Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, which can lead to various complications, including kidney damage. Momordica charantia (MC) is a plant known for its antidiabetic properties. This study aimed to investigate the effect of MC leaf fractions on serum electrolytes and renal function indices in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats. Alloxan-induced diabetic rats were orally administered with MC leaf fractions (aqueous, ethanolic, and chloroform) for 28 days. Serum electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and chloride) and renal function indices (urea, creatinine, and uric acid) were analyzed. The results showed that diabetic rats treated with MC leaf fractions exhibited significant improvements in serum electrolytes levels compared to the untreated diabetic group. The ethanolic fraction showed the most significant effect on normalizing electrolyte levels. Furthermore, the renal function indices in the diabetic rats were improved following treatment with MC leaf fractions. The levels of urea, creatinine, and uric acid were significantly reduced in the treated groups compared to the diabetic control group. The ethanolic fraction demonstrated the most potent effect in restoring normal renal function indices. The findings suggest that MC leaf fractions possess beneficial effects on serum electrolytes and renal function in diabetic rats. The improvement in electrolyte levels and renal function indices could be attributed to the antidiabetic and nephroprotective properties of MC. The ethanolic fraction showed the most promising results, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent for managing diabetic complications, particularly kidney damage. In conclusion, the study highlights the potential of MC leaf fractions in mitigating diabetes-induced alterations in serum electrolytes and renal function indices in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action and to explore the clinical relevance of MC in managing diabetic complications. The findings underscore the importance of natural remedies, such as MC, in the management of diabetes and its associated complications, offering a potential alternative or adjunct to conventional therapies.

Thesis Overview

Diabetes affects one hundred and thirty five million people in one year worldwide (King et.al., 1999) and this figure is projected to rise to three hundred million in 2025 ((King et. al.,1998). It is obvious that diabetes, a chronic non communicable disease, continues to have a tremendous impact on society in terms of the quality of life and straining health care resources. The costs incurred in managing or preventing it are enormous, both in Kenya and throughout the world. The disease causes substantial morbidity, mortality and long-term complications and remains a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In Africa, this disease continues to impact on the poverty levels of the people.

Diabetes mellitus is a systemic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose due to absolute oxidative stress may cause tissue to be more susceptible to oxidative damage and progression of disease in renal glomerolus (Brownlee, 2001; Yao et al., 2009).Histopathological evaluations on the diabetic kidney show expansion of mesangial matrix and uniform thickening of basement membranes in glomerulus and tubules (Ziyadeh and Wolf, 2008).

Since ancient times, plants have been a worthy source of medicine, which not only control hyperglycemia at low dosages but can also be taken for longer periods in contrast to synthetic hyperglycemic drugs (Grover et al., 2002). One of these plants is Momordica charantia (MC), also known as karalla, or bitter melon, which belongs to the cucurbitaceafamily, grows in tropical areas, including parts of the Amazon, east Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, and is cultivated throughout South America as a food and medicine (Grover and Yadav, 2004).

The Momordica charantia (bitter melon) is a widely used plant in the traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). It has been shown that Momordica charantia (Mc) has hypoglycemic effects on animals and humans, however, we don´t know if this effect is present in a chronic time and if the plant extract (stem and leaves) participates in the antihyperglycemic effect.

The Momordica charantia (MC) contains anti-hyperglycemic chemicals include glycosides, saponins, alkaloids, fixed oils, triterpenes, proteins and steroids (Murakami et al., 2001; Erden et al., 2010). These chemicals are concentrated in fruits of the Momordica charantia (MC), therefore fruit of the MC has shown more pronounced anti-hyperglycemic activity (Grover and Yadav, 2004). Presence of antioxidants in the fruits and vegetables such as vitamin C, E, carotenoids, lycopenes and flavonoids are also important in prevent free radical injury (Semiz and Sen, 2007). Total flavonoid and phenol contents ofMomordica charantia (MC) extract were analyzed and revealed that MC extract possess potent diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (Wu and Ng, 2008). Several studies have reported the anti-diabetic effects of MC on renal functional and histological changes in alloxan albino rats but only limited data is available on the anti-diabetic effects of MC on renal functional and histological changes in rats. 1.1. Aim

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Momordica charantia leaf fractions on some serum electrolytes and renal biomarkers in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

1.1.0 Specific objectives

i.   To obtain fractions of Mormodica charantia leaf modified multi solvent serial extraction

ii.   To evaluate the effect of Mormodica charantialeaf fractions on serum electrolytes and   other renal function indices in alloxan induced diabetic albino rats.