A histological study of the structural changes in the liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated with or without Momordica charantia (bitter gourd)

Aim. Diabetic liver is associated with biochemical, physiological and pathological changes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the histological changes following administration of Momordica charantia (MC) in the streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods. Eighteen Sprague-Dawley rats (n=18) were taken for this study. The animals were divided into 3 groups:-non-diabetic (n=6), untreated diabetic (n=6) and diabetic treated with MC extract (n=6). Diabetes was induced in the experimental rats via intravenous injection of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg body weight). MC extract (50 mg/kg body weight) was administered orally to the treated diabetic rats 10 days following induction. The liver tissues were collected on the 10^th day following treatment and the histological study was performed using different staining methods which included hematoxyline and eosin (H&E), Verhoeff's van Gieson (VvG) and periodic acid Schiff (PAS). Results. The liver of the diabetic rats showed involvement of the hepatocytes with features of inflammation. The portal triad in the diabetic liver showed extensive involvement in terms of accumulation of mucopolysaccharide deposits. Liver damage in the diabetic animals showed features of healing with administration of the MC extract. Conclusions. The MC extract due to its antioxidant role may be helpful in reversing the changes in the liver in diabetes mellitus.