Effect of Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. on the histopathology of the diabetic pancreas via caspase family expression

Context: Diabetes is a prominent cause of mortality globally, particularly in Indonesia. Elevated glucose levels stimulate insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells. A variety of drugs, including oral treatments and synthetic insulin, have been developed to address the needs of individuals with diabetes mellitus. Nevertheless, these medications are often too expensive. Gynura procumbens, a plant prevalent in Indonesia, demonstrates notable antidiabetic potential. Aims: To analyze apoptosis via caspase family in pancreas tissue after administration of G. procumbens. Methods: The ethanol extract of G. procumbens leaves was chitosan nanoencapsulated by amalgamating chitosan with a glacial acetic acid solution, followed by filtration with Na-TPP solution. This study utilized Wistar rats divided into six groups, comprising two control groups, one comparison group receiving metformin, and three treatment groups administered G. procumbens at doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg BW orally for two weeks. The rats underwent dissection for immunohistochemistry examination of caspase family proteins. Results: Administering G. procumbens leaves to rats in the diabetic cohort markedly reduced blood glucose levels, particularly in the P3. The glucose levels in this cohort were nearly equivalent to those observed in the group receiving the metformin. The injection of the maximum dosage of G. procumbens at 300 mg/kg BW can inhibit apoptosis via caspase-3, -8, and -9. Furthermore, it can regenerate pancreatic tissue by mitigating necrosis and vacuolization. Conclusions: G. procumbens inhibits apoptosis by decreasing the expression of the caspase family in the pancreatic tissue of diabetic rats.