Cardiovascular benefits of Momordica charantia in cholesterol-fed Wistar rats

Abstract Background Momordica. charantia is popularly used as a medicinal herb in ethnomedicine for the management of cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we evaluated the beneficial effects of the ethanolic extract of M. charantia (Linn.) in experimentally induced cardiovascular disorders using cholesterol-fed Wistar rat. Methods Seventy-two experimental rats were randomly assigned into nine 9 groups of 8 rats each and treated as follows: Rats in group A (control) were given distilled water only; Rats in group B were given 30 mg/kg of cholesterol dissolved in coco-nut oil (cholesterol solution); Rats in group C were given cholesterol solution and 100 mg/kg Atorvastatin; Rats in group D were given 250 mg/kg of M. charantia and cholesterol solution; Rats in group E were given 500 mg/kg of M. charantia and cholesterol solution; Rats in group F were given 250 mg/kg. M. charantia; Rats in group G were given 500 mg/kg M. charantia; Rats in group H were given 1 ml of coconut oil; Rats in group I were given 100 mg/kg of Atorvastatin. Results Mean LDL-cholesterol was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in groups F, E and H as compared with the control groups. Histological analysis of the heart and aortic branch of the experimental rats show that cholesterol administration induced myocardial degeneration, vascular ulceration and stenosis in the aorta and heavy perivascular infiltrates of inflammatory cells. However, these deleterious effects were ameliorated upon treatment with Momordica charantia and Atorvastatin as compared with the control groups. Conclusion Our findings indicate the possible cardiovascular benefits of M. charantia.