Aloe vera: Antiulcer and antidiabetic effects

Abstract

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.