Effect of Piper crocatum leaves extract on atherosclerosis in diabetic rats

Atherosclerosis is caused by an inflammatory process in the endothelium due to an imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant agents that often occurs in Diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Antioxidants that function to neutralize superoxide can be used to prevent atherosclerosis in DM. Piper crocatum leaves shows an unknown antioxidant effect on the atherosclerosis process. The aim of this study was to determine the effect Piper crocatum leaves extract on the severity of atherosclerosis in diabetic rats. Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly distributed into 6 groups such as HC (healthy control), NC (diabetic-no therapy), PC (metformin 45 mg/kg), PC200, PC300, and PC400 (Piper crocatum leaves extract 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg/day). Blood sampling and histopathological analysis were performed after 14 days of treatment. MDA was measured using the TBARS method. The severity of atherosclerosis of the rat carotid artery was observed from tissue stained with haematoxylin eosin (HE) staining. Dose dependent treatment of Piper crocatum leaves extract decreased the blood glucose and MDA levels in the PC200, PC300, and PC400 groups compared to group NC while the body weight was increased. The study showed a decrease in the severity of atherosclerosis in groups PC200, PC300, PC400 compared to groups NC. In conclusion, Piper crocatum leaves extract may influence in decreasing blood glucose, MDA, and severity of atherosclerosis in diabetic rats.