Antidiabetic Effects of Tithonia diversifolia and Malus domestica Leaf Extracts in Alloxan-Induced Sprague Dawley Rats

Abstract

Fatmawaty Yazid, Shania O. Salim, Faizal D. Rahmadika, Rosmalena Rosmalena, Nina Artanti, Andini Sundowo, Vivitri D. Prasasty

The limited supply of antidiabetic medication is one of the problems of diabetes medication in Indonesia. The wealth of Indonesian medical plants can be a solution to solve the problems, including the development of Tithonia diversifolia and Malus domestica as the plants are known to have antidiabetic effects. This research aimed to investigate T. diversifolia and M. domestica leaf extracts' effect on lowering fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels and histopathological changes in alloxan-induced Sprague Dawley rat livers. Materials and Methods: This study used 24 Sprague Dawley rats that were divided into 6 groups, which was a normal group (non-hyperglycemic group), the positive control group was given metformin, a negative control group was given mineral water, and the other three groups that were given T. diversifolia and M. domestica leaf extracts at doses of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg BW. The rats were injected with alloxan at a dose of 120 mg/kg BW via intraperitoneal. Subsequently, after 4 days, the rat FBG levels were elevated. The rats were categorized as hyperglycemic if their blood glucose levels were at > 200 mg/dL and received treatment according to their groups for 16 days. The FBG levels were measured on days 4, 8, 12, and 16. After 16 days, the rats were dissected, and the liver of each rat was taken for histological examination with Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining. The FBG levels data were tested using one-way ANOVA. Results: The results showed that these plant extracts affected lowering FBG levels and affected hyperglycemic rat histopathology structures. The T. diversifolia (600 mg/kg) and M. domestica (200 mg/kg) extract showed the most effective lowering of FBG levels. Conclusion: Extract of T. diversifolia and M. domestica leaf extracts decreased diabetic rat FBG levels and improved the rat pancreas histological structures. It suggests the plant extracts had protective effects on liver complications.