¹Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training, Institut Agama Islam Negeri (IAIN) Batusangkar, West Sumatra, Indonesia
²Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Andalas University, West Sumatra, Indonesia
³Department of Pharmacy, Andalas University, West Sumatra, Indonesia DOI : 10.29228/jrp.115 This study aimed to assess the protective effect of the n-hexane fraction of Enhydra fluctuans aerial against insulitis in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. A total of 30 male rats (five normal rats and 25 diabetic rats) were assigned to one of six groups (n = 5/groups): group 1 is the normal rat group (GN) was without treatment, group 2 is diabetic rat was given 0.5% Na-CMC (G0), group 3 is diabetic rat was given glibenclamide 0.45 mg/kg body weight (G1), group 4, 5, and 6 are diabetic rats were given n-hexane fraction doses of 57.03, 114.06, and 171.09 mg/kg body weight respectively. The experiment was carried out over 21 days. Blood glucose was measured on the first and latest day of treatment. Furthermore, insulin levels, the number of pancreatic β-cell, and degrees of insulitis were evaluated. The n-hexane fraction reduced blood glucose, increased insulin levels, and increased the number of pancreatic β-cell significantly in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The administration of the n-hexane fraction at a dose of 57.03 mg/kg body weight exerted the best protective effect against insulitis and promoted regeneration of the islet of Langerhans. The results of this study indicate that this herb could effectively reduce insulitis and promote the regeneration of pancreatic tissue under diabetes. Thus, E. fluctuans has the potential to be developed as a novel diabetes drug. Keywords : Alloxan; antidiabetes; Enhydra fluctuans; hyperglycemia; insulitis