Candlenut leaf methanol extract induces re-endothelialization in high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced rats

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of candlenut (Aleurites moluccana) leaf extract on late endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and endothelial cells in high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced rats. Twenty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. A normal control group was fed a standard diet and injected with citrate buffer. A positive control (HFD/S) group was fed a high-fat diet for 4 weeks, then injected with streptozotocin. Three groups were fed a high-fat diet and injected with streptozotocin, then treated with candlenut leaf extract in concentrations of 100, 200, or 400 mg/kgBW for 4 weeks. The percentage of late EPCs (CD34+/CD133- cells) was determined by flow cytometry. The tail artery histopathology sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, then the number of endothelial cells was counted. The administration of a high-fat diet and streptozotocin in rats significantly reduced the percentage of late EPCs in peripheral blood circulation and the number of tail artery endothelial cells compared to the normal controls. Candlenut leaf extract supplementation in concentrations of 200 and 400 mg/kgBW significantly increased the percentage of late EPCs and the number of endothelial cells compared to the HFD/S group. It is concluded that candlenut leaf extract can promote re-endothelialization in high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced rats.