Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) improves insulin sensitivity by increasing skeletal muscle insulin-stimulated IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation in high-fat-fed rats

Bitter gourd extract reduced fasting insulin levels from 43 to 23 microU/ml in high-fat-fed rats.

• High-fat feeding for 10 weeks decreased glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in male Wistar rats.
• Supplementation with bitter gourd extract for 2 weeks improved both glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.
• Bitter gourd extract also lowered triglycerides and cholesterol levels in high-fat-fed rats.
• High-fat feeding reduced insulin-stimulated IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation, while bitter gourd supplementation improved this phosphorylation.
• These findings suggest that bitter gourd extract may enhance insulin signaling in the context of high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance.

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