Effect of Morinda citrifolia L. Ethanolic Leaf Extract on PancreaticHistopathology in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Yunlis S. Kenta (Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, STIFA Pelita Mas Palu, Palu 94231, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia)
Niluh Puspita Dewi (Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, STIFA Pelita Mas Palu, Palu 94231, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia)
Indah Kurnia Utami (Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, STIFA Pelita Mas Palu, Palu 94231, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia)
Nur Ramadhani (Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, STIFA Pelita Mas Palu, Palu 94231, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia)
Nani Astria Polontalo (Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Academy of Pharmacy Bina Farmasi, Palu 94231, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia)

Indonesian Journal of Jamu
Vol. 11 No. 5 (2026): Jurnal Jamu Indonesia (In Progress)

Morinda citrifolia L. (noni) is used in Indonesian jamu for diabetes, but evidence for its leaf is limited. This study evaluated its ethanolic leaf extract (MCLE) on pancreatic histopathology in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Thirty male rats were randomised into six groups (n = 5): normal and negative controls, glibenclamide (0.45 mg/kg BW), and MCLE at 250, 500 or 750 mg/kg BW orally for 28 days after confirmed diabetes (STZ 40 mg/kg BW). Haematoxylin–eosin-stained pancreata were graded on a 0–3 damage scale. Screening detected alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and steroids. Pancreatic damage differed markedly among the groups (p < 0.001). Only the highest dose, 750 mg/kg BW, gave significantly less damage than the untreated diabetic control, reaching a condition indistinguishable from both healthy animals and glibenclamide. The 250 and 500 mg/kg BW doses did not differ from the untreated diabetic control. MCLE is therefore pancreatoprotective at 750 mg/kg BW only.