Acute Toxicity Evaluation of Methanolic Seed Extract of Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) in Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract

Bitter melon scientifically known as Momordica charantia, is an important vegetable with a variety of medical uses. This study aimed to analyze toxicity profiling of methanolic seed extract of M. charantia in Swiss albino mice. For this purpose, Swiss albino mice were provided with the methanolic extract of the seed, that was given orally in a single dose of 2000 mg/kg of body weight. Following this, the mice kept under observation for the eight consecutive days.  At the end of the acute stage, mice were dissected and samples of blood were collected to analyze various biochemical (ALT, AST, ALP, uric acid, urea, creatinine, LDL, and HDL) and hematological parameters (RBCs, WBCs, MCV, hematocrit, platelets, and hemoglobin). Some major organs (liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, and heart) were surgically removed for histopathological examination. It was found that the oral administration of the methanolic extract of M. charantia seed had no harmful effects on biochemical and hematological parameters. Moreover, the methanolic seed extract of M. charantia did not exert toxic effects on vital organs of the mice, suggesting its effective use in treatment of various disease.