The activity of the fruit juice was assessed in vitro on streptozotocintreated
RIN cells and isolated islet cells, and in vivo in mice. It was found
that feeding juice caused a reduction in streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemia
in mice. The juice reduced the streptozotocin-induced lipid peroxidation
in pancreas of mice, RIN cells and islets. It also reduced the
streptozotocin-induced apoptosis in RIN cells indicating the mode of
protection of the juice on RIN cells, islet cells and pancreatic beta-cells
(40). The activity of the fruit juice on the distribution and number of alpha,
beta and delta cells in the pancreas of rats with streptozotocin-induced
diabetes was determined using immunohistochemical methods. The
results suggested that there was a significant (p < 0.004) increase in the
199
Fructus Momordicae
number of beta cells in treated animals, as compared with untreated diabetic
rats, but their number was still significantly smaller than that obtained
for normal rats. There was also a significant (p < 0.006) increase in
the number of delta cells in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes
compared to non-diabetic rats, but the number of alpha cells did not
change. These data indicate that oral administration of the crude drug may
renew the beta cells in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes or alternatively
may permit the recovery of partially destroyed beta cells