Kidney and Liver Function Parameters in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats Treated with Aloe Barbadensis Juice Extract

Abstract

Aloe barbadensis juice extract has been reported to possess hypoglycaemic property but the effects of its use on kidney and liver functions in diabetic animals have not been well investigated. This study investigated some biochemical parameters in the liver and kidney of alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with Aloe barbadensis juice extract. Alloxan-induced diabetic rats were administered orally with Aloe barbadensis juice extract for seven days after which some biochemical indices in the serum, liver and kidney were measured and compared with the control. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), urea and creatinine of untreated diabetic group and treated diabetic groups were significantly elevated when compared with the normal control group with no significant changes in the levels of the enzymes in the liver and kidney. There were no significant changes (p>0.05) in the serum levels of Na+ and K+ in untreated diabetic group and treated diabetic groups when compared with the normal control rats which are not diabetic. These results suggest that administration of aqueous extract of Aloe barbadensis to diabetic rats did not have any adverse effect on the liver and kidney functions in rats showing that the extract is not toxic to man.

Keywords: Aloe barbadensis, Alloxan, Liver function, Kidney function, Diabetic rats.