Fig. 2

Light photomicrographs of pancreatic sections from different experimental groups. a Control group showing normal architecture of the pancreas. The exocrine component forms of pancreas closely packed by acinar cells and arranged into small lobules. Pancreatic lobules separated by intact intralobular and interlobular connective tissue septa. The islet cells are seen interspersed between the acinar cells. The islets appeared lightly stained than the surrounding acinar cells. b Diabetic rats revealed pathological changes of both exocrine and endocrine components. The acinar cells were swollen and small vacuoles were observed in almost all acinar cells. Interlobular ducts were lined with flattened epithelium [indicated by black arrow]. Islet β-cells are almost entirely lost in STZ-treated rats. c Diabetic rats treated with metformin showing distortion of the general architecture. Most exocrine acini revealed acinar damage represented by cytoplasmic vacuolation and cell atrophy [indicated by green arrow]. Wider interlobular [indicated by red arrow] and intralobular [indicated by blue arrow] duct were observed. d Diabetic rats treated with F. deltoidea displaying nearly normal structure of Islets of Langerhans. Atrophic change of the acinar cells was less severe and the border between exocrine and endocrine portions became more distinct. e Diabetic rats treated with vitexin revealed regeneration of islets. The small vacuoles in the basal area of acinar cells were also much smaller. Images are representative of three animals per experimental group (magnification ×200)