Suppression of Gut Glucose Absorption and Enhancement of Gut Fluid Absorption in Alloxan -Induced Diabetic Rats Treated with Crude Aloe vera Gel

ABSTRACT This study was aimed at determining the effect of treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) with crude Aloe vera gel on gut fluid and glucose absorption which are determinants of the degree of post-prandial hyperglycemia. Twenty four male albino Wistar rats weighing 180 -200 g were randomly assigned 1 of 4 groups (n = 6) thus, control, diabetic untreated (DM) group, diabetic group treated (DMT) with crude Aloe vera gel at a dose of 0.4 ml/100g body weight per oral route and control group treated (CT) with crude Aloe vera gel at a dose of 0.4 ml/100g body weight per oral route. All animals had access to food and tap water ad libitum. After 21 days of administration, animals were sacrificed by cervical decapitation. Determination of fluid transfer and glucose uptake was done using appropriate methods. Histology of small intestine was also done using standard techniques. Serosal fluid transfer was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in DMT group compared with control. Gut fluid uptake was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in DMT group compared to control and CT group. Mucosal and serosal glucose concentrations before incubation were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in DM group compared to control. Mucosal glucose concentration after incubation was significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01) increased in DM, DMT and CT group respectively, compared to control. Serosal glucose concentration after incubation was significantly (P < 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.01) increased in DM, DMT and CT group respectively, compared to control. Gut glucose transfer was significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01) lowered in DMT group compared to control, DM and CT group respectively. We therefore conclude that crude Aloe vera gel potentiates the effect of T1DM in increasing gut fluid uptake. Crude Aloe vera gel also reduces gut glucose transfer in DM group, which is a beneficial effect to reduce post-prandial hyperglycemia