Effect of Momordica charantia on key hepatic enzymes

The effect of Momordica charantia on certain key hepatic enzymes was investigated using male Sprague-Dawley rats as the animal model. Fruit juice and seed extract of Momordica charantia were administered orally at a daily dose of 1 ml/100 g body weight for 30 days under light ether anaesthesia while the control group received equivalent amounts of distilled water under identical conditions (n = 10 in each case). Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (P < 0.001) and alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.01-0.001) concentrations were found to be significantly elevated following oral administration of both the fruit juice and the seed extract. Consistent significant histopathological changes in the liver were not observed in either treatment group although the prevalence of dilatation and/or congestion of the central vein sinusoidal system appeared to be twice as high following fruit juice treatment than in the other 2 groups. Thus, Momordica charantia may either contain hepatotoxins capable of causing cellular damage at the molecular level without causing significant histopathological changes or the plant may have an enzyme inducing effect.