Anti-hyperglycemic effect of aloe Vera leaf gel extract in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits

Objective: to evaluate the anti-diabetic activity of aloe Vera ethanolic extract in alloxan induced hyperglycemic rabbits as an alternate mode of treatment for type-2 diabetes

Methods: in the present experiment sixty six healthy male rabbits of local strain weighing 1.0-1. 7 kg were divided into 3 groups. They were injected intravenously with alloxan monohydrate according to body weight to induce diabetes. Baseline normal blood sugar level of all the rabbits was recorded. The rabbits turned diabetic within 1-2 weeks after injection of alloxan. A BSR level of= 250 mg/ di was criterion for diabetes. Group A, served as control and was treated with placebo [5 ml of distilled water daily]. Group 8 was treated with Metformin [135 mg/ kg body weight daily] and Group C was treated with ethanolic extract of aloe Vera [300 mg/ kg body weight daily]. Blood sugar levels were recorded as 0hrs, 2hrs and 4hrs readings on days 1, 14 and 28 of the treatment. The data was recorded in specially designed proforma and analyzed with the help of computer software SPSS version 16

Results: there was no significant change in the BSL in Group A [the control group, diabetic rabbits treated with 5 ml/ day of distilled water]. Overall, in a period of 28 days, there was 44.1 % reduction of mean BSL in Metformin group and 25.3% reduction of mean BSL in Aloe Vera group

Conclusion: the ethanolic extract of Aloe Vera leaf gel exhibited anti-diabetic activity in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits. Although antihyperglycaemic effect of Aloe Vera gel extract is lesser than that of Metformin but it has a gradual and sustained pattern

Comparative gastroprotective effects of natural honey, Nigella sativa and cimetidine against acetylsalicylic acid induced gastric ulcer in albino rats

Natural honey [NH] and Nigella sativa [NS] seeds have been in use as a natural remedy for over thousands of years in various parts of the world. The aim of this study was to assess the protective effects of NS [Nigella sativa] and NH [natural honey] on acetylsalicylic acid induced gastric ulcer in an experimental model with comparison to Cimetidine [CD]. Experimental, case control study. Pharmacology and Pathology Department of King Edward Medical University, Lahore, from June to August 2007. The study was conducted on 100 male albino rats, divided into 5 groups, with 20 animals in each group. Group A was used as a control and treated with gum Tragacanth [GT]. Eighty animals of the other groups were given acetylsalicylic acid [0.2 gm/kg body weight for 3 days] to produce ulcers by gavage. Two animals from each group were sacrificed for the detection of gastric ulcers. The remaining 72 animals were equally divided in four groups [B, C, D and E]. The rats in group B, C and D were given NS, NH, and CD respectively while those in E were kept as such. No gastric lesions were seen in control group A while all the animals in group E revealed gastric ulcers. The animals of group B, C and D showed healing effects in 15/18 [83%], 14/18 [78%] and 17/18 [94%] animals grossly; 13/18 were almost the same in all three groups therefore, the statistical difference was not significant among them [p= 0.40 and 0.65] while significant from group E [p= 0.0000075, 0.0000016 and 0.0000012 respectively]. NS and NH are equally effective in healing of gastric ulcer similar to cimetidine. Further broad spectrum studies as well as clinical trials should be conducted before the use of these products as routine medicines

Gastric ulcer healing effects of Nigella sativa; a comparative experimental study with cimetidine

Nigella sativa seeds have been in use as a natural remedy for over 4000 years in various parts of the world. These seeds are reported to benefit almost every system of the body; the present study was conducted to see the healing effects of Nigella Sativa in experimentally produced gastric ulcers with comparison to Cimetidine. It was an experimental study on 40 albino rats, performed in animal house of Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore. The animals were given Aspirin [0.2 gm/kg body weight] to produce ulcers. Four animals were killed after 2 weeks to confirm gastric ulcers by histopathology. The remaining animals [36] were equally divided in two groups and the 3 subgroups according to time schedule [2-6 weeks] for the treatment with Nigella Sativa [30 mg/kg body weight] and Cimetidine [15 mg/kg body weight]. Rats were anaesthetised and sacrificed at the end of experimental periods and the stomachs were removed, rinsed in lukewarm distilled water. Gross and microscopic examinations were performed to evaluate the results. On gross examination of stomach, 14/18 [78%] albino rats of group "A" [taking Nigella Sativa] did not reveal any abnormality due to complete response to Nigella sativa as compared to 17/18 [94%] of group "B" [taking Cimetidine]. On microscopic examination of stomach, 13/18 [72%] albino rats of group "A" [taking Nigella Sativa] revealed complete recovery as compared to 16/18 [89%] of group "B" [taking Cimetidine]. We concluded that Nigella sativa is equally effective in healing of gastric ulcer as is Cimitidine therefore we suggest the use of the N-sativa in the therapy of gastric ulcer disease in routine practice