EFFECT OF ALOIN ON HEPATIC HISTOPATHOLOGY AND TNF-a EXPRESSION IN AN AGED MOUSE MODEL OF OBESITY AND TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Muhammad Sutan Delupi; Nadia Purnama Dewi; Ade Teti Vani; Dessy Abdullah

doi:10.59003/nhj.v6i2.2245

Authors

Muhammad Sutan Delupi Baiturrahmah University
Nadia Purnama Dewi Baiturrahmah University
Ade Teti Vani Baiturrahmah University
Dessy Abdullah Baiturrahmah University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59003/nhj.v6i2.2245

Keywords:

Aloin; Metformin; TNF-α; Hepatic histopathology; Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background: Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus are closely associated with chronic hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and persistent inflammation, which may contribute to progressive hepatic injury. Aloin, an anthraquinone glycoside derived from Aloe species, has been reported to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of aloin administered in combination with metformin on hepatic histopathology and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) expression in aged male mice with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: This experimental study used a post-test-only control group design involving 32 male mice (Mus musculus) divided into two groups: a positive control group receiving metformin and a treatment group receiving metformin plus aloin. After 28 days of intervention, hepar tissues were examined using haematoxylin–eosin staining and immunohistochemical assessment of TNF-α expression. Results: The treatment group showed relatively better-preserved hepatocyte morphology and more organised hepatic architecture than the positive control group, although several areas of cellular injury remained detectable. TNF-α immunoreactivity was less extensive and more scattered in the treatment group. The mean hepatic TNF-α value was lower in the treatment group than in the positive control group (81.244 ± 13.238 vs 99.352 ± 6.993). The difference between groups was statistically significant (p = 0.011). Conclusion: Aloin supplementation alongside metformin was associated with improved hepatic histological features and lower TNF-α expression in aged obese mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus. These findings support the potential role of aloin as an adjunctive agent in reducing diabetes-related hepatic inflammation and injury.

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