Current Internal Medicine Research and Practice Surabaya Journal (Aug 2024)
Effect of Ajwa Date (Phoenix dactylifera) Extract on the Histopathology of Pancreatic Islets in Mice with Diabetes Mellitus
Abstract
Introduction: It is necessary to develop alternative antidiabetic therapies that are safer and more affordable to overcome the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Indonesia. Ajwa dates (Phoenix dactylifera) have a high flavonoid content; hence, this study aimed to investigate their effect on streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus mice by examining the number of beta cells and the islets of Langerhans. Methods: Twenty-five mice were divided into five groups: a negative control group (K1), a positive control group (K2), and three treatment groups (P1, P2, and P3). The K2, P1, P2, and P3 groups were induced by 100 mg/kg bw of streptozotocin. Additionally, the P1, P2, and P3 groups received oral treatment using ajwa date methanol extract at different doses of 3, 5, and 7 g/kg bw, respectively. The treatment was administered daily for four weeks. The initial analysis included the homogeneity test and the Shapiro-Wilk test. As the data were non-normally distributed, the analysis proceeded with the Kruskal-Wallis test (p<0.05). Results: The comparative analysis revealed significant differences in the number of beta cells among the groups, with a notable decrease observed in the K2 group and an increase in each treatment group. The measurement of the islets of Langerhans exhibited significant differences among the groups, with p=0.001. Conclusion: The administration of ajwa date methanol extract can affect the number of beta cells and the islets of Langerhans in mice with diabetes mellitus. Highlights: • This original study examined the antioxidant compounds derived from naturally sourced ajwa date (Phoenix dactylifera) extract. • Ajwa date extract has the potential to protect against histological damage, specifically to beta cells and pancreatic islets, in mice induced by streptozotocin.
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