Effect of Aloe vera leaves on blood glucose level in type I and type II diabetic rat models.
TL;DR: The pulps of Aloe vera leaves devoid of the gel could be useful in the treatment of non‐insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.
Abstract: Aloe vera (L.) Burm. fil. (= A. barbadensis Miller) (Liliaceae) is native to North Africa and also cultivated in Turkey. Aloes have long been used all over the world for their various medicinal properties. In the past 15 years, there have been controversial reports on the hypoglycaemic activity of Aloe species, probably due to differences in the parts of the plant used or to the model of diabetes chosen. In this study, separate experiments on three main groups of rats, namely, non-diabetic (ND), type I (IDDM) and type II (NIDDM) diabetic rats were carried out. A. vera leaf pulp and gel extracts were ineffective on lowering the blood sugar level of ND rats. A. vera leaf pulp extract showed hypoglycaemic activity on IDDM and NIDDM rats, the effectiveness being enhanced for type II diabetes in comparison with glibenclamide. On the contrary, A. vera leaf gel extract showed hyperglycaemic activity on NIDDM rats. It may therefore be concluded that the pulps of Aloe vera leaves devoid of the gel could be useful in the treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
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TL;DR: Traditional medicine in the south-eastern Moroccan population has not only survived but has thrived in the transcultural environment and intermixture of many ethnic traditions and beliefs.
555 citations
TL;DR: This article aims to provide a comprehensive review on various plant species from Indian biosphere and their constituents, which have been shown to display potent hypoglycemic activity.
498 citations
TL;DR: Evidence from animals and humans supports the therapeutic activities of ginseng, berberine and bitter melon, but multi-center large-scale clinical trials have not been conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these herbal medicines.
Abstract: In management of metabolic syndrome, the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an excellent representative in alternative and complementary medicines with a complete theory system and substantial herb remedies. In this article, basic principle of TCM is introduced and 22 traditional Chinese herbs are reviewed for their potential activities in the treatment of metabolic syndrome. Three herbs, ginseng, rhizoma coptidis (berberine, the major active compound) and bitter melon, were discussed in detail on their therapeutic potentials. Ginseng extracts made from root, rootlet, berry and leaf of Panax quinquefolium (American ginseng) and Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng), are proved for anti-hyperglycemia, insulin sensitization, islet protection, anti-obesity and anti-oxidation in many model systems. Energy expenditure is enhanced by ginseng through thermogenesis. Ginseng-specific saponins (ginsenosides) are considered as the major bioactive compounds for the metabolic activities of ginseng. Berberine from rhizoma coptidis is an oral hypoglycemic agent. It also has anti-obesity and anti-dyslipidemia activities. The action mechanism is related to inhibition of mitochondrial function, stimulation of glycolysis, activation of AMPK pathway, suppression of adipogenesis and induction of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor expression. Bitter melon or bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) is able to reduce blood glucose and lipids in both normal and diabetic animals. It may also protect β cells, enhance insulin sensitivity and reduce oxidative stress. Although evidence from animals and humans consistently supports the therapeutic activities of ginseng, berberine and bitter melon, multi-center large-scale clinical trials have not been conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these herbal medicines.
351 citations
TL;DR: A review of the relationship between the isolated aloe vera components and their presumed pharmacologic activities focuses on the glycoproteins, anthraquinones, saccharides, low-molecular-weight substances.
347 citations
TL;DR: The available animal models of diabetes and some in vitro models which have been used as tools to investigate the mechanism of action of drugs with potential antidiabetic properties are reviewed to contribute to the researcher in the ethnopharmacology field to designs new strategies for the development of novel drugs to treat this serious condition.
299 citations
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TL;DR: The present study indicates that even though active regeneration of B-celle occurred after early injury, the capacity for ultimate normalization was limited and the resultant moderate reduction in B-cell number may be associated with a functional defect in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion.
Abstract: Streptozotocin (SZ) was given to 2-day-old neonatal rats, and, during their subsequent development, the interrelationships between plasma glucose, plasma insulin, pancreatic islet morphology, and hormone content were examined. At 4 days of age, a peak of hyperglycemia was observed (SZ, 349 ± 8 mg/dl versus control (C), 127 ± 2) that was associated with a marked reduction of B-cell numbers (SZ, 26.5 ± 2.6% B-cell per islet versus C, 72.8 ± 0.8%). By 10 days of age the SZ animals became normoglycemic with partial recovery of the B-cell number (SZ, 39.6 ± 2.1% versus C, 64.0 ± 2.6%). By 6 weeks hyperglycemia returned (SZ, 345 ± 5.2 mg/dl versus C, 171 ± 6.2) with B-cell number of the SZ being 72% of the C (SZ, 48.8 ± 2.4% versus C, 67.5 ± 1.5%). This hyperglycemia and reduced B-cell number persisted to at least 13 wk age. Despite a marked reduction of pancreatic insulin content observed during development, there was little effect upon glucagon or somatostatin content. At 6 wk of age, the plasma insulin concentration was only 30% of C, which suggests an insulin secretory defect beyond that which could be accounted for by the modest B-cell reduction. The present study indicates that even though active regeneration of B-celle occurred after early injury, the capacity for ultimate normalization was limited. The resultant moderate reduction in B-cell number may be associated with a functional defect in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion.
367 citations
TL;DR: Aloe vera treatment of wounds in diabetic rats may enhance the process of wound healing by influencing phases such as inflammation, fibroplasia, collagen synthesis and maturation, and wound contraction.
295 citations
TL;DR: These hyperglycemic rats have a selective defect in glucosestimulated insulin secretion with preservation of responses to other agents, and abnormalities in the secretion of glucagon and somatostatin have been found.
Abstract: An animal model of diabetes mellitus has been developed in which neonatal rats are injected with streptozotocin at 2 days of age. After transient hyperglycemia followed by near normal glycemia, these animals develop nonketotic diabetes at about 6 wk of age that does not require insulin treatment. Secretion form the endocrine pancreas of 6-15-wk-old rats was evaluated with the isolated, perfused pancreas technique. Insulin secretion responded very poorly to high perfusate glucose concentrations, but in the presence of theophylline this meager response was enhanced. In contrast, arginine elicited an insulin response comparable to that of the control rats. Isoproterenol stimulated insulin secretion more in the diabetic model than in the controls, and tolbutamide failed to evoke insulin secretion. Glucagon secretion in response to arginine and isoproterenol was similar in both groups, but was suppressed less efficiently be glucose in the model than in controls. Evidence for enhanced basal secretion of somatostatin was also found. Thus, these hyperglycemic rats have a selective defect in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion with preservation of responses to other agents. In addition, abnormalities in the secretion of glucagon and somatostatin have been found.
282 citations
TL;DR: Both topical and oral treatments with Aloe vera were found to have a positive influence on the synthesis of GAGs and thereby beneficially modulate wound healing.
222 citations
TL;DR: The acute and chronic effects of the exudate of Aloe barbadensis leaves and its bitter principle were studied on plasma glucose levels of alloxan-diabetic mice and may be mediated through stimulating synthesis and/or release of insulin from the beta-cells of Langerhans.
207 citations