ANTI-HYPERGLYCEMIC Effect of Aloe Vera Leaf Gel Extract in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rabbits

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the anti-diabetic activity of aloe vera ethanolic extract in alloxan induced
hyperglycemic rabbits as an alternate mode of treatment for type-2 diabetes.
Methods: In the present experiment sixty six healthy male rabbits of local strain weighing 1.0-1.7
kg were divided into 3 groups. They were injected intravenously with alloxan monohydrate
according to body weight to induce diabetes. Baseline normal blood sugar level of all the rabbits
was recorded. The rabbits turned diabetic within 1-2 weeks after injection of alloxan. ABSR level
of = 250 mg/ dl was criterion for diabetes. Group A, served as control and was treated with placebo
(5 ml of distilled water daily). Group B was treated with Metformin (135 mg/ kg body weight daily)
and Group C was treated with ethanolic extract of aloe vera (300 mg/ kg body weight daily). Blood
sugar levels were recorded as 0hrs, 2hrs and 4hrs readings on days 1, 14 and 28 of the treatment.
The data was recorded in specially designed proforma and analyzed with the help of computer
software SPSS version 16.
Results: There was no significant change in the BSL in Group A (the control group, diabetic
rabbits treated with 5 ml/ day of distilled water). Overall, in a period of 28 days, there was 44.1%
reduction of mean BSLin Metformin group and 25.3% reduction of mean BSLin Aloe Vera group.
Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of Aloe Vera leaf gel exhibited anti-diabetic activity in alloxan
induced diabetic rabbits. Although antihyperglycaemic effect of Aloe Vera gel extract is lesser
than that of Metformin but it has a gradual and sustained pattern