ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC, ANTIOXIDANT, AND PANCREAS REGENERATION ACTIVITIES OF BLACK CUMIN (NIGELLA SATIVA L.) SEEDS ETHANOL EXTRACT IN ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the antihyperglycemic, antioxidant as well as pancreas regeneration effects of ethanol extracts of Nigella sativa L. seeds in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.Methods: The male Wistar rats were induced by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg bw). N. sativa seeds extract was prepared and orally administrated at the dose of 125 and 250 mg/kg bw for 28 d. Blood glucose level was measured, and antioxidant status was determined by the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase as well as malonyl aldehyde in liver. Histopathological and immunohistochemistry study of the pancreas was conducted at the end of the experimental period. The data obtained were analyzed by one-way ANOVA (p<0.05).Results: Both doses of N. sativa seeds extract showed the glucose lowering effect and corrected antioxidant status of diabetic animals in liver. N. sativa seeds extract dose of 250 mg/kg decreased blood glucose levels and malonyl aldehyde, as well as increased the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, more effective than a dose of 125 mg/kg. Immunohistopathology profiles proved the pancreas regeneration activity of N. sativa seeds extract, based on the enhanced of diameter and amount of Langerhans islet cells.Conclusion: N. sativa seeds extract dose of 125 and 250 mg/kg showed antihyperglycemic effect, enhanced antioxidant activity, as well as pancreas regeneration from organ damage on an alloxan-induced diabetic rat.Keywords: Nigella sativa L. seed extract, Antihyperglycemic, Antioxidant, Pancreas regeneratio