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Identification of Five Phytosterols from Aloe Vera Gel as Antidiabetic Compounds
Abstract
The genus Aloe in the family Liliaceae is a group of plants including Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis MILLER) and Aloe arborescens (Aloe arborescens MILLER var. natalensis BERGER) that are empirically known to have various medical efficacies. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-hyperglycemic effect of Aloe vera gel and isolated a number of compounds from the gel. On the basis of spectroscopic data, these compounds were identified as lophenol, 24-methyl-lophenol, 24-ethyl-lophenol, cycloartanol, and 24-methylene-cycloartanol. These five phytosterols were evaluated for their anti-hyperglycemic effects in type 2 diabetic BKS.Cg-m(+/+)Lepr(db/J) (db/db) mice. In comparison with the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels of vehicle-treated mice, statistically significant decreases of 15 to 18% in HbA1c levels were observed in mice treated with 1 mug of the five phytosterols. Considering the ability to reduce blood glucose in vivo, there were no differences between the five phytosterols. Administration of beta-sitosterol did not reduce the blood glucose levels in db/db mice. After administration of the five phytosterols for 28 d, fasting blood glucose levels decreased to approximately 64%, 28%, 47%, 51%, and 55% of control levels, respectively. Severe diabetic mice treated with phytosterols derived from Aloe vera gel did not suffer weight reduction due to glucose loss in the urine. These findings suggest that Aloe vera gel and phytosterols derived from Aloe vera gel have a long-term blood glucose level control effect and would be useful for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
... We also examine the main researches done on the synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles utilizing various aloe vera extracts. Tanaka et al. (2006) 2. The plant ...
... Among aloe vera components, photosterols such as lophenol, 24-methyl-lophenol, 24-ethyl-lophenol, cycloartanol, and 24methylene-cycloartan had an anti-hyperglycemic effect (Tanaka et al., 2006). Aloe vera extracts allows also a decrease in hepatic transaminases, plasma and tissue, cholesterol, triglycerides, and also an improvement in plasma insulin and also lessens other diabetes-related problems including heart disease and blindness (Rajasekaran et al., 2006). ...
In this review, we delve into the chemical composition of the aloe vera plant, with a particular focus on its bioactive components, namely polyphenols and flavonoids. Our exploration extends to various extraction techniques employed to procure aloe vera extracts rich in bioactive compounds. These methods encompass diverse solvents and innovative approaches such as Soxhlet, ultrasound, and microwave extraction. Furthermore, we meticulously examine the diverse biological activities attributed to aloe vera, considering its well-established efficacy against numerous ailments. Lastly, we scrutinize the expanding role of aloe vera extracts in nanoparticle synthesis. The plant's abundance in compounds that serve as both reducing agents and stabilizers in nanoparticle formation is a focal point. We explore the applications of aloe vera extracts in the synthesis of nanoparticle synthesis, highlighting its potential contributions to this rapidly evolving field.
... The results also showed a significant decrease in the CRP level (0.056 ± 0.0027 mg/dL) (P = 0.04) in the group received 200 mg of Aloe vera extract. This finding agrees with the results of other studies (34)(35)(36)(37). This result suggests that oral supplementation of Aloe vera significantly reduced the serum CRP level in rats received 200 mg of the extract. ...
... This result suggests that oral supplementation of Aloe vera significantly reduced the serum CRP level in rats received 200 mg of the extract. This finding agrees with the findings of a previous study (36) which also found that oral supplementation of Aloe vera could significantly reduce the serum level of CRP. The exact underlying mechanisms for the Aloe-induced changes in the CRP level are not known. ...
Background: It has been known for centuries that plants and plant-derived chemicals are useful in treating diseases, with Aloe vera being one of the biologically active plants. A significant role is played by the C-reactive protein (CRP) in many inflammatory conditions, while leukocytes play an integral role in the
response of the immune system to infectious diseases.
Objectives: This study explored the potential anti-inflammatory effects of Aloe vera methanolic extract on the total white blood cell (TWBC) count and CRP levels in Wistar rats received formalin.
Methods: A total of 25 Wistar rats were divided into five groups (A to E), with group A serving as the control and the other groups receiving formalin to induce inflammation, followed by increasing doses of Aloe vera extract. The CRP level was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit, and the
TWBC count was determined using a Sysmex haematology auto-analyzer.
Results: Research findings showed that 200 mg of Aloe vera methanolic extract effectively reduced the CRP level (0.056 ± 0.0027) (P = 0.04), while 600 mg of the extract significantly increased the TWBC count (13.920 ± 4.757) (P = 0.03).
Conclusion: These findings suggest that Aloe vera extract may be an effective natural supplement for improving the immune system function and reducing inflammation in the body. However, further research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms for these effects and to determine the optimal doses and potential side effects.
... Generally, anti-diabetic drugs will control blood glucose levels in two ways including action and metabolism. The liver converts In-vivo using mice They can decrease blood glucose levels at long-term effects with decreased levels is approximately 64%, 28%, 47%, 51%, and 55% of control levels, respectively [11] Andrographis paniculata Andrographolide Isolated active compounds ...
... Aloe vera extract will increase insulin secretion, which can control blood glucose levels [33]. Reference [11] Tanaka et al. isolated successfully five phytosterols from this herbal that are potentially reducing blood glucose levels. Furthermore, Andrographis paniculata is a herbal candidate for anti-diabetes. ...
Herbal utilization, as an antidiabetes agent, is an interesting topic to find acceptable herbal drugs to decrease blood glucose levels. The aim of this review is to evaluate the potency of selected herbal medicines to reduce blood glucose levels and to identify the chemical compounds responsible for reducing glucose. The mechanisms of action of different herbal medicines used might be also different. The reduction of blood glucose levels by Aloe vera, Andrographis paniculata, and Trigonella foenum-graecum through minimum 3 mechanisms of action, such as increased GLP-1 secretion and inhibited amylase, glucosidase, and SGLT 2. While Andrographis paniculata has more than 4 mechanisms of action, such as increasing GLP secretion, activating PPAR ɣ-receptor, and also inhibiting amylase, glucosidase, and SGLT 2 but it did not inhibit DPP 4 in diabetic patients.
... Aloe vera, a succulent plant has a long history of use by many cultures because of its medicinal properties (Sahu et al., 2013). The anti-diabetic potential of A. vera have been studied by various researchers (Rajasekaran et al., 2004;Tanaka et al., 2006), wherein, administration of different preparations results in a significant decrease in plasma glucose levels in different models (Beppu et al., 2006). The antihyperglycemic potential of A. vera was suggested to be mediated via increased insulin synthesis and its secretion, attenuation of oxidative damage, and the associated pancreatic β-cell destruction (Boudreau and Beland, 2006). ...
... The alcoholic extract of whole fruit improved islets significantly and blood glucose levels remained static even after discontinuation of the drug for 15 days (Singh et al., 2008). The regeneration/renewal property of the extract was also demonstrated in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits (Tahira and Hussain, 2014) and Sprague-Dawley neonatal rats (Abdollahi et al., 2011) where oral administration alleviated pancreatic damage and increased the number of β-cells. In STZ-induced diabetic rats, MC extract upregulated the expression of Insulin and Pdx-1 genes while decreasing the expression of glucose transporter-2 (GLUT2) and the number and size of pancreatic islets increased significantly (Malekshahi et al., 2019). ...
... Phytosterols may have hypolipidemic effects because they are not prevalently absorbed from the intestine and can bind to cholesterol and prevent its absorption. A. vera gel containing sterols was known to be possibly involved in brown adipose tissue (BAT) activation in high-fat diet treated mice, and the treated group had increased expression of Ucp1, Adrb3, and Cidea in comparison to the untreated group, implying that anti-obesity potential of sterols from A. vera in diet-induced model is partially contributed by BAT adipogenesis [27]. ...
... It has been demonstrated that A. vera reduces visceral fat accumulation, and phytosterols derived from A. vera gel extract can mitigate hyperlipidaemia and total abdominal fat tissue weight [26]. Further, aloe sterols were found to be involved in brown adipose tissue adipogenesis, and the treated group had higher levels of uncoupling protein-1 (Ucp1) expression than the untreated group [27]. The AMP-activated protein kinase plays an important role in glucose and fatty oxidation. ...
Dyslipidemia is a common feature of type 2 diabetes mellitus and is characterised by elevated triglyceride, decreased HDL cholesterol, and increased small dense LDL cholesterol levels. The underlying causes appears to be associated with insulin resistance, increased free fatty acid reflux, and low-grade inflammation, resulting in increased hepatic lipogenesis, and altered lipoprotein metabolism. Improved glycaemic control has been shown to have a positive effect on lipoprotein levels in diabetics. This can be achieved through medications/therapeutics and life style changes. Several classes of pharmacologic agents are currently in use to treat dyslipidemia. However, they may have dangerous long-term side effects, including an increased risk of liver dysfunction, weight gain, and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, stronger alternatives with fewer side effects are required to reduce the diabetes associated complications. Many secondary plant metabolites have been shown to improve glucose homeostasis and lower lipid levels. Aloe vera and its constituents have long been used in a traditional medicine system for a diverse range of biological activities, including hypoglycaemic, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing effects through various mechanisms and they have been covered well in literature. However, studies on the potential role of Aloe vera in the treatment of diabetic dyslipidemia are scanty. Therefore, in this systematic review, we focussed on the potential effect of Aloe vera and its active components in alleviating diabetic dyslipidemia, as well as their mechanism of action in pre-clinical and clinical studies.
