Aloe Vera Leaves (Aloe barbadensis Miller) Extract Attenuate Oxidative Stress of Hepatic Tissue in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

2 Abstract: Oxidative stress is suggested as a mechanism underlying diabetes mellitus complications. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Aloe vera leaves (Aloe barbadensis Miller) extract on oxidative stress of hepatic tissue in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) content was measured to assess free radical activity in the liver tissues. The enzymatic activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were measured as indicators of antioxidation in liver tissue. Wistar rats were made diabetic with a single injection of STZ (75 mg/kg i.p.). Rats were randomly separated into four groups, of 10 animals each: Group 1, healthy control rats; Group 2 non-diabetic rats treated with 50 mg/kg b.w./day intraperitoneal injection of Aloe vera extract; Group 3, diabetic rats; Group 4, diabetic rats treated with Aloe vera extract (50 mg/kg b.w./day, i.p.) for 8 weeks. At the end of experiment, MDA contents of the liver tissue in Groups 3 was found to be significantly increased as compared with Group 1 (P<0.05) and liver MDA level in Group 4 were significantly decreased as compared with Group 3 (P<0.05). The GSH, SOD, CAT and GSH-Px contents of the liver in Group 3 were significantly decreased as compared to Groups 1 (P<0.05) and were increased in Group 4 as compared to Group 3 (P<0.05). The results obtained, demonstrated that Aloe vera extract alleviate oxidative stress of hepatic tissue in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.