Efficacy of Bitter Melon Powder on Type ۲ Diabetes

Background: Momordica charantia (bitter melon) is commonly used in traditional medicine for the management of diabetes, due to its insulin-like properties. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of bitter melon powder in managing Type ۲ diabetes by evaluating its impact on Random Blood Glucose (RBG), Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG), and Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA۱c) levels. Methods: The study was carried out over five months at the Diabetic Clinic of Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi, involving ۶۰ patients (۳۰ males and ۳۰ females) aged ۳۵ to ۶۰ years, selected through convenience sampling based on inclusion criteria. Patients were given ۱/۲ teaspoon of bitter melon powder daily before breakfast. The patients followed a sugar-free, low-fat diet, and blood glucose levels were measured through biochemical tests before and after the intervention. Data analysis and statistical validation were conducted using ANOVA. Results: The treatment group showed a significant reduction in RBG (۲۴۴.۴۳ to ۲۰۱.۲۰ mg/dl, P=۰.۰۰۱) compared to an increase in the control group (۲۴۶.۶۳ to ۲۷۵.۱۰ mg/dl, P=۰.۰۰۵). FBG decreased in the treatment group (۱۱.۲۱ to ۱۰.۴۳ mg/dl, P=۰.۰۲), while the control group slightly increased (۱۱.۲۱ to ۱۱.۲۶ mg/dl, P=۰.۱۰). HbA۱c levels also dropped in the treatment group (۸.۰۹ to ۷.۶۲%, P=۰.۰۱) versus a rise in the control group (۸.۰۲ to ۸.۱۴%, P=۰.۰۹). Conclusions: The findings indicate that bitter melon supplementation can significantly lower blood glucose levels and provide a safe alternative to conventional diabetes treatments.

کلیدواژه ها:

Bitter melon ، Diabetes mellitus ، Alternative medicine ، Insulin resistance.