... Beyond its well-known applications in skincare, Aloe vera has shown promise in various other areas of health and wellness. For example, research has indicated its possible antibacterial [10,11], anti-diabetic [12], antioxidant [13], anti-inflammatory [14], wound-healing [15], hepatoprotective [16], and even anticancer applications [17], highlighting the plant's versatility and potential in modern medicine and healthcare. ...
Aloe vera has garnered significant scientific and commercial attention due to its multifaceted therapeutic and cosmetic potential. This study aimed to investigate the biological effects and molecular mechanisms of Aloe vera phytoplacenta extract (AVPE) on HaCaT cells and skin health. To achieve this, we investigated AVPE, produced using advanced in vitro cell culture techniques, and its effects on HaCaT cells. At 2% concentration, AVPE demonstrated remarkable biological effects, increasing AQP3 protein expression by 120% and healing area fourfold while simultaneously reducing COX-2 messenger RNA (mRNA) by 43% and iNOS mRNA by 48%. An AVPE-containing product notably reduced facial skin temperature to 24.9 °C compared to 32.3 °C for the control product. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of transcriptional changes in HaCaT cells after AVPE treatment revealed 14 upregulated and 58 downregulated RNAs. Upregulated processes included response to hydrogen peroxide and muscle cell migration, while downregulated processes involved cell–cell adhesion and synaptic transmission. Pathway analysis further highlighted significant metabolic changes, including upregulation of pentose phosphate and galactose metabolism pathways and downregulation of the leishmaniasis and GABAergic synapse pathways. In addition, gene expression data indicated subtle changes in epidermal differentiation genes, modulation of inflammatory markers, and alterations in genes related to cell signaling and skin-specific functions. Our comprehensive findings underscore AVPE’s potential in enhancing skin healing, regulating temperature, and modulating cellular processes.
... Five phytosterols have been isolated from Aloe vera gel based on their ability to decrease the HbA1c level in a mouse model (db/db) of type 2 DM. Each of the phytosterols, namely lophenol, 24-methyl-lophenol, 24-ethyl-lophenol, cycloartenol, and 24methylene-cycloartanol, was shown to significantly decrease fasting blood glucose levels in the db/db mice compared to controls at a dose of 1μg/day (Tanaka et al. 2006). Phytosterols are not extensively absorbed from the intestine but can bind cholesterol and prevent it from being absorbed (Ralph and Provan, 2000). ...
Aloe vera is a traditional remedy for diabetes mellitus (DM) in many parts of the world, including Latin America and the Arabian Peninsula. Some evidence in humans and animals suggests that Aloe vera is able to alleviate the chronic hyperglycemia and perturbed lipid profile that are characteristic of DM, which are major risk factors for cardiovascular complications in the disease. Aloe vera gel to streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats resulted in significant reductions in fasting blood glucose. Conversely, Aloe vera gel was reported to increase plasma glucose levels in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. More recently, the antidiabetic effects of processed Aloe vera gel were investigated in mice exhibiting diet-induced obesity (DIO), an animal model that has been shown to demonstrate metabolic abnormalities that closely resemble those found in human noninsulin-dependent DM, including hyperglycemia, obesity, and insulin resistance. Oral administration of the gel reduced circulating blood glucose concentrations to a normal level, significantly decreased plasma insulin, and lowered triglyceride levels in the liver and plasma of the DIO mice. Similarly, Aloe vera gel extract has been shown to normalize the fasting blood glucose and plasma insulin levels and reduce the concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids in the plasma, liver, and kidney of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Aloe-emodin has been suggested to have antiangiogenic properties; it has been demonstrated to be a potent inhibitor of urokinase secretion and tubule formation of endothelial cells, both key events in angiogenesis. Phytosterols have been shown to lower plasma cholesterol concentrations, including the atherogenic LDL fraction action by which Aloe vera modulates blood glucose are unknown, but it has been suggested that it may interact with insulin. It has been hypothesized that Aloe stimulates insulin synthesis or its release from pancreatic β cells. Processed Aloe vera gel was found to suppress the expression of the adipogenic genes SREBP-1a, FAS, and GPAT, suggesting that the gel improves insulin resistance by the reducing toxic effects of lipids in the liver.The Natural Standard Research Collaboration further concluded that the oral use of Aloe vera gel for its potential hypoglycemic effects and the short-term use of oral Aloe latex as a laxative are possibly safe; however, prolonged use of the latex is likely to be unsafe due to a theoretical risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Tumor-promoting and antimutagenic activities have been ascribed to the latex of Aloe vera. Phototoxicity of aloe-emodin has been demonstrated in animal studies; however, phototoxicity was not observed in several clinical studies in humans using amounts of aloe-emodin that are commonly found in commercially available Aloe vera preparations. Aloe vera gel has been shown to enhance vitamin C and E’s bioavailability in a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Aloe vera gel has been shown to significantly increase the transport of insulin in a cell model, and limited information suggests that if co-administered, it may also enhance the intestinal absorption of other poorly absorbed drugs.
... Aloe niebuhriana, belonging to the family Aloeaceae, is an indigenous species of Arabian Peninsula [13]. Similar to Aloe vera, a widely recognized Aloe species, A. niebuhriana has a traditional application for treating multiple ailments such as hypertension, constipation, gastrointestinal parasites, and skin diseases as well as diabetes [14]. Previous research indicates that A. niebuhriana contains anthraglycoside, bitter principles, alkaloid, favonoid, saponin, coumarins, aldehydes, phenols, tannins, and phytosterols. ...
Background: Ethnomedicine exhibits potential in developing afordable efective antidiabetic agents. Aim: Tis work aimed to explore the antidiabetic properties of Aloe niebuhriana latex extract both in vivo, utilizing alloxan-induced diabetic rats, and in vitro, through α-amylase enzyme testing. Additionally, it sought to formulate optimal efervescent granules derived from the extract. Methods: Te α-amylase inhibition assay was performed using the α-amylase kit using biochemical analyzers. Experimental diabetes was induced in animals with alloxan. On Day 14 postdiabetes induction, body weight, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profle parameters were determined. Also, six efervescent granule preparations of the extract were formulated using wet granulation. Based on its physical and organoleptic properties, a formulation was selected and optimized. Results: Te extract displayed modest α-amylase inhibition, with an IC 50 value of 439.2 μg/mL. Both doses of A. niebuhriana extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) signifcantly reduced blood glucose level compared to their respective Day 1 levels (p < 0.001). Moreover, the extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg signifcantly normalized lipid profle compared to the diabetic control groups (p < 0.05 − 0.001). Six formulations containing the extract were prepared (F1-F6), and F6 containing 200 mg of the extract was selected for optimization due to its favorable odor, taste, foaming, and efervescent properties, high solubility, and absence of turbidity and adhesion. Te formulated F6 granules successfully met the quality parameters assessed including fow time, pH efervescent time, angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, Carr's index, and Hausner's ratio. Conclusion: Tis study highlights the antidiabetic potential of A. niebuhriana latex extract, potentially attributed to its hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, and α-amylase inhibitory efects. Te successful formulation and evaluation of the extract as efervescent granules suggest its potential as an antidiabetic drug.
... Aloe niebuhriana, belonging to the family Aloeaceae, is an indigenous species of Arabian Peninsula [13]. Similar to Aloe vera, a widely recognized Aloe species, A. niebuhriana has a traditional application for treating multiple ailments such as hypertension, constipation, gastrointestinal parasites, and skin diseases as well as diabetes [14]. Previous research indicates that A. niebuhriana contains anthraglycoside, bitter principles, alkaloid, favonoid, saponin, coumarins, aldehydes, phenols, tannins, and phytosterols. ...
Background: Ethnomedicine exhibits potential in developing affordable effective antidiabetic agents.
Aim: This work aimed to explore the antidiabetic properties of Aloe niebuhriana latex extract both in vivo, utilizing alloxan-induced diabetic rats, and in vitro, through α-amylase enzyme testing. Additionally, it sought to formulate optimal effervescent granules derived from the extract.
Methods: The α-amylase inhibition assay was performed using the α-amylase kit using biochemical analyzers. Experimental diabetes was induced in animals with alloxan. On Day 14 postdiabetes induction, body weight, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profile parameters were determined. Also, six effervescent granule preparations of the extract were formulated using wet granulation. Based on its physical and organoleptic properties, a formulation was selected and optimized.
Results: The extract displayed modest α-amylase inhibition, with an IC50 value of 439.2 μg/mL. Both doses of A. niebuhriana extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly reduced blood glucose level compared to their respective Day 1 levels (p<0.001). Moreover, the extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg significantly normalized lipid profile compared to the diabetic control groups (p<0.05−0.001). Six formulations containing the extract were prepared (F1–F6), and F6 containing 200 mg of the extract was selected for optimization due to its favorable odor, taste, foaming, and effervescent properties, high solubility, and absence of turbidity and adhesion. The formulated F6 granules successfully met the quality parameters assessed including flow time, pH effervescent time, angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, Carr’s index, and Hausner’s ratio.
