Diabetes mellitus is a serious chronic metabolic disorder characterized
by a decrease or cessation of insulin secretion in response
to normal physiological stimuli, or reduced
responsiveness of peripheral tissues to insulin.1 The metabolic
abnormalities of diabetes cause mitochondrial superoxide
overproduction in endothelial cells of both large and small vessels,
as well as in the myocardium. Therefore, oxidative stress
plays a major role in the development of diabetes complications,
both microvascular and cardiovascular complications.2,3
Many authors claimed for antidiabetic and antioxidant potential
of aloe in experimentally-induced diabetes.4,5 The glucose
lowering effects of Aloe vera were suggested to be
mediated, at least partially, through its potent anti-oxidant effect.
6,7 Recent approaches suggest that treatment of diabetes
should not only focus on insulin secretion but also on antioxidant
protection of the b-cell. This may facilitate the repair