Momordica charantia (MC) or bitter gourd is widely known for its antidiabetic properties. The aim of the present study was to observe the
protective effect of MC extract on the kidneys of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Eighteen male Sprague–Dawley rats (n=18) weighing
200±50 g were taken for the study. The study comprised of three groups i.e. a non-diabetic, diabetic untreated and diabetic treated with
MC extract, with each group comprising of six (n=6) rats. Diabetes was induced in the overnight fasted rats by intramuscular injection of
streptozotocin (50 mg/kg body weight). The MC extract (50 mg/kg body weight) was administered via oral gavage. Both the kidneys were
collected on the tenth day following treatment. Histological study using Verhoeff’s van Gieson (VvG) and Periodic Acid–Schiff (PAS) stains
were performed. The kidneys of the diabetic rats showed thickening of the basement membrane of the Bowman’s capsule, edema and
hypercellurarity of the proximal tubules, necrosis and hyaline deposits. These features were found to be reversed when the MC extract was
administered to the experimental animals. The MC extract acted as an antioxidant thereby preventing the oxidative damage involved in the
diabetic kidney. The administration of MC extract prevents oxidative damage in diabetic nephropathy