Conclusion: This study highlights the antidiabetic potential of A. niebuhriana latex extract, potentially attributed to its hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, and α-amylase inhibitory effects. The successful formulation and evaluation of the extract as effervescent granules suggest its potential as an antidiabetic drug.
... Histamine is released in many allergic reactions and causes intense itching and pain. [12][13][14][15] JETIR2208064 Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR) www.jetir.org a504 ...
... Aloe vera belongs to the genus Aloe, order Asparagales and Family Asphodelaceae (11). This plant is suitable for subtropical climates and grows in different countries as well as in southern parts of Iran (such as Bushehr, Hormozgan and Balochestan provinces) (12,13). A. vera leaves can be divided into two main parts: the outer green shell, which contains the vascular bundles, and the inner colorless parenchyma (pulp), which contains the A. vera gel. ...
... Reduced hepatic glucose synthesis is the outcome of this action, which is thought to be primarily mediated by AMPK and PPAR receptors. It is also accompanied by a reduction of PEPCK and G6P expressions or suppression of ACC and FAS enzymatic activity [20]. This shows the antidiabetic effect of Aloe vera. ...
... Moreover, the antihyperglycemic effect caused by SeF3 sterols has already been reported in diabetic mice [37,38], as well as the improvement of glucose tolerance in obese Zucker rats [39], which counteracts MetS. The antidepressant effect caused by these sterols detected in SeF3 has also been previously described. ...
Salvia elegans Vahl is a plant commonly used in Mexico as a remedy for nervous disorders, inflammatory diseases, and “ringing in the ears”; the latter can be associated with arteriosclerotic conditions and arterial hypertension. Therefore, based on medicinal use, this work aimed to evaluate the hydroalcoholic extract (SeHA, 100 mg/kg) of this plant and two fractions, ethyl acetate (SeFAc, 50 mg/kg), and obtained from SeFAc fractionation denominated SeF3 (10 mg/kg), on several alterations derived from metabolic syndrome (MetS) derived from the ingestion of a high-calorie diet (high-fat diet), in ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) mice, leading to chronic inflammation that results in neurological damage such as depression. Therefore, several MetS-related parameters, such as forced swim tests, hypertension, serum corticosterone levels, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, adiposity index, and insulin resistance, will be evaluated. Additionally, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 levels were measured in kidneys, fat tissue, brains, and spleens. It was proven that all those S. elegans-derived treatments reversed the damage, showing antidepressant, antihypertensive, antihyperglycemic, and antidyslipidemic effects and decreased adiposity, insulin resistance, and serum corticosterone. They induced a modulatory response by modifying the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 in different organs. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the acetate of ethyl fraction from S. elegans (SeFAc) fraction revealed the presence of rosmarinic and caffeic acids as well as flavonoids, while the fraction from SeFAc called SeF3 Was identified by gas mass as methyl glucose, glycerol, and known sterols, among others. Thus, it was concluded that S. elegans protects against the harmful effects of MetS.
... The research studies conducted on Aloe vera plant have revealed that through strengthening the T-lymphocyte cells of the blood, it is able to heal the wounds and improve immunity. 16 Tanaka et al. identified five phytosterols of Aloe vera which have the property to act against diabetes and reported its consequence on hyperglycemia and hyperlipedemia using animal studies. 17 Numerous studies have elucidated the antagonistic activity of Aloe vera against fungi, virus and bacteria. ...
Aloe vera is very known herb due to its multiple uses in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. It is known as Ghritkumari or Kumari in Ayurvedic literature and indicated for the treatment of various diseases such as jwara (fever), shula (colic), agnimandya (indigestion), krimiroga (worm infestation), spleenomegaly, liver disorder, skin disease, burn etc. It is also used as powerful detoxifier vishaghana (detoxifier) and rasayana (immune-booster). Today, it is used frequently as a solo drug as well as an essential ingredient of numerous compound formulations and prescriptions of Ayurvedic medicine as well as modern medicine. Aloe vera has various phytochemicals such as Lignins, saponins, anthraquinones, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, enzymes and sugars etc, which have eminent significance in different areas of medicine. Aloevera has various numbers of pharmacological activities and many beneficial effects on human body. In some laboratory studies it also has been shown antimicrobial and anticancer effect. The objective of this article is to reorient the knowledge and information about Aloevera in classical texts as well as modern science. This article highlights synonyms, pharmacodynamics, therapeutic actions and uses, and different formulations of Aloe vera as described in Ayurvedic literature with special reference of Nighantus. The present study also attempts to describe phytochemistry and biological activities of A. vera and makes an effort to update our current knowledge on this plant.
... One of the possible hypocholesterolemic action of phytosterol is the physical competition between phytosterols and cholesterol for incorporation into micelles, which compromises cholesterol absorption [26]. In addition, phytosterol has antidiabetic property, for example, aloe vera-derived phytosterols ameliorated hyperglycemia in treated db/db type 2 diabetic mice [27]. Since these reasons, plant resources containing phytosterols have drawn attention as a therapeutic dietary option to reduce the risk of metabolic diseases. ...
Background/objectives:
Okra seed is a rich source of various nutritional and bioactive constituents, but its mechanism of action is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluated the effects on glucose uptake and serum lipid profiles of unsaponifiable matter (USM) from okra seed in adipocytes and diabetic animal models.
Materials/methods:
USM was prepared from okra seed powder by saponification. The contents of phytosterols and vitamin E in USM were measured. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured for 6 days with different concentrations of USM (0-200 μg/mL). The diabetic rats were administered with or without USM for 5 wk.
Results:
In the USM, the contents of phytosterols and vitamin E were 394.13 mg/g USM and 31.16 mg/g USM, respectively. USM showed no cytotoxicity and led to an approximately 1.4-fold increase in glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The treatment of USM also increased the expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and glucose transporter-4 in a dose-dependent manner in adipocytes. The body weight change was not significantly different in all diabetic rats. However, blood glucose and the weights of liver and adipose tissues were significantly reduced compared to those in the control diabetic rats. Treatment with USM decreased the levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared to the control group. The USM group also showed significantly decreased atherogenic indices and cardiac risk factors.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that USM from okra seed improves the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects in diabetic rats, and provides valuable information for improving the functional properties of okra seed.
... It has also been reported that, there are number of plant extracts showed anti-diabetic properties by showing the mechanisms like Aloe vera extract30,31,32,33 . Some of the literature also showed that the constituents of Aloe vera have anti diabetic and other pharmacological activities[34][35][36][37][38] . ...
Fresh Aloe vera plant leaves were brought from botanical garden and sample was identified and brought to the laboratory in the Department of Zoology, Patkar-Varde College, Goregaon (W), Mumbai. 50 grams of leaves were then grounded with 50ml of distilled water in sterilized pestle and mortar. The yield was being calculated based on weight of the extract compared to the weight of the pulp of the leaves. Forty eight (48) Sprague-dawley rats (average weight 150-250 g) of either sex were used for the experiment. The drugs ETH and PAS drug and Aloe vera juice were given to respective groups daily for 28 days. At the end of study animals were dissected and various tissues/ glands were processed for their histological studies. From the histology study, it was found that the anti-tuberculosis drugs ETH and PAS induced toxicity in male and female Sprague-dawley rats by disturbing the histological structure from minimal to mild changes in the histoarchetecture of lungs, Heart and Kidneys of male and female Sprague-dawley rats either independently or in combination. It was also found that when the anti-tuberculosis drugs ETH and PAS co-administered with Aloe vera juice found amelioration of the histoarchetecture of lungs, Heart and Kidneys of male and female Sprague-dawley to normal. It was also found that, the rats treated with ETH and PAS drugs independently or in combination with Aloe vera juice, no histoarchetectural changes were observed in Brain, Pancreas, Spleen, testes, and ovaries of rat. Thus, it confirms the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and free scavenging property of Aloe vera juice to protect the histological structures of the different organs and glands of Sprague-dawley rat.
... It is a succulent herb which grows in many countries (Mahor and Ali 2016). Aloe vera excretions have been used for several medical and cosmetic applications since ancient times (Tanaka et al. 2006). The gel of A. vera has different biological and physiological activities. ...
This study aimed to evaluate the bioherbicidal effect of aqueous fresh extracts of leaves and roots of the Aloe vera plant on the broad leaf weed growth of Sonchus oleraceus associated faba bean plants. During the winters of 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, two pot experiments were carried out in the greenhouse of the National Research Center. Leaf and root aqueous extracts of Aloe vera were applied as soil and/or spray treatments at different concentrations. The results showed that there was significant inhibition in the fresh and dry biomass of S. oleraceus and was maximum with application of soil treatment (10%) of the leaf extract sequenced by spraying leaf extract at 20%. Furthermore, the inhibition of the weed growth was accompanied by an increase in the growth and yield of faba bean. The results indicated that phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins and saponins were present in the leaf extract, and there were smaller amounts of tannins and saponins in the root extract than in the leaf extract. Total phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids in the leaf extract was more than three times that of the root extract. The results also revealed that the presence of higher concentrations of natural substances in the leaf extract than in the root extracts gave it its efficiency in inhibiting the growth of S. oleraceus weeds.
