.05.
Result
Add on treatment with 200 ml of Momordica charantia along with anti-diabetic drug
daily significantly reduced fasting (p= < 0.0001) and post prandial blood sugar (p=<
0.0001). Treatment with anti-diabetic drugs only reduced fasting (p = 0.0008) and
post-prandial blood sugar but the reduction was not significant ((p =0.0001). There
was improvement in lipid profile by both anti-diabetic drugs alone and Momordica
charantia along with anti-diabetic drug, but it was not significant.
Conclusion
Add on treatment with 200 ml/day juice of Momordica charantia is effective in
glycaemic control in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients as compared to the allopathic
treatment alone.
Keyword : Blood sugar, Momordica charantia, Supplementation
