Crude Aloe vera gel Reverses Polyphagia, Polydipsia, Hyperglycemia and Increases Body Weight in Alloxan - Induced Diabetic Rats
Nna Victor Udo *
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Akpan Ubom Paul
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Ofem Effiong Ofem
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Osim Eme Effiom
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: This study was embarked upon to determine the effect of diabetes mellitus on food intake, water intake and body weight, and to ascertain the impact of treatment with crude Aloe vera gel on diabetic animals.
Methodology: The phyto-constituents and median lethal dose of crude Aloe vera gel were determined before administration. 32 albino wistar rats were divided into four groups thus, control, diabetic untreated group (DM), diabetic group treated with crude Aloe vera gel (DMT) and crude Aloe vera gel treated control group. Food intake, water intake, body weight and fasting blood glucose levels were measured during the research work.
Results: Food intake, water intake, and fasting blood glucose levels were significantly (P<0.001) increased in DM group compared to control, DMT and CT group. Body weight was significantly (P<0.001) increased in CT group compared to control. DM group had a significantly (P<0.001) lower body weight compared to control, DMT (P<0.001) and CT (P<0.001) group at the end of the research work. Consequently, the body weight change in DM group was significantly lower (P<0.001) compared to control, DMT and CT group.
Conclusion: Crude Aloe vera gel reversed polyphagia, polydipsia and hyperglycemia in diabetic rats. Additionally, crude Aloe vera gel increased body weight in diabetic rats and can therefore be used to mitigate weight loss in type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Keywords: Aloe vera, blood glucose, body weight, diabetes mellitus