Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the Momordica charantia capsule, combined with insulin hormone on the treatment of naturally occurring diabetes mellitus dogs.

Materials & Methods

Twelve client-owned dogs with naturally occurring diabetes mellitus at Small Animal Hospital, Chulalongkorn University were entered into the study. All dogs received subcutaneous insulin therapy and they were fed with a commercially available low-carbohydrate canned canine diet. Eight dogs which were randomly assigned into a treatment group received 1000 mg/10 kg body weight of Momordica charantia capsule orally every 12 hour with meals for three months and increased dose to 2000 mg/10 kg body weight for the next 2 months later. Other 4 dogs were randomly assigned into a control group and did not receive Momordica charantia capsule. Monthly fasting blood glucose and serum fructosamine concentration were obtained, and used to adjust insulin dosage for individual requirement.

Results: In treated dogs, serum fructosamine concentrations were slightly decreased from 596.00 ± 94.49 µmol/l to 520.88 ± 151.91 µmol/l after receiving 1000 mg/10 kg of MC capsule for three months and they were significantly decreased to 465.75 ± 171.16 µmol/l, after receiving 2000 mg/10 kg of MC capsule for two months. However, the fasting blood glucose concentration was not significantly different in both treatment and control groups. In addition, the MC capsule could not help to decrease the dosage of insulin requirement.

Conclusion

The use of MC capsule improved glycemic control in naturally occurring diabetes mellitus, but could not reduce or replace the exogenous insulin hormone.