... Selain itu, lidah buaya juga memiliki kandungan metabolit sekunder seperti kromiun dan alprogen yang bersifat hipoglikemik (Pertiwi & Rahayuningsih, 2012). Penelitian lain menunjukkan bahwa lidah buaya memiliki kandungan phytosterol yang memiliki potensi sebagai senyawa anti-diabetes (Tanaka et al., 2006). Selain itu, kandungan niasin atau vitamin B3 dalam lidah buaya diduga dapat mengurangi asam lemak bebas dengan menghambat enzim hormon sensitif lipase (Maulidina & Kusumastuti, 2014). ...
Staphylococcus aureus merupakan salah satu bakteri yang dapat menyebabkan penyakit infeksi pada kulit, salah satunya adalah penyakit luka bernanah. Lidah buaya (Aloe vera L.) termasuk kedalam famili asphodelaceae yang merupakan salah satu tanaman yang diketahui memiliki senyawa antibakteri. Penelitian dilakukan secara eksperimental. Variabel bebas yaitu konsentrasi daging daun lidah buaya 20%,30% dan 40%. Dan konsentrasi salep daging daun lidah buaya 20%, 30%; dan 40%. Variabel terikat yaitu aktivitas antibakteri sediaan salep daging daun lidah buaya terhadap bakteri staphylococcus aureus pada penyembuhan luka bernanah, dan evaluasi mutu sediaan salep daging daun lidah buaya. Hasil nilai Zone of Inhibition (ZOI) antibakteri daging daun lidah buaya terhadap staphylococcus aureus sebesar 8,1 mm (konsentrasai 20%); 8,5 mm (konsentrasi 30%); dan 10,5 mm (konsentrasi 40%). Nilai ZOI antibakteri salep daging daun lidah buaya terhadap staphylococcus aureus sebesar 10,6 mm (F1 20%); 11,5 mm (F2 30%); dan 12,5 mm (F3 40%). Hasil uji pada luka bernanah pada hewan uji tikus mendapatkan skor penyembuhan sedang pada F1, F2, F3 dan K+ (gentamicin sulfate 0,1%) kuat, sehingga dapat dikatakan bahwa sediaan salep daging daun lidah buaya dapat menghambat pertumbuhan antibakteri pada penyembuhan luka bernanah meskipun dengan kategori sedang dibandingkan dengan Gentamicin salep 0,1% dengan kategori kuat (sensitif).
... Aloe vera exhibits various pharmacological properties (Table 1), such as anti-inflammatory (Langmead et al., 2004;Yagi et al., 2002) antibacterial (Nejatzadeh-Barandozi, 2013;Danish et al., 2020), and wound healing (Davis et al., 1989;Maenthaisong et al., 2007), antioxidant (Hu et al., 2003;Hęś et al., 2019), laxative (Manvitha and Bidya, 2014;Surjushe et al., 2008), immunomodulatory (Madan et al., 2008;Kwon et al., 2011), anti-diabetic (Tanaka et al., 2006;Atanu et al., 2018), skin protective (Foster, 1999;Gao et al., 2019) and potential anti-cancer effects (Karpagam et al., 2019;Murugesan et al., 2021) making it a versatile plant with medicinal potential. It has been employed in the pharmaceutical industry to manufacture topical drug products, ointments, gel preparations, tablets, and capsules (Manvitha and Bidya 2014). ...
... As signified by the few scientific research papers it indicated there is an increased attention among pharmacologist, microbiologist, botanist, natural product chemists and biochemist to explore the drugs and dietary supplements form medicinal plants for newer phytochemicals. [54] Most of these research trials cover the areas of extraction, isolation, purification, detection of bio-analytical methodology, and characterization of the bioactive principles of chemical compounds. However, there will be more research efforts are keeping on herbal medicine, which aim to describe their molecular structures, probable mechanism of action and toxicological properties respectively. ...
... Occurrence of Polyphenols makes Aloe vera a renowned plant for harmonizing blood glucose and therefore used for treating diabetes mellitus. 18 Several studies have shown formation of free radicals during diabetes that result in glucose autoxidation. All these processes cause damage to body organs and systems. ...
Background: The interest of using medicinal plants is getting publicity now a day. This may be due to the increased awareness regarding pharmaceutical products made synthetically and about side effects that occurs by using them against specific disease. One such medicinal plant i.e., Aloe vera holds many properties like healing of wounds. Curing joints pain, treating peptic ulcers and digestive problems, wounds and cuts are healed by employing Aloe on it. Aloe vera holds ability to work against inflammatory responses as well as being antifungal, antibacterial, anti-tumor, and anti-cancerous properties due to presence of active compounds.
Objective: The purpose of conducting this study was to estimate the effect of dried Aloe vera gel powder on blood glucose level of diabetic (Type-I and Type-II) patients.
Methodology: The current study was conducted in the National Institute of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Food Nutrition and Home Sciences at University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Aloe vera (Aloe Barbadensis) for present study was obtained from Botanical Garden, Dept. of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. All materials were procured in fresh unprocessed form. The stems were thoroughly washed with tap water and gelt was obtained from the stems by slicing and then dried in an air circulating oven in the laboratory. Among phytochemical testing two tests were carried out involving total phenolics content and total flavonoids content. These tests confirmed the presence of active compounds in Aloe gel. Aloe vera gel in its dry form had antioxidant effects and possess poly phenols and phytosterols that play important role in maintaining blood sugar level between Type-II patients.
Conclusion: It was concluded that Aloe vera is effective for maintaining blood glucose to a great extent, but its response varied between Type-I and Type-II patients. Drastic change in blood glucose concentration was observed in patients who fall under the category of NIDDM. While there is a least effect among patients of IDDM.
... Phytosterols have reported antidiabetic and anticancer [187][188][189][190][191][192][193]. ...
Plants owe their various pharmacological properties to their active phytochemical components. Phytochemicals are bioactive chemicals or secondary metabolites products of plants, which play important roles in plant defense mechanisms. The major groups of these compounds, also known to be very protective in humans and animals, include phytosterols, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids, carotenoids, aromatic acids, organic acids, essential oils and protease in-hibitors. These phytochemicals have demonstrated significant antioxidant activities through scavenging free radicals, quenching ROS, and inhibiting oxidative enzymes. They play important roles against the initiation, formation and sustenance of oxidative stress. Apart from their roles in oxidative stress, some phytochemicals are known to have direct specific antidiabetic and anti-cancer activities, and modulate the signal transduction pathways common to both diseases. The aim of this review is to describe the antidiabetic and anticancer dual-roles of these phytochemicals, and highlight their importance in the management of diabetic patients with concurrent cancer illness and cancer patients with glucose intolerance. This review equally aims to compare the intended use of these phytochemicals as adjuncts or alternatives to conventional antidiabetics and anticancer agents. Research Article
... Aloe barbadensis, commonly known as aloe vera, is the most enormously used type among the 360 found aloe species. The aloe specie is a succulent plant that belongs to the Liliaceae family [11]. For the therapeutic utilization of aloe vera, the International Aloe Science Council, IASC, has considered the three most-used components of the aloe plant, that includes: i) leaf juice, ii) inner-leaf juice, and iii) aloelatex [12]. ...
Engulfing almost 537 million people, the most commonly occurring metabolic disorder, diabetes mellitus, is emerging as an epidemic worldwide. Diabetes mellitus is identified as a heterogeneous pathological condition that is marked by extreme hyperglycemic (glucose) levels caused by reduced insulin sensitivity. Synthetic antidiabetic medications are widely commercialized but have slowly expressed several inevitable side effects and limitations in treated diabetic subjects. Researchers have been exploring herbal medicine due to its esteemed therapeutic effects. WHO have enlisted almost 21,000 herbal components that have established therapeutic benefit. Several herbs, most of them widely available, have been studied to extract their active phytoconstituents that have effective diabetes management potential with the least risk factor for side effects and acute toxicity. Though acceptable standardization, awareness, and clinical trials are yet to be established before mainstreaming herbal formulation, preclinical studies have confirmed the higher safety and efficacy of several extracted phytoconstituents and formulation in comparative analysis with synthetic products. The authors have also discussed their opinions with regard to the vast usability of herbal components along with the multi-target functionality of several phytoconstituents, as well as the challenges faced for standardizing, formulating, and marketing herbal medicines. Other than this, several cases of clinical trials showing effectivity of herbal antidiabetic aid are mentioned. In this review, an attempt has been made to summarize the potential anti-diabetic herbs, marketed herbal formulations, and patented formulations that have established therapeutic prospects to downregulate diabetic conditions.
... E. italicum root contains antioxidant compounds including shikonin and pyrrolizidine alkaloid (Koca et al. 2012;Fuyu & Ruifa 2012). E. italicum seeds have exhibited anticancer, antiradical, and antimicrobial activities because of the presence of phytosterol and are used in the treatment of diseases such as diabetes (Tanaka et al. 2006). ...
