Therapeutic effect of Momordica charantia on cardiomyopathy in a diabetic maternal rat model

• Published in: Journal of experimental zoology. Part A, Ecological and integrative physiology Ecological and integrative physiology, 2024-11, Vol.341 (9), p.977-990
• Main Authors: Elnahas, Shaimaa M., Mansour, Hend Abd El‐Halim, El‐Sawi, Mamdouh R., Abou‐El‐Naga, Amoura M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abnormalities; Animals; Antidiabetics; Antioxidants; Apoptosis; Aspartic endopeptidase; Bioactive compounds; Biomarkers; Cardiomyopathy; Caspase; Catalase; Cholesterol; Creatine; Creatine kinase; Defects; Density; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent); Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - drug therapy; Diabetic Cardiomyopathies - drug therapy; diabetic cardiomyopathy; Estrogens; Female; Fetuses; fibrosis; Gestational diabetes; Glucose; Glucose metabolism; Glutathione; Heart; Histopathology; Hormones; Hypoglycemic Agents - pharmacology; Hypoglycemic Agents - therapeutic use; Inorganic compounds; Insulin; Interleukin 6; Kinases; Lactate; Lactate dehydrogenase; Lipids; Lipoproteins; Luteinizing hormone; Malondialdehyde; maternal DM; Metabolism; Momordica charantia; Momordica charantia - chemistry; Necrosis; Neoplasms; Nitric oxide; Oestrogens; Oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Phenolic compounds; Phenols; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Pregnancy; Progesterone; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sex hormones; Steroid hormones; Superoxide dismutase; Tissue; Triglycerides; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF; Tumor suppressor genes
• ISSN: 2471-5638; 2471-5646; 2471-5646
• DOI: 10.1002/jez.2854

Myocardial structural and functional abnormalities are hallmarks of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), a chronic consequence of diabetes mellitus (DM). Maternal DM affects and increases the risk of heart defects in diabetic mothers compared with nondiabetic mothers. Momordica charantia exhibits antidiabetic effects due to various bioactive compounds that are phytochemicals, a broad group that includes phenolic compounds, alkaloids, proteins, steroids, inorganic compounds, and lipids. Pregnant maternal rats were split into four groups: control (C), M. charantia‐treated (MC), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (DM), and diabetic (MC + DM) groups. Diabetes mothers had increased serum glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and reduced high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Cardiac biomarkers such as cardiac troponin T (cTnT), creatine kinase‐myocardial band (CK‐MB), and lactate dehydrogenase were increased. Hormone levels of follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, progesterone, and estrogen decreased significantly. Inflammatory markers such as interleukin 6 (IL‐6), tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), and vascular adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1) were elevated in diabetic mothers. Oxidative stress markers indicated increased malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels, while antioxidants such as glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were decreased in maternal heart tissue. The levels of apoptotic markers such as tumor suppressor 53 (P53) and cysteine aspartic protease‐3 (caspase‐3) were significantly greater in diabetic maternal heart tissue. Histopathological analysis revealed heart tissue abnormalities in diabetic maternal rats. M. charantia extract improved maternal diabetes‐induced changes in inflammation, antioxidant levels, and heart tissue structure. Research Highlights Diabetes is characterized by a malfunction of glucose metabolism. Gestational diabetes increases maternal and fetal complications. Cardiovascular defects are linked to maternal gestational diabetes. Momordica charantia has antidiabetic effects on pregnant rats. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by a malfunction of glucose metabolism. Gestational diabetes increases the risk of maternal and fetal complications. Cardiovascular defects are linked to maternal gestational diabetes. Momordica charantia has antidiabetic effects on pregnant maternal rats.