Effects of Nypa fruticans Leaf Ethyl Acetate Fraction on GLUT-2 Levels and Liver Glycogen in Diabetic Rats

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Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia and impaired glucose homeostasis. The liver plays an important role in glucose metabolism through glucose transport and storage, involving glucose transporter 2 (GLUT-2) and glycogen. The ethyl acetate fraction of Nypa fruticans leaves contains phenolic and flavonoid compounds that may have the potential to improve glucose metabolism. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the ethyl acetate fraction of Nypa fruticans leaves on hepatic GLUT-2 and glycogen levels in a diabetic rat model. Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: normal control, diabetic control, positive control treated with glibenclamide, and three treatment groups receiving the ethyl acetate fraction at doses of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg body weight. Diabetes was induced using nicotinamide and streptozotocin. The fraction was administered orally for 21 days. The analyzed parameters were hepatic GLUT-2 and glycogen levels. Results: Administration of the ethyl acetate fraction at 500 mg/kg body weight increased hepatic GLUT-2 levels from 9.34 ± 0.64 to 19.90 ± 0.88 ng/mL and hepatic glycogen levels from 0.89 ± 0.02 to 7.59 ± 0.08 ng/mL compared with the diabetic control group. The increases in hepatic GLUT-2 and glycogen levels showed a dose-dependent pattern, with the greatest effects observed at 500 mg/kg body weight. Hepatic GLUT-2 levels at 500 mg/kg body weight were not significantly different from those in the glibenclamide group. Conclusion: The ethyl acetate fraction of Nypa fruticans leaves increased hepatic GLUT-2 and glycogen levels in diabetic rats, with the strongest effect observed at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight. These findings indicate the potential of the ethyl acetate fraction of Nypa fruticans leaves to improve hepatic glucose homeostasis.