Efek Ekstrak Etanol Biji Pinang (Areca Catechu L.) terhadap Kadar Gula Darah dan Histologi Pankreas pada Tikus (Rattus Norvegicus L.) Jantan yang Diinduksi Aloksan

Abstract

Areca catechu seeds (Areca catechu L.) is a herbal plant that contains secondary metabolite compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and tannins, which have hypoglycemic properties. Flavonoids, as antioxidants, can neutralize free radicals and increase insulin secretion in the body, thereby triggering histological improvements and regenerating damaged cells. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of ethanol extract of betel nut seeds (Areca catechu L.) on blood sugar levels and pancreatic histology in male rats (Rattus norvegicus L.) induced with alloxan. The study used a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of 6 treatments and 4 replications. The treatments included a normal control (no treatment), a positive control induced with 150 mg/kg body weight (BW) of alloxan, 3 treatment groups induced with alloxan and given ethanol extract of betel nut seeds at doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg BW, and 1 treatment group induced with alloxan and given 45 mg/kg BW of metformin. Blood sugar levels were measured on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 21 after induction. Pancreatic organ preparations were made using the paraffin method and stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin. The results showed that the administration of ethanol extract of betel nut seeds had a significant effect (p<0.05), on lowering blood sugar levels, improving the diameter of the Langerhans islets, and reducing the number of necrosis and vacuolization in the Langerhans islets.