Artocarpus altilis leaf extract protects pancreatic islets and improves glycemic control in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The antioxidant capacity of Artocarpus altilis leaf extract may offer protection against stress oxidative-induced 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/200g. 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.