Purpose: This study was carried out with an objective to study the preventive effects of Momordica charantia (Karela) on diabetic retinopathy in hyperglycemic rats through its hypoglycemic, angiogenic and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Method: The diabetic rats were treated for a period of 24 weeks and evaluated for hyperglycaemic, angiogenic, inflammatory and antioxidant parameters as well as histological and immunological changes. Rat fundus was monitored regularly to visualize retinal changes, using fundus camera. Results: Momordica charantia (MC) treatment reduced blood glucose significantly as compared to diabetic group. Significant lenticular changes were also observed in diabetic rats. VEGF expression elevated markedly in retina of diabetic animals, which reduced significantly on simultaneous treatment with MC. PKC expression in diabetic animals was very high, which significantly reduced on treatment with MC. Anti-inflammatory markers- TNF-a and IL-1b increased in the retina of diabetic rats. Simultaneous treatment with MC exhibited a good prevention against increase in these expressions. It also showed significantly improved levels of retinal Glutathione (GSH). GSH activity decreased in diabetic control group which was restored in treated animals. Histopathological studies revealed mild thickening of the vascular basement membrane of retinal blood vessel from diabetic group, but showed thin long endothelial cells with no widening of the basement membrane in normal and MC treated animals. Conclusion: The inhibition of angiogenic and over expresssion of pro-inflammatory mediators by MC and its efficacy in preventing the retinal oxidative stress in the development of experimental retinopathy suggests its potentiality in the prevention and treatment of diabetic retinopathy.
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