Anti-diabetic effect of combined treatment with Aloe vera gel and Metformin on alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Aim: The present study investigated the effects of intensive glucose regulation with combined treatment of Aloe vera gel (a herbal agent) and Metformin in an alloxan-induced diabetic rat model. Methods: Forty rats were assigned to the following groups and treated for 21 days: Group 1 (normal untreated control), Group 2 (untreated diabetic rats, DR), Group 3 (DR + 300 mg/kg PE of Aloe vera ), Group 4 (DR + 2 mg/kg Metformin) and Group 5 (DR + 300 mg/kg PE of Aloe vera + 2 mg/kg Metformin). The effect of the treatments on fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, lipid profile, renal function, atherogenic index, pancreas and kidney histopathologies were assessed. Results: FBG level in Group 5 rats decreased by 28.4, 38.0 and 69.0% at Day 7, 14 and 21, respectively. Hyperlipidaemia, high atherogenic index, increased plasma creatinine and urea levels observed in the diabetic rats were ameliorated by the single and combined treatments with Aloe vera and Metformin. Reduced level of HDL-cholesterol in the untreated diabetic rats significantly improved by 160.0, 89.8 and 178.7% respectively in Group 3, 4 and 5 animals. The pancreas and kidney histopathologies indicated signs of recovery in Group 5 rats unlike those of Group 2 that had evidence of necrotic cells in both the acini and islet in pancreas and total glomeruli erosion in kidney. Conclusion: Aloe vera in combination with Metformin for treatment of diabetic patients could avert diabetes-associated dyslipidaemia, improve cellular integrity and increase, thereby preventing patients from risk of cardiovascular diseases and kidney failure.