Ameliorating effect of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) on the pancreas of alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Objective: This research work was carried out to investigate the effect of Nutmeg on the histology of pancreas of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Methodology: Twenty-five Wistar rats weighing 150 g – 180 g were purchased and acclimatized for two weeks. Thereafter, they were divided into five groups designated as A – E with five rats each. Group A serve as the control group, while groups B – C served as the experimental group, and were induced with alloxan. Group A received distilled water only, while groups B – C received Glucophage, 400 mg/kg of Nutmeg and 800 mg/kg of Nutmeg daily for 21 days through orogastric tube. On the 22nd day, the animals were sacrificed via chloroform inhalation, and pancreas were harvested from the rats for histological study. Results: Histopathological findings revealed normal well perfused pancreatic tissue with active Islets of Langerhans (IL), pancreatic acini (PA) and well out-lined acini cells (AC); poorly perfused pancreatic tissue with severe focal areas of Islets of the Langerhans atrophy and severe dissolution of acini; moderate necrotic (N) and pale appearance of the pancreatic acini in R1 however the Islets of the Langerhans in both sections are moderately normal; mild necrotic (N) and pale appearance of the pancreatic acini with mild aggregation of inflammatory cells (AIC); and mild aggregation of inflammatory cells (AIC) with active Islets of the Langerhans (IL) respectively for groups A – E. Conclusion: Nutmeg extract has ameliorating effect on the histology of the pancreas of alloxan-induced rats which improves with increase in the dosages of the extract.