The Impact of Exposure of Aloe-Vera Gel Extract to Low-Level Laser Radiation as a New Therapeutics Against Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Abstract Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM), often just called diabetes, is a condition in which the person's body does not produce enough, or does not properly respond to insulin, or non-insulin production. Streptozotocin (STZ) is a medical agent that could use in experimental animals to induce diabetes. Several new anti-diabetic drugs have recently entered clinical practice. Among those, Aloe-vera is a well-known herbal plant for its antidiabetic and hypoglycemic properties. Targeted drugs considered the promising therapeutic candidates when comparatively produce low toxicity profile. Objective: The current study was designed to assess the hypoglycaemic activity of Aloe-vera radiated with low-level laser on diabetic experimental animals. Methods: The present work was carried out on 40 albino rats equally divided into 4 groups (10 rats/group) as the following: group 1, rats served as control one; group 2, rats received STZ (diabetic group); group 3, rats received STZ+ Aloe-vera gel (diabetic + Aloe-vera group); group 4, rats received STZ + Aloe-vera gel exposed previously to a low-level laser beam (Diabetic + radiated Aloe-vera group). Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis (glucose, insulin and C-peptide), and immunoglobulins detection (IgM, IgG and IgA). Measurement of oxidant/antioxidant parameters (MDA, SOD, and TAC) in the pancreatic tissue was also performed. Pancreas was dissected for histopathology examination. Results: Results showed that Aloe-vera treated group displayed a significant increase in serum insulin, C-peptide, IgG, and MDA associated with significant decrease in glucose, SOD, and TAC compared to the diabetic group. Similarly, treated rats with radiated Aloe-vera showed a significant increase in serum insulin, C-peptide, IgA, and MDA associated with a significant decrease in serum glucose, IgG, IgM, SOD, and TAC compared to the diabetic group. In addition, histopathological results of the pancreas from rats treated with radiated Aloe-vera showed apparently normal tissues with slight degenerative changes, congestion and dilatation of the blood vessels. Conclusion: It can be concluded that treatment using laser-irradiated Aloe-vera has a positive impact on various vital functions and represents a novel mechanism that need further investigation by researchers.