Evaluation of acute and sub-chronic toxicity of bitter melon seed extract in Wistar rats. (2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chung, Wan-Yu; Jadhav, Sudhakar; Hsu, Pang-Kuei; Kuan, Chen-Meng
• Is Part Of: Toxicology reports. Volume 9(2022)
• Page Start: 1024
• Page End: 1034
• Publication Date: 2022
• Subjects: Momordica charantia -- Bitter melon seeds -- Acute toxicity -- Sub-chronic toxicity -- Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction; Toxicology -- Periodicals; Clinical toxicology -- Periodicals; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Hazardous Substances; Poisoning; Toxicology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 571.9505
• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2022.04.024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-7500

Abstract

Abstract: Pharmacological studies have revealed the potential antidiabetic effects of bitter melon seeds ( Momordica charantia ) in animals and humans. However, the sub-chronic safety of bitter melon seeds remains elusive. This exploratory study aimed to assess the acute and sub-chronic toxicity of a bitter melon seed extract from supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2 ) extraction in Wistar rats based on the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines No. 423 and 408. No mortality and toxicity were observed in rats treated with a single dose of the extract during the 14-day observation period. The median lethal dose (LD50 ) of the extract was considered greater than 2000 mg/kg body weight (BW). For the sub-chronic toxicity study, male and female rats were orally administered daily doses of 0, 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg BW for 90 days. No mortality, morbidity, and abnormal pathological and biochemical alterations were observed. The no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) of the bitter melon seed extract was greater than 1000 mg/kg BW. Accordingly, bitter melon seed extract from scCO2 extraction may be considered a non-toxic dietary ingredient. Graphical Abstract: ga1 Highlights: Pharmacological studies have revealed the potential hypoglycemic effect of bitter melon seed extracts. The LD50 of the scCO2-based bitter melon seed extract was > 2000 mg/kg BW. The NOAEL of the scCO2-based bitter melon seed extract in rats was > 1000 mg/kg BW.