Antidiabetic, Antihypercholestermic and Antioxidative Effect of Aloe Vera Gel Extract in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Aloe vera is used worldwide for several medical purposes as alternative medicine. The present study was aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidative activity of aloe vera gel extract in diabetic and control rats. Forty male albino rats, weighing (95±5g) were divided into four groups; group 1: normal control, group 2: Diabetic control group (by Intraperitoneal injection of alloxan 100mg/Kg body weight), group 3: normal rats received aloe vera gel extract (0.5ml/day for 5 weeks) and group 4: diabetic rats received aloe vera gel extract (0.5ml/day for 5weeks). Serum glucose, total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, Malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide and total antioxidant capacity were estimated. Alloxan injection induced hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress. Oral administration of aloe vera gel extract resulted in a significant decrease in serum glucose, total cholesterol and triacylglycerols (p < 0.05) in treated diabetic group as compared with diabetic control group. In addition , treatment with aloe vera gel extract ameliorated the oxidative stress evidenced by a significant decrease in serum MDA level and a significant increase in serum nitric oxide and total antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05) in treated diabetic group as compared with diabetic control group. Trace element analysis of aloe vera gel extract showed that aloe vera gel extract contained appreciable amount of (Cr, Mn and Zn) which potentiate the antidiabetic activity of this plant. Moreover, aloe vera gel extract contained natural antioxidants (total phenols, total flavonoid, vitamins C and E) which are responsible for the antioxidative effect of this plant.