Aloe vera and its two bioactive constituents in alleviation of diabetes -proteomic & mechanistic insights

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Aloe barbadensis Miller, commonly known as Aloe vera has been used since time immemorial for treatment of various diseases such as cancer, inflammatory disorders, diabetes, wound healing etc. Aim: Diabetes mellitus is a complex disorder and understanding the molecular mechanisms involved is a key to identify different markers for early diagnosis of the disease. The proteomic approach offers a plethora of opportunities to identify markers and targets involved in pathogenesis of diabetes. The present study was undertaken to understand the mechanism of action of Aloe vera and its two constituents (Carbohydrates and Polypeptides) in the alleviation of diabetes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats through a proteomics approach. Methods: Different groups of rats were fed with Aloe vera extract, carbohydrate fraction and peptide/polypeptide fraction for three weeks. The diabetic rats fed with Aloe vera and its two fractions restored the glucose and insulin levels to normal. The plasma of the rats was depleted with IgG and albumin and proteomic analysis was carried out. Apolipoproteins (dyslipidemia), complement factors (inflammatory pathways), zonulin (intestinal permeability), anti-oxidant related proteins were selected in this study as these are involved in the progression of diabetes. Results: It was observed that Aloe vera extract is involved in the alleviation of diabetes through these pathways while the carbohydrate fraction alleviates diabetes through an anti-oxidant mechanism and glucose uptake while the polypeptide fraction alleviates diabetes through the restoration of intestinal permeability by reduced zonulin levels. Conclusion: The constituents of Aloe vera works different pathways involved in diabetes and the synergistic effect of these constituents make Aloe vera extract a prospective candidate, which can alleviate diabetes through regulation of the pathways involved in the progression of diabetes.