Comparative Study of Natural Aloe vera Gel, Sitagliptin and Glibenclamide as D iabetes Medications on Streptozotocin-Induced Male Rat Models

Background and Objective: Aloe vera gel is well-known as a beauty product, nutrient and herbal medicine due to its therapeutic properties. The current research aimed to make a comparative study of natural Aloe vera gel (AG), sitagliptin (SIAG) and glibenclamide (GLIB) as diabetes medications on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced albino Wistar male rat models. Materials and Methods: Rat models (60) were grouped equally into control, diabetic, normal+AG, STZ+AG, STZ+GLIB and STZ+SIAG. After 3 weeks of treatments, body weights, fasting blood glucose levels, blood analyses, fat profile and biochemical and antioxidant enzymes were evaluated. Data were analyzed in SPSS and all values are reported as Mean ± SD. The post hoc multiple comparison tests revealed significant differences among rat groups at p ≤ 0.05. Results: The oral administration of Aloe vera gel was efficient in the STZ+AG group compared to STZ+GLIB and STZ+SIAG. Treatments of the STZ+AG group caused a remarkable reduction of fasting blood glucose level 100.01 mg/dL. The STZ+AG group and STZ+GLIB group detected the same hemoglobin and glycosylated hemoglobin values. The STZ+GLIB group reported the lowest values for Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA IR and β cell) 46.73 and 474.02, respectively. Conclusion: The effect of Aloe vera gel was more pronounced for the biochemical and antioxidant enzymes. These results involved that, when compared to sitagliptin and glibenclamide as diabetes medications, Aloe vera gel ingestion significantly enhanced the diabetic rat' antioxidant defense system.