Effects of Quercetin-Rich Tithonia diversifolia Leaf Extract on Glutathione Levels in Diabetic Rats

Lailatul Muniroh (Doctoral Program of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60132, Indonesia)
Eka Cahya Febriyanto (Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Population Studies and Health Promotion, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia)
Agung Pranoto (Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60132, Indonesia)
Sudjarwo Sudjarwo (Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia)
Vaidehi Ulaganathan (Nutrition with Wellness, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University Kuala Lumpur)
Annisa Socadevia (Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia)

Jurnal Media Gizi Indonesia (MGI)
Vol. 21 No. 4 (2026): MEDIA GIZI INDONESIA

High blood sugar increases the production of free radicals, which require antioxidants for neutralization. In addition, a high-fat diet (HFD) exacerbates oxidative stress by promoting lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and chronic low-grade inflammation, thereby accelerating the depletion of endogenous antioxidant defense systems. The main antioxidant in the body is glutathione (GSH), which can also be obtained or supported by bioactive compounds from plants, such as Tithonia diversifolia. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a quercetin-rich T. diversifolia leaf extract on glutathione levels in diabetic rats. This study used a randomized post-test control group design. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: negative control group (X0): received CMC-Na; positive control group (X1): induced with STZ + HFD; treatment group X2: induced with STZ + HFD + T. diversifolia extract (100 mg/kg body weight); treatment group X3: induced with STZ + HFD + T. diversifolia extract (200 mg/kg body weight).  The diabetic rat model was created by inducing STZ at a dose of 60 mg/kg BW intraperitoneally and administering HFD for 14 days. The rats were treated with T. diversifolia extract for 28 days. On day 29, all rats were sacrificed, and blood samples were collected to measure glucose levels using a glucometer (EasyTouch® GCU) and EasyTouch® blood glucose test strips. GSH levels were measured using ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test with a 95% confidence level (p=0.05).