The evolution of bacterial strains with greater resistance to conventional antibiotics has led to the use of new generations of antibiotics. This research aimed to investigate the antiradical and antibacterial properties of a methanol extract from the aerial and underground parts and seeds of Echium altissimum (Syn. Echium italicum) on pathogenic bacteria. The samples (i.e., aerial and underground parts and seeds) of E. altissimum were collected from Urmia, Iran. The antibacterial properties were analyzed by agar well diffusion assay. In addition, the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations were measured by the serial dilution method. However, the phenolic and flavonoid contents were obtained by the Folin-Ciocalteu and Aluminum chloride methods, respectively. Furthermore, free radical scavenging activity was measured by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. The most susceptible was obtained for Micrococcus luteus on the seed methanol extract of E. altissimum. Next, the IC50 of the aerial and underground parts and seeds were determined as 0.1054, 0.1278, and 0.1508 mg mL-1 , respectively. The methanol extract of seed exhibited a MIC of 0.75 mg mL-1 against M. luteus. Lastly, the highest phenol and flavonoid contents were determined as 246.12 (mgGA/g) and 6.29 (mgQ/g) from the seed methanol extract. The major compounds were determined to be rosmarinic acid (28.36%) and myricitrin (12.38%). In general, E. altissimum exhibited antibacterial and antioxidant activity and is therefore suggested for producing natural antibiotics and rare drugs, especially anti-infective drugs for the pharmaceutical science.
... The IC 50 value of the methanolic extracts of K. pinnata indicated that the extracts are more efficient in inhibiting alpha-glucosidase activity than the regular standard anti-diabetic drugs such as Acarbose (George et al., 2018). Some findings suggested that Aloe vera gel and phytosterols derived from Aloe vera gel have a longterm blood glucose level control effect and it can be used as a treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (Tanaka et al., 2006). Clinical trials that have been done with diabetic Mellitus patients reveal that the treatment with aloe juice and glibenclamide together produced a significant decrease in blood sugar levels within two weeks (Bunyapraphatsara. ...
Medicinal plants have a good potency in preventing and curing diseases. This study was done to develop a functional Ready-to-drink beverage from Kalanchoe pinnata (Akkapana) leaf and Aloe vera gel with antiurolithiatic, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Sensory evaluation was conducted for different formulations with different volume ratios of K. pinnata and Aloe vera. Among those formulations, the highest sensory scores were obtained for flavor and overall acceptability in 70:30 (v/v %) of K. pinnata and Aloe vera. That formulation was selected as the final beverage for further analysis. Proximate composition and antinutritional factors were respectively analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Physiochemical properties in the final beverage were analyzed. Methanolic extracts of the above plant samples and final beverage were analyzed for evaluating the functional properties such as total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC), carotene content (TC), antiurolithiatic, antioxidative, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Tannin was detectable in both plant materials while Saponin and Alkaloids were only present in K. pinnata. K. pinnata exhibited the highest TPC (1.3141 mg GAE/g dw), TFC (0.7364 mg RE/g dw) and TC (32.8049 mg/g dw) compared to Aloe vera. The highest DPPH inhibition (80.26%) and α-Amylase inhibition (23.33%) were shown by K. pinnata and the highest protein denaturation inhibition (71.43%) was exhibited in Aloe vera compared with other tested samples. Results of in vitro antiurolithiatic test in two plant materials and beverage exhibited inhibition action in both nucleation and aggregation assays. Results indicate K. pinnata leaf and Aloe vera gel can be effectively used for developing a functional beverage with antiurolithiatic, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
... In agreement with the present results, El-Kholy et al. (2018a; showed significant decreasing cholesterol concentrations in rabbits treated with photobiotic than in untreated group. Five phytosterols (plant sterols) have been isolated from AV gel as mentioned by Tanaka et al. (2006) have been shown to decrease plasma cholesterol concentrations (Moghadasian and Frohlich, 1999). ...
... 11 Phytosterols (lophenol, 24-methyl-lophenol, 24-ethyllophenol, cycloartanol, and 24-methylene-cycloartanol) isolated from A.vera gel extract showed a significant decrease in the fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) levels in diabetic mice. 12 Eryngium foetidum is rich source of carotene, riboflavin, proteins, and vitamins A, B, and C content, 13 with significant quantity of volatile oil, 14 E-2-dodecenal (Eryngial) with calcium, iron in it. It has established pharmacological activity such as anti-carcinogenic, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsant, anticlastogenic, anti-bacterial activity and anthelmintic. ...
... Allium cepa, Allium sativum, A. vera, Azadirachta indica, Gymnema sylvestre, Syzygium cumini, and Pterocarpus marsupium, possess some anti-diabetic active bio-molecules. The five phytosterols of A. vera, lophenol, 24-methyllophenol, 24-ethyl-lophenol, cycloartanol, and 24-methylenecycloartanol showed anti-diabetic effects in type-2 diabetic mice (Tanaka, 2006;Noor et al., 2008). These components promote hypoglycemic effect by normalizing membrane-bound enzyme activities of phosphatise and hydrase which increase glucose metabolism. ...
This book is an effort to throw light on the importance of biologically active molecules which are isolated from different plants, their biological activity, extraction from natural sources and their in vivo production to preserve the biodiversity of medicinal plants.
... These two substances are released into the bloodstream as triglycerides which can increase the level of lipoproteins in the blood. It is suggested that can reduce the level of lipids in blood by controlling the fat metabolism in the liver [37]. Another theory is that the Aloe vera extract can lower the level of blood glucose and lipid in diabetic rats by improving sensitivity of cells to insulin [28,38]. ...
The present study was undertaken to observe the effect of the aqueous leaf extract of Aloe vera gel of the reduction in blood glucose and lipid level in hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia rats. Twenty four male rats were divided into four groups (6 rats/group) and treated as follows for 28 days.G 1 were intubated orally distal water serving as control while, G2 were administrating of Dexamethason -induced diabetic 1 mg/kg/bw. Intraperitoneally, G3 were administrating of diabetic rats given Dexamethason 1mg/kg/bw. + Aloe vera leaf gel extract (300 mg/kg) using an intragastric tube, G4) were administrating of diabetic rats given Dexamethasone 1 mg/kg/bw. intraperitoneally + Aloe vera leaf gel extract (500 mg/kg) using an intragastric tube, the following criteria were measured sugar levels and blood lipid profile. The findings show that Aloe Vera had a significant decrease influence in serum glucose, cholesterol, TG, and VLDL and a significant decrease HDL. In conclusion, this study mention a new evidence of the role of Aloe Vera on the decreasing glucose, lipid profile.
... In Unani classical text, Elva is described in the name of Sibr which is spread throughout the domain (Eidi, 2006). Numerous scientific studies have been conducted to evaluate the antidiabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-oxidative activities of Sibr in the management of diabetes (Racovita et al., 2015;Ramirez et al., 2020;Tanaka et al., 2006). The outcomes have demonstrated that Sibr contains a significant amount of chromium, manganese, and zinc which potentiates its antidiabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-oxidative activities (Makheswari and Sudarsanam, 2012). ...
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diabetes mellitus (DM) is rapidly becoming one of the most common non-communicable diseases. It is characterized by hyperglycemia, glycosuria, and negative nitrogen balance. It mainly occurs due to lack of insulin secretion from beta cells of Pancreas and desensitization of insulin receptors. In Unani classical text, diabetes is described by many renowned Unani physicians, like Zakaria Al Razi, Ali Ibn Abbas Majoosi, Ibn Sina, Ismail Jurjani, Ibn Zuhar, and Ibn Hubal Baghdadi, with various names such as Ziabetus, Moattasha, Barkarya Qamamees, etc. According to Hippocrate, Ziabetus Shakri (DM) is a disease of Sue Mizaj Haar Yabis, and hence the Barid Ratab Mizaj herbs which exhibit properties of Muqawwi-e-Gurda are beneficial. On the other hand, Jalinoos described that the use of alkalizer and Tabreed kulliya and Qabizatwa Hamizat foods are the only treatment for Ziabetus Shakri. In the present chapter, the recent advances in the development of single drugs and compound formulations
... In Unani classical text, Elva is described in the name of Sibr which is spread throughout the domain (Eidi, 2006). Numerous scientific studies have been conducted to evaluate the antidiabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-oxidative activities of Sibr in the management of diabetes (Racovita et al., 2015;Ramirez et al., 2020;Tanaka et al., 2006). The outcomes have demonstrated that Sibr contains a significant amount of chromium, manganese, and zinc which potentiates its antidiabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-oxidative activities (Makheswari and Sudarsanam, 2012). ...
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diabetes mellitus (DM) is rapidly becoming one of the most common non-communicable diseases. It is characterized by hyperglycemia, glycosuria, and negative nitrogen balance. It mainly occurs due to lack of insulin secretion from beta cells of Pancreas and desensitization of insulin receptors. In Unani classical text, diabetes is described by many renowned Unani physicians, like Zakaria Al Razi, Ali Ibn Abbas Majoosi, Ibn Sina, Ismail Jurjani, Ibn Zuhar, and Ibn Hubal Baghdadi, with various names such as Ziabetus, Moattasha, Barkarya Qamamees, etc. According to Hippocrate, Ziabetus Shakri (DM) is a disease of Sue Mizaj
Haar Yabis, and hence the Barid Ratab Mizaj herbs which exhibit properties of Muqawwi-e-Gurda are beneficial. On the other hand, Jalinoos described that the use of alkalizer and Tabreed kulliya and Qabizatwa Hamizat foods are the only treatment for Ziabetus Shakri. In the present chapter, the recent advances in the development of single drugs and compound formulations.
