Mechanism of Pancreatic Islet Number Improvement on Hyperglycemic Wistar Rats (Rattus norvegicus) After Golden Sea Cucumber (Stichopus hermanii) Extract Administration

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus constitutes a metabolic disorder indicated by a decrease in insulin secretion, insulin insensitivity, or a combination of both. Golden sea cucumber (Stichopus hermanii) is a natural resource of Indonesian waters with benefit for reducing blood sugar levels. This research aimed to determine the anti-hyperglycemic mechanism of golden sea cucumber.This study used a experimental laboratory research with Post-test Only Control Group. The sample of this study consisted of 25 male rats aged 60-70 days, divided into 5 groups: K(-), K(+), P1, P2, and P3 randomly. Rats from K(+), P1, P2, and P3 groups were injected with streptozotocin (STZ) with a dose of 50 mg/kg BW. Treatment was administered for 21 days. K(-) and K(+) groups were fed normally while P1, P2 and P3 groups were given golden sea cucumber 80% ethanol extract with a dose of 4,25 mg/kgBW/day, 8,50 mg/kgBW/day and 12,75 mg/kgBW/day respectively. On the 22 nd day, fasting blood sugar level was measured and the number of pancreatic islet was counted with histopathological examination. The administration of golden sea cucumber (Stichopus hermanii) extract on rats with hyperglycemia does not reduce blood sugar level, but the extract administration increases the number of pancreatic islet. Golden sea cucumber (Stichopus hermanni) extract may improve the number of pancreatic islet and prevent the progressive damage of pancreatic islet.