Effects of Aloe Vera and Swimming Training on Lipid Profile of Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Interactive effect of swimming training and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L.) extract on glycemic indices and lipid profile in diabetic rats

Present study investigated the interactive effect of swimming training and fenugreek on glycemic index and lipid profile of diabetic rats. Forty-eight diabetic rats were randomly assigned to (1) control(C), (2) training(T), (3) fenugreek(F), and (4) training + fenugreek(T + F) groups and 12 healthy rats were placed in healthy control (HC) group. During 4 weeks, groups 2 and 4 performed swimming training for 5 sessions per week and groups 3 and 4 received 100 mg/kg fenugreek. training, fenugreek and training + fenugreek significantly decreased glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, LDL, VLDL, TG and TC as well as increased HDL (p ≤ .05) also training + fenugreek had more favourable effects on improving glycemic indices and lipid profile compared to training and fenugreek alone (p ≤ .05). It seems that training and fenugreek alone or synergistically improve the glycemic indices and lipid profile in diabetic rats, nevertheless the synergistic effects of training and fenugreek can be more desirable than the effect of each alone.

Anti-inflammatory Effect of Aloe vera Extract on Inflammatory Cytokines of Rats Fed with a High-Fat Diet (HFD)

Background: Cytokines are glycoprotein compounds with an important role in inducing and regulating inflammation. Objectives: The present study aimed to measure the effect of Aloe vera alcoholic extracts on inflammatory cytokines in rats fed with a high-fat diet. Methods: Forty adult male Wistar rats were purchased and randomly categorized into five groups, including two control groups (control and control fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and three experimental groups (high-fat diet + 150 mg/kg Aloe vera, high fat diet + 300 mg/kg Aloe vera, and high-fat diet + 600 mg/kg Aloe vera). The rats in the experimental groups received high-fat emulsion and three doses of Aloe vera for 60 days in the form of gavage. Following blood sampling, serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and interferon-γ (INF-γ) were measured. Statistical analysis was administered using SPSS-20 software by ANOVA test. Mean comparisons were conducted via Duncan’s multiple range test at the 0.05 level of significance. Results: The findings showed that a high-fat diet (HFD) could increase the concentrations of inflammatory factors TNF-α and TGF-β (P < 0.05). Moreover, an increase in the concentration of inflammatory factor IL-6 was observed at P < 0.01. No significant effects were observed in the mean concentration of INF-γ in the study groups. The use of Aloe vera gel extract considerably reduced inflammatory factors TNF-α, TGF-β, and IL-6 in the Aloe vera extract-receiving groups. Conclusions: In general, the results of the present study revealed that Aloe vera alcoholic extract reduced inflammatory factors in the rats fed with a high-fat diet.

Potential protective effects of Aloe vera gel on cardiovascular diseases: A mini-review

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) comprise the most prevalent causes of morbidity and mortality in both men and women worldwide. CVDs are associated with several risk factors such as hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, tobacco smoking and an unhealthy diet. Currently, in addition to the use of related pharmacological treatments in the management of CVDs, the investigation of other suitable healthcare approaches for these disorders such as the identification of herbal medicines has been considered in the scientific communities. Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. is a perennial medicinal plant. The innermost leaf layer of this plant contains transparent gel, which is used as food. Pre-clinical studies have shown several biological activities of A. vera gel (AVG), including antidiabetic, lipid-lowering, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory effects. Other pharmacological activities of AVG such as anti-fibrotic, anti-hypertensive, and anti-atherosclerotic effects have been reported. Moreover, several clinical studies have demonstrated the ameliorating effects of AVG on some markers of CVDs risk factors. Thus, this study was conducted to review clinical trials besides in vitro and in vivo studies on the cardiac beneficial effects of AVG. However, further high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of the plant.