Aloe genus plants, distributed in Old World, are widely known and have been used for centuries as topical and oral therapeutic agents due to their health, beauty, medicinal, and skin care properties. Among the well-investigated Aloe species are A. arborescens, A. barbadensis, A. ferox, and A. vera. Today, they account among the most economically important medicinal plants and are commonly used in primary health treatment, where they play a pivotal role in the treatment of various types of diseases via the modulation of biochemical and molecular pathways, besides being a rich source of valuable phytochemicals. In the present review, we summarized the recent advances in botany, phytochemical composition, ethnobotanical uses, food preservation, and the preclinical and clinical efficacy of Aloe plants. These data will be helpful to provide future directions for the industrial and medicinal use of Aloe plants.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by impaired glucose homeostasis, insulin resistance, and long-term complications affecting multiple organ systems. The search for effective and safer alternatives to conventional antidiabetic drugs has led to growing interest in phytochemicals derived from medicinal plants. Phytochemicals such as flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolics, terpenoids, and glycosides have demonstrated significant antidiabetic potential through diverse mechanisms, including inhibition of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, enhancement of insulin secretion, and modulation of glucose uptake and antioxidant activity. This review comprehensively explores the diverse classes of phytochemicals with antidiabetic properties, highlighting their mechanisms of action, pharmacological potential and clinical relevance. Further, the application of these bioactive compounds in functional foods, nutraceuticals and pharmaceutical formulations is discussed, along with challenges such as bioavailability, toxicity, and regulatory considerations. The integration of phytochemicals in diabetes management holds promise for the development of novel, plant-based therapeutics, paving the way for improved treatment strategies.
Phytosterols are bioactive substances found naturally in the cell membranes of plants and have an arrangement of molecules similar to that of fat, which is produced by mammalian cells. They are widely distributed as dietary sources of lipids in plants, such as nuts, seeds, olive oil, and legumes. This review provides a summary of the efficacy of BS in treating lifestyle problems, as well as an appraisal of previous research. Data was collected from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google scholar (1968 -2024) using standard keywords “β-sitosterol,” “Classification,” “Biosynthesis,” “Pharmacokinetics,” “Herbal nutraceutical,” “Analytical,” “Structure,” “Pharmacological effect.” A total of 222 studies were included in this review. Numerous in vitro and in vivo investigations have shown that BSs exhibit several biological properties such as calming and anxiolytic effects; narcotic and immune-stimulating effects; antibacterial, antineoplastic, inflammation-causing, lipid-lowering, and hepatoprotective effects; and antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and wound-healing effects in contrast to respiratory and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease illnesses. β-sitosterol is a promising natural substance for the management of cholesterol and inflammation. However, further studies are needed to understand its pharmacological consequences and determine its best use in clinical applications. β-Sitosterol, also known as "plant sterol ester," is often present in plants and has several applications, notably in medicine and the food industry. Experimental research on β-sitosterol provides unequivocal evidence that phytosterol can be supplemented with other methods to combat serious illnesses. Such a high potential identifies this substance as a noteworthy medication for the future based on its composition. Although β-sitosterol has anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties and is useful in human clinical trials for enlarged prostates, its mechanism of action remains unclear
The consumption of fruit and vegetable juices is widely recognized as a healthy choice across all age groups. Orange, carrot, and aloe vera are renowned for their functional properties and health benefits. In this study, we investigated the potential incorporation of aloe vera gel into blended orange and carrot juices. We also evaluated the resulting mixed probiotic juices (chemical, microbiological, and sensory aspects) during a 14-day storage period at refrigerator temperature. The chemical composition and phytochemical structure of aloe vera gel were examined, followed by an assessment of the biological effects of these healthy juices on diabetic albino rats. The results indicated improvements in total soluble solids, reducing sugars, and total sugars with increasing storage duration. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that incorporating aloe vera into the natural mixed juices enhanced their phytochemical quality. The treatment supplemented with aloe vera gel gave the highest total content of phenolic and flavonoid substances, which were 310 mg of GAE/100 g and 175 mg of quercetin/100 g, respectively. Probiotic strains (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis Bb12, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299V, and Lactobacillus acidophilus L10) exhibited good viable cell counts in orange and mixed orange and carrot probiotics juices with viable counts of 7.42–8.07 log CFU/mL. Regarding sensory attributes, the study found that increasing the ratio of orange juice improved the taste while increasing the ratio of carrot juice enhanced the color in juice mixtures. Incorporation of aloe vera into mixed natural juices also enhanced the reduction of blood glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL, creatinine, ALT, AST, and urea levels while increasing total protein and HDL levels in diabetic rats. Based on these findings, oranges, carrots, and aloe vera offer the potential to produce new, flavorful, nutritious, and appealing juices. Moreover, this study determined that a functional juice with favorable sensory properties can be created by blending 75% orange juice, 20% carrot juice, and 5% aloe vera gel. Additionally, aloe vera demonstrated greater efficacy as an antidiabetic agent in rats. Further research is suggested to explore the potential advantages of aloe vera gel and probiotic juices in mitigating diabetes and other metabolic syndromes.
Since ancient times, Aloe vera L. (AV) has attracted scientific interest because of its multiple cosmetic and medicinal properties, attributable to compounds present in leaves and other parts of the plant. The collected literature data show that AV and its products have a beneficial influence on human health, both by topical and oral use, as juice or an extract. Several scientific studies demonstrated the numerous biological activities of AV, including, for instance, antiviral, antimicrobial, antitumor, and antifungal. Moreover, its important antidepressant activity in relation to several diseases, including skin disorders (psoriasis, acne, and so on) and prediabetes, is a growing field of research. This comprehensive review intends to present the most significant and recent studies regarding the plethora of AV’s biological activities and an in-depth analysis exploring the component/s responsible for them. Moreover, its morphology and chemical composition are described, along with some studies regarding the single components of AV available in commerce. Finally, valorization studies and a discussion about the metabolism and toxicological aspects of this “Wonder Plant” are reported.
The scourge of obesity arising from obesogens and poor dieting still ravages our planet as half of the global population may be overweight and obese by 2035. This metabolic disorder is intertwined with type 2 diabetes (T2D), both of which warrant alternative therapeutic options other than clinically approved drugs like orlistat with their tendency of abuse and side effects. In this review, we comprehensively describe the global obesity problem and its connection to T2D. Obesity, overconsumption of fats, the mechanism of fat digestion, obesogenic gut microbiota, inhibition of fat digestion, and natural anti-obesity compounds are discussed. Similar discussions are made for diabetes with regard to glucose regulation, the diabetic gut microbiota, and insulinotropic compounds. The sources and production of anti-obesity bioactive peptides (AOBPs) and anti-diabetic bioactive peptides (ADBPs) are also described while explaining their structure–function relationships, gastrointestinal behaviors, and action mechanisms. Finally, the techno-functional applications of AOBPs and ADBPs are highlighted.
The Middle east and North Africa harbour many native species with pharmaceutical and nutraceutical potential. Since the beginning of history, food and herbal medicinal plants have been an essential part of human lives and the traditional Middle Eastern healthcare system. The notable medicinal plants that have been mentioned in the Bible, which are common in West Asia and some regions of North Africa, are Aloe vera, anise, balm, cassia, cinnamon, cumin, flax, and fig. Chemical components of Aloe vera are aloin, sinapinic acid, catechin, chromone, myricetin, quercitrin and syringic acid. Anethole, safrole, and estragole are the main chemical components of anise. The chemical components of cassia are coumarin, emodin, cinnamyl alcohol, and cin-namaldehyde. The major chemical ingredients of cumin are terpinene, cuminaldehyde, sabinene, thujene, and thymoquinone. The goal of this article is to review the considerable health benefits and pharmaceutical benefits of medicinal herbs and plants that have been neglected and underutil-ized in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as to promote their utilization. On the basis of the results, the experimented neglected medicinal plant can offer various advantages when used together with conventional medicinal treatments for various health conditions, such as palliative care in managing the side effects of conventional treatments, access to a wider range of treatments , increased patient satisfaction, and improved emotional and mental well-being. Moreover, consuming medicinal plants may help to manage and prevent diabetes, cancer, and heart disease with notable anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory properties.
