AKTIVITAS ANTIHIPERGLIKEMIK PATI TAPIOKA TERMODIFIKASI EKSTRAK DAUN JAMBU BIJI MERAH PADA TIKUS DIABETES [ANTIHYPERGLICEMIC ACTIVITY OF TAPIOCA STARCH MODIFIED WITH RED GUAVA LEAF EXTRACT ON DIABETIC RAT]

Guava leaves extract were known to be rich in polyphenols and had an antihyperglycemic activity. Carbohydrate source food modified with polyphenols had lower digestibility and glycemic index than native. For that reason, tapioca (Manihot utilissima) modified with guava leaves extract was expected for reducing the risk of diabetes mellitus. The antihyperglycemic activity of tapioca starch modified with red guava leaf extract and its native starch were evaluated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Sprague Dawley rats aged 2 months (weight 175-250 g). Rats were fed with tapioca starch modified with 4 percent guava leaf extract and native tapioca for 35 days. The rats, the blood glucose level, and pancreatic Langerhans islets were assayed. The result showed that tapioca starch modified with 4 percent guava leaves extract had antihyperglycemic activity compared to its native starch. Tapioca starch modified with 4 percent guava leaves extract significantly increased beta-cell pancreas density and even though it did not significantly lower blood sugar levels in diabetic rats, but at the end of treatment, blood sugar levels were lower than the diabetic rat fed with native tapioca.ABSTRAK Ekstrak daun jambu biji diketahui kaya akan polifenol dan memiliki aktivitas antihiperglikemik. Modifikasi pangan sumber karbohidrat dengan polifenol memiliki daya cerna dan indeks glikemik lebih rendah dibanding aslinya. Oleh karena itu pati tapioka (Manihot utilissima) termodifikasi ekstrak daun jambu biji merah diharapkan dapat mengurangi risiko diabetes mellitus. Aktivitas antihiperglikemik dari pati tapioka termodifikasi dengan ekstrak daun jambu biji merah dan pati aslinya dievaluasi menggunakan tikus Sprague Dawley berusia 2 bulan (175-250 g) yang diinduksi dengan streptozotocin. Tikus diabetes diberi pakan tapioka terdimodifikasi 4 persen ekstrak daun jambu dan tapioka asli sebagai pembanding selama 35 hari. Parameter yang dinilai adalah glukosa darah dan gambaran histopatologis pankreas tikus. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa tapioka termodifikasi 4 persen ekstrak daun jambu memiliki aktivitas antihiperglikemik dibandingkan pati aslinya. Tapioka termodifikasi ekstrak daun jambu biji merah secara signifikan meningkatkan kepadatan sel beta pankreas dan meskipun tidak signifikan menurunkan kadar gula darah pada tikus diabetes, namun pada akhir perlakuan, kadar gula darah lebih rendah dibandingkan kelompok tikus diabetes yang diberi pakan tapioka asli.