Effect of Aloe vera gel on antioxidant enzymes in streptozotocin-induced cataractogenesis in male and female Wistar rats

Abstract

There is increasing evidence that complications related to diabetes are associated with increased oxidative stress. Aloe vera (AV) gel has several biological properties, including antioxidant activity. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of AV gel extract on oxidative stress in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Wistar albino male and female rats were divided into the following four groups: normal control rats (N), AV-treated normal (N + NT), diabetic (DU), and AV-treated diabetic (DU + DT). The AV-treated normal (N + NT) and AV-treated diabetic (DU + DT) groups received oral administration of AV gel extract (300 mg/kg body weight) for 60 days. Diabetes was induced experimentally by an intraperitoneal injection of STZ at a dose of 55 mg/kg body weight. By the end of the experimental period, levels of various biochemical parameters such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, lipid peroxidation (LPO), protein oxidation (POD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase, Aldose reductase (AR), were increased, whereas the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and Sorbitol dehydrogenase (SD), soluble protein, and insoluble protein were decreased under diabetic conditions. Oral administration of AV gel extract at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight for 60 days resulted in the prevention of the aforementioned abnormalities. In conclusion, our data demonstrate the protective role of AV leaf extract in inhibiting STZ-induced diabetic oxidative stress, and therefore, this plant could be used as an adjuvant agent for the prevention and/or management of diabetes and aggravated antioxidant status.