The history for the use of Aloe vera for medicinal purposes starts from about 3000 years. Medicinally, this plant may be able to treat skin cancer as well as sunburns, burns, and small wounds. More than 104 compounds from various parts of this plant, including minerals, vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, sterols, anthraquinone, flavonoids, terpenoids, coumarins, polysaccharides, sugars, and polyphenols, have been isolated thus far, according to scientific reports on phytochemical analysis of this plant. The biological activities of these compounds are diverse and include anthelmintic, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, diuretic, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and cosmetic effects for medical therapy. This article mainly emphasizes therapeutic, medicinal and food uses of A. vera.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health problem owing to its high prevalence and increased morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of DM and impaired glucose tolerance in Uganda is approximately 4.1% and 6.6%, respectively. Medicinal plants are commonly used for the management of DM, especially in developing countries, such as Uganda . According to several ethnobotanical surveys conducted in Uganda, various medicinal plants are used in DM management. Meanwhile, ethnopharmacological studies have confirmed the anti-diabetic efficacy of various plants and plant-derived formulations from Uganda. However, these information remain highly fragmented without a single repository for plants used in the management and treatment of DM in Uganda, hindering further investigations. Therefore, this study aimed to comprehensively explore plants used for DM treatment in Uganda and retrieve relevant ethnopharmacological and ethnomedicinal information that can be used for DM therapy development. English peer-reviewed articles and books were searched in scientific databases, especially PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Science Direct, SciFinder, and Medline, to retrieve information on medicinal plants used for DM treatment and management in Uganda. The databases were searched to obtain published literature on the anti-diabetic activities and safety of plants among the identified plants. The family name, plant parts used, anti-diabetic activities, dosage, and mechanisms of action of plant extracts were captured. In total, 46 species belonging to 26 families are used to treat DM in Uganda. Most species belonged to the Fabaceae (20%), Asteraceae (13%), and Solanaceae (7%) families. Anti-diabetic activities of 27 (59%) species have been scientifically investigated, whereas the rest have not been evaluated. This review indicated that various medicinal plants are used in the traditional treatment and management of DM across different regions in Uganda. Scientific investigations have revealed the anti-diabetic potential and safety of several of these plants. However, there is a need to validate the anti-diabetic potential of other unstudied plants. Additionally, isolating and characterizing active principles and elucidating the anti-diabetic mechanism of these plants and performing preclinical and clinical studies in the future could aid in the formulation of an effective and safe treatment for DM.
Several plant secondary metabolites are used in the production of different pharmaceuticals based on their biological activities. The conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants is important for the industrial production of plant-based medicines. Different cryopreservation methods are used for long-term culture preservation, which allows fast regeneration of the preserved plant material with the maintenance of its primary original traits. These methods could ensure the sustainable indefinite supply of plant tissues for theoretically unlimited periods of time, and have gained considerable attention in recent years. It is important to assess the recovery rate and the genetic stability of the recovered plant tissues after cryopreservation because cryopreservation efficiency differs among plant tissues and species. This review lays particular emphasis on the pharmaceutical applications of plant secondary metabolites that are produced through tissue culture approaches, highlighting the methods used for their cryopreservation, as well as their recovery and genetic stability.
Aloe vera, the most popular and widely cultivated Aloe (Liliaceae) species, is receiving widespread and increasing attention from the food industry due to its functional and health benefits. The discovery of multitype metabolites from A. vera supported and broadened its application as a functional food. NMR-based dereplication methodology represents an efficient strategy in plant metabolite research. In the present study, by using the ¹³C NMR-based dereplication software MixONat along with a specially constructed Aloe database containing predicted ¹³C NMR chemical shifts for Aloe-derived natural products, the secondary metabolites in semipurified fractions from A. vera were rapidly identified. A total of twenty-one components (1–21), represented by chromones and anthraquinones, were identified in A. vera, and five of these (4, 14, 16, 18, and 21) were found in the Aloe genus for the first time. Moreover, two new chromones (1–2) were discovered by 2D NMR spectral analysis, and their structures were finally established by extensive spectroscopic analysis after targeted isolation. The results demonstrated that A. vera is a promising natural source of bioactive components and supported its broad utilization in the food industry. Moreover, the NMR-based dereplication approach was demonstrated to be a powerful tool for exploring secondary metabolites from edible plant resources.
Aloctin A (Alo A), an active substance isolated from the leaves of Aloe arborescens Miller, has many biological and pharmacological activities, such as mitogenic activity for lymphocytes, binding of human 2-macroglobulin, complement activation via the alternative pathway, antiinflammatory activity, antiulcer activity and antitumour activity. In this paper, the effects of Alo A treatment in vivo and in vitro on the immune response of murine and human lymphoid cells are described.
Several biologically active substances, such as aloenin (1), magnesium lactate, aloe-emodin (4), barbaloin (5), and succinic acid, were found to be contained in the leaf juice of Aloe arborescens Mill. var. natalensis Berger, which has widely been used in domestic medicines. Aloenin (1) and magnesium lactate were elucidated to exhibit an inhibitory action on the gastric juice secretion of rats. Various constituents other than the above bioactive substances were found in the leaves and the roots of the plant.
The extent and site(s) of inhibition of cholesterol absorption by plant sterols, sitosterol and fucosterol, were studied in rats. The intragastric administration of a single emulsified lipid meal containing 25 mg [3H]cholesterol and 25 mg of either sitosterol or fucosterol inhibited the lymphatic absorption of cholesterol by 57% and 41%, respectively, in 24 hr. Less than 2% of each plant sterol was absorbed in the 24-hr period. In contrast, neither plant sterol (50 microM) inhibited cholesterol absorption when co-administered with equimolar amounts of cholesterol in phospholipid-bile salt micelles nor was either absorbed from the micellar solution. A series of in vitro studies was conducted to identify the site(s) of plant sterol inhibition of cholesterol absorption and to account for the difference in inhibitory effectiveness of sitosterol and fucosterol. A comparison of the micellar solubility of each sterol alone and in equimolar binary mixtures (to 2.0 mM) revealed that the solubility of individual sterols decreased in the following order: cholesterol, fucosterol, sitosterol, and that in binary mixtures cholesterol solubility was decreased by sitosterol and, to a lesser extent, by fucosterol relative to its solubility alone. A comparison between micellar-solubilized cholesterol and either sitosterol or fucosterol for binding to isolated brush border membranes, intestinal mucin, or for esterification by either cholesterol esterase or acyl coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase revealed moderate to no competition. The data suggest that plant sterols displace cholesterol from bile salt (taurocholate) micelles and that sitosterol is more effective than fucosterol in this capacity.
Currently, aloesin is used in the cosmetic industry as a whitening agent because it inhibits tyrosinase activity. Aloesin is a C-glycosylated chromone compound isolated from aloe, and it is difficult to synthesize because of C-glycosyl moiety in the molecule. The purpose of this study is to search for a new chromone compound which is easy to synthesize and which posesses stronger tyrosinase inhibitory activity than aloesin. Fourteen chromone derivatives were synthesized and screened for their mushroom-tyrosinase inhibitory activity. 5-Methyl-7-methoxy-2-(2'-benzyl-3'-oxobutyl)chromone (15) showed the strongest activity among tested compounds. Its activity was not only stronger than aloesin, but also stronger than arbutin and kojic acid. The kinetic analysis revealed a competitive inhibition of 15 with tyrosinase for the L-tyrosine binding site.
C57BL/6J (B6) and AKR/J (AKR) inbred strains of mice develop a comparable degree of obesity when fed a high-fat diet. However, although obese B6 mice are more glucose intolerant, obese AKR mice are more insulin resistant. To understand the basis for these strain differences, we characterized features of adiposity and glucose homeostasis in mice fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks. The results indicated that despite hyperglycemia and impaired glucose tolerance, B6 mice have lower plasma insulin and are more insulin sensitive than AKR mice. Compared with adipose tissue of AKR mice, adipose tissue of B6 mice contained about threefold higher levels of total membrane-bound GLUT4 protein, whereas in skeletal muscle the levels were similar. Uptake of 2-[(14)C]deoxyglucose in vivo was reduced by a high-fat diet in adipose tissue, but not in skeletal muscle. Surprisingly, no significant differences in uptake occurred between the strains, despite the differences in GLUT4; however, glucose flux was calculated to be slightly higher in B6 mice. Higher expression of PEPCK in the liver of B6 mice, under both standard-diet and high-fat-diet conditions, suggests a plausible mechanism for elevated glycemia in these mice. In conclusion, phenotypic variation in insulin resistance and glucose production in the B6 and AKR strains could provide a genetic system for the identification of genes controlling glucose homeostasis.
The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of Aloe vera leaf pulp and gel extracts on the liver tissue of neonatal streptozotocin (n0STZ)-induced type-II diabetic rats. The diabetic rats were separated into four groups and each group was given the following samples by gavage, daily for 15 d: phosphate buffered saline (PBS; diabetic control), Aloe leaf pulp extract, Aloe leaf gel extract, glibenclamide. Liver tissues were examined histologically. The markers of oxidative stress: glutathione (GSH), non-enzymatic glycosylation (NEG) and lipid peroxidation (LPO), were determined in liver tissue. Biochemical parameters for liver function: serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine transaminase (ALP) activities, were evaluated. All parameters were also determined in healthy (non diabetic) rats for comparison. In the diabetic control group, the degenerative changes in liver tissue were remarkable, while in the diabetic groups given Aloe pulp and gel extracts and glibenclamide, the damage to the liver tissue was decreased. The increase of GSH and the decrease of NEG and LPO in liver tissues with the treatment of Aloe gel extract, is consistent with the beneficial effect of Aloe. Serum ALP and ALT activities were also decreased in the groups given Aloe gel extract. It was concluded that Aloe gel extract has a protective effect comparable to glibenclamide against hepatotoxicity produced by diabetes if used in the treatment of type-II diabetes.
The 13C-NMR chemical shifts of 112 sterols (4-demethyl-, 4-monomethyl-, and 4, 4-dimethylsterols) and triterpene alcohols, most of which are the naturally occurring ones, are listed and a number of methods for signal assignment are explained. The utility of 13C-NMR spectral analysis for the structure elucidation of these compounds is discussed.
