Artocarpus altilis Leaf Extract Protects Pancreatic Islets and Improves Glycemic Control in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

The antioxidant capacity of Artocarpus altilis leaf extract may offer protection against stress oxidativeinduced damage to pancreatic cells. This study aimed to examine the effect of Artocarpus leaf extract on pancreatic islets structure, blood glucose (BG), and insulin serum levels in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced in rats with an intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (155 mg/kg). Rats’ BG levels were measured daily. Only rats with BG >250 mg/dL (n = 25) proceeded to receive different treatments: placebo, Artocarpus leaf extract at the dose of 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg, or insulin 6 IU/200 g. All treatments were administered daily for 14 days before blood and pancreatic tissue samples were collected. Five healthy rats (n = 5) were included to serve as normal controls. The result shows that alloxan-induced atrophy of pancreatic islets and Artocarpus leaf extract administration at all given doses reduced the severity of pancreatic islet’s atrophy. However, only at 400 mg/kg dose, Artocarpus leaf extract significantly reduced rats’ BG level (P < 0.05), similar to that of insulin-treated rats. Artocarpus leaf extract, especially at 100 and 400 mg/kg doses, also improved insulin serum levels compared with placebo treatment (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Artocarpus leaf extract protected rats’ pancreatic islets against alloxan-induced damage. This protection could improve the BG and insulin serum levels in Artocarpus-treated rats.