Anti-Obesity Effects of Aloe Vera Whole Leaf and Sitagliptin in Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Background: Aloe Vera, a medicinal herb, has been used for centuries in therapeutics and cosmetology. Objective: To compare Antiobesity effects of Aloe Vera whole leaf with new antidiabetic drug, Sitagliptin on streptozotcin induced diabetic rats. Study Design: Randomized Control Trial. Settings: Department of Pharmacology, Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi in collaboration with NIH, Islamabad, Pakistan. Duration: One year from September 2019 to August 2020. Methodology: Young Sprague Dawley rats, n=40, weighing 220-250 grams were taken and randomly divided into Groups A and B. Group B was fed on high fat diet for two weeks to develop insulin resistance. After induction of diabetes, with low dose streptozotocin, Group B was subdivided into: GroupB1 (Diabetic Control), Group B2 (Aloe Vera whole Leaf treated), Group B3 (Sitagliptin treated). Body weight was measured in all rats every week to assess progress of study, and finally on completion of study (on Day 60). SPSS version 25 was applied for statistical analysis. One-way ANOVA test was used for assessing any difference in the mean values. Post-hoc Turkey analysis was done to compare inter-group mean differences. P value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Mean body weight of Group A was 235.50g, Group B1 272.00g, B2 249.90g and B3 248.70g respectively. Rats in each of Group B2 and Group B3 had significant reduction in body weight compared to Group B1, with no statistically significant intergroup differences in results of Group B2 and B3. Conclusion: Aloe Vera whole leaf extract significantly decreased body weight with almost similar efficacy to Sitagliptin in diabetic rats.