Comparative Effects of Aloe vera Gel and Aqueous Leaf Extract of Viscum album on Bilirubin Excretion in Streptozotocin - Induced Diabetic Rats

Aims: This study was carried out to determine the effect of type 1 Diabetes Mellitus on bilirubin excretion and to compare the effects of separate administration of Aloe vera gel and aqueous leaf extract of Viscum album on serum bilirubin, bile secretory rate and biliary bilirubin concentration.

Methodology: Thirty six male albino Wistar rats weighing 180 - 220 g were used for this study. After 14 days of habituation, the rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of 6 rats each. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus was induced in the test groups by a single i.p dose (65 mg/kg) of streptozotocin. Group 1 served as control; group 2 - diabetic untreated group (DM); group 3 - diabetic group, treated with 0.4 ml/100g Aloe vera gel orally (DM+Aloe); group 4 - diabetic group, treated with 150 mg/kg Viscum album leaf extract orally (DM+VA); group 5 - control group, treated with 0.4 ml/100g Aloe vera gel orally (C+Aloe); group 6 - control group, treated with 150 mg/kg Viscum album leaf extract orally (C+VA). All animals had unrestricted access to food and water. The regimen lasted for 21 days, after which bile secretion was determined and same was collected together with serum for biliary and serum bilirubin estimation.

Results: The results showed that serum and biliary total, conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin concentrations were significantly (p<0.001) higher in the DM group compared to control, DM+Aloe and DM+VA, with DM+Aloe group having significantly lower serum and biliary total and conjugated bilirubin (p<0.001), and serum unconjugated bilirubin (p<0.05) compared to DM+VA group. Serum conjugated bilirubin concentration in C+Aloe and C+VA group was significantly (p<0.05 and p<0.001 respectively) higher compared to control, while serum unconjugated bilirubin concentration was significantly (p<0.001 and p<0.01 respectively) lower compared to control. C+VA group had a significantly (p<0.001) higher biliary total and conjugated bilirubin concentrations compared to C+Aloe group.

Conclusion: On the basis of the results obtained, we therefore conclude that Aloe vera gel and aqueous leaf extract of Viscum album enhances bilirubin excretion in diabetic and normal animals and are both hepatoprotective.