Two different components were separated from Aloe arborescens var. natalensis Berger (Kidachi aloe in Japanese), which exhibit hypoglycaemic activity in spontaneously diabetic mice and normal mice. One component was separated from the succulent layer of the Aloe leaf (leaf pulp). This component, when administered to mice intraperitoneally or orally, decreased the blood glucose level, and maintained the lower level for about 24 h. On the other hand, administration of the superficial layer of the Aloe leaf (leaf skin) to streptozotocin (pancreatic islets beta-cells toxin) –- induced diabetic mice, significantly depressed hyperglycaemia and examination of the tissue section under the light microscope revealed less denaturation and necrosis of islets beta-cells. These results indicate that Kidachi aloe relieves the diabetic condition by direct hypoglyceration (blood glucose lowering activity) and activates beta-cells.
Mice harboring mutations in the obese (ob) and diabetes (db) genes display similar phenotypes, and it has been proposed that these genes encode the ligand and receptor, respectively,
for a physiologic pathway that regulates body weight. The cloning of ob, and the demonstration that it encodes a secreted protein (leptin) that binds specifically to a receptor (OB-R) in the brain,
have validated critical aspects of this hypothesis. Here it is shown by genetic mapping and genomic analysis that mouse db, rat fatty (a homolog of db), and the gene encoding the OB-R are the same gene.
A health product containing aloe vera gel was examined for its effects on gastric mucosal lesions induced by cold-restraint or by oral administration of 70% v/v ethanol (2 mL/kg), and on plasma glucose levels in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Pretreatment with the preparation orally did not protect against lesion formation. There was no beneficial effect on the healing of ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage when the preparation was given twice daily for 3 days. The plasma glucose level of alloxan-injected rats (120 mg/kg, s.c.) was about twice as high as that of their controls. It was further elevated by a single oral dose of the preparation. Chronic treatment with the preparation, given twice daily for 10 days, produced a sustained increase in the plasma glucose levels. The findings do not support the claimed efficacy of the preparation in treating gastric ulceration and diabetes mellitus.
The mucilaginous gel from the parenchymatous cells in the leaf pulp of Aloe vera has been used since early times for a host of curative purposes. This gel should be distinguished clearly from the bitter yellow exudate originating from the bundle sheath cells, which is used for its purgative effects. Aloe vera gel has come to play a prominent role as a contemporary folk remedy, and numerous optimistic, and in some cases extravagant, claims have been made for its medicinal properties. Modern clinical use of the gel began in the 1930s, with reports of successful treatment of X-ray and radium burns, which led to further experimental studies using laboratory animals in the following decades. The reports of these experiments and the numerous favourable case histories did not give conclusive evidence, since although positive results were usually described, much of the work suffered from poor experimental design and insufficiently large test samples. In addition some conflicting or inconsistent results were obtained. With the recent resurgence of interest in Aloe vera gel, however, new experimental work has indicated the possibility of distinct physiological effects. Chemical analysis has shown the gel to contain various carbohydrate polymers, notably either glucomannans or pectic acid, along with a range of other organic and inorganic components. Although many physiological properties of the gel have been described, there is no certain correlation between these and the identified gel components.
Effects of spinasterol and sitosterol on plasma and liver cholesterol levels and biliary and fecal sterol and bile acid excretions were examined with male mice. Both phytosterols were added to the diet at a 1% concentration and fed to mice for 15 days. Spinasterol increased the fecal cholesterol excretion and decreased the plasma and liver cholesterol levels, the bile acid pool size and the fecal bile acid excretion, especially those derived from chenodeoxycholic acid. Fecal coprostanol excretion remained unchanged. These changes were similar to those produced by sitosterol. These data led to the conclusions 1) that spinasterol, as well as sitosterol, inhibits cholesterol absorption, resulting in decreases of the plasma and liver cholesterol levels and 2) that when cholesterol absorption is inhibited, the synthesis of bile acids, especially that of chenodeoxycholic acid, decreases, suggesting that the dietary cholesterol is preferentially metabolized to chenodeoxycholic acid in mice.
Mutations in the mouse diabetes (db) gene result in obesity and diabetes in a syndrome resembling morbid human obesity. Previous data suggest that the db gene encodes the receptor for the obese (ob) gene product, leptin. A leptin receptor was recently cloned from choroid plexus and shown to map to the same 6-cM interval on mouse chromosome 4 as db. This receptor maps to the same 300-kilobase interval as db, and has at least six alternatively spliced forms. One of these splice variants is expressed at a high level in the hypothalamus, and is abnormally spliced in C57BL/Ks db/db mice. The mutant protein is missing the cytoplasmic region, and is likely to be defective in signal transduction. This suggests that the weight-reducing effects of leptin may be mediated by signal transduction through a leptin receptor in the hypothalamus.
Two cytotoxic triterpenes have been isolated from Euphorbia pulcherrima. Their structures and stereochemistry have been established from NMR, IR, and EI-mass spectroscopy. The compounds were identified as 9,19-cycloart-23-ene-3 beta,25-diol and, 9,19-cycloart-25-ene-3 beta,24-diol. Cytotoxicity evaluation was performed using Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. While cycloartenol induced no cytotoxic activity against Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, both isolated triterpenes exhibited cell inactivating effects. The IC50 is approximately 7.5 microM, while the IC90 is approximately 13.5 microM for 9,19-cycloart-25-ene-3 beta,24-diol. The 3 beta,25-diol compound is 50% less active.
Fractions of leaf gel from Aloe barbadensis Mill. were prepared by gel permeation using DEAE Sephadex A-25, Sepharose 6B, and Sephadex G-50 columns. These were then tested by in vitro assays for proliferation of human normal dermal and baby hamster kidney cells. The glycoprotein fraction promoted cell growth, while the neutral polysaccharide fraction did not show any growth stimulation. Moreover, the polar-colored glycoprotein fraction strongly inhibited the in vitro assays. An active glycoprotein fraction (protein 82%, carbohydrate 11%) examined on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and SDS-PAGE showed a single band. Its molecular weight was 29 kD on a Sephadex G-50 column and its isoelectric point was pH 6.8. Immunoblotting after SDS-PAGE showed that the glycoprotein was composed of two subunits (14 kD). Deglycosylation of glycoprotein (Pg21-2b fraction) by trifluoromethanesulphonic acid provided a protein band with a molecular weight of 13 kD on SDS-PAGE. The colored glycoprotein fraction was shown on SDS-PAGE to be a mixture with a molecular weight of 18 kD-15 kD. It was later hydrolyzed with 10% H2SO4 to produce phenolic substances.
Systemic administration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) decreases nonfasted blood glucose in obese, non-insulin-dependent diabetic C57BLKS-Lepr(db)/lepr(db) (db/db) mice, with a concomitant decrease in body weight. By measuring percent HbA1c in BDNF-treated and pair-fed animals, we show that the effects of BDNF on nonfasted blood glucose levels are not caused by decreased food intake but reflect a significant improvement in blood glucose control. Furthermore, once established, this effect can persist for weeks after cessation of BDNF treatment. Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed to examine the effects of BDNF on blood glucose control in the fasted state and after an oral glucose challenge. BDNF treatment normalized fasting blood glucose from initially hyperglycemic levels and also showed evidence for beneficial, although less marked, effects on the ability to remove exogenous glucose from blood. One means to lower fasting blood glucose is to reduce the glucose output of peripheral tissues that normally play a part in the maintenance of fasting hyperglycemia. Because the liver is the major endogenous source of glucose in blood during fasting, and because hepatic weight and glucose output are increased in type 2 diabetes, we evaluated the effects of BDNF on liver tissue. BDNF reduced the hepatomegaly present in db/db mice, in association with reduced liver glycogen and reduced liver enzyme activity in serum, supporting the possible involvement of liver tissue in the mechanism of action for BDNF.
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
An acitve glycoprotein fraction containing 58 % protein was isolated from Aloe vera gel by precipitation with 55 % ammonium sulfate followed by gel permeation using DEAE-Sephacel A-25, Sepharose 6B and Sephadex G-50 columns in a yield of 3 × 10⁻³ %. The glycoprotein fraction showed a single band corresponding to a subunit of verectin at the same position when stained with both Coomassie brilliant blue and periodic acid-Schiff reagents on 18 % SDS-PAGE. The molecular weight (14 kDa) was confirmed by Sephadex G-50 column chromatography. The glycoprotein fraction showed a radical scavenging activity against superoxide anion generated by the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system as well as inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 and reduction of thromboxane A2 synthase level in vitro.
Abbreviations
BPB:bromo phenol blue
BSA:bovine serum albumin
CBB:coomassie brilliant blue
DMPO:5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide
EDTA:edetic acid
GSH:glutathione
NBT:nitro blue tetrazolium
SDS-PAGE:sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel
electrophoresis
XOD:xanthine oxidase
In the present study an attempt has been made to evaluate the presence of hypoglycemic activity in the alcoholic extract of Aloe vera gel. Effects of oral administration of A. vera extract at a concentration of 200 and 300 mg/kg of body weight on (a) normal fasted rats, (b) oral glucose-loaded rats, and (c) streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats have been studied. A. vera extract maintain the glucose homeostasis by controlling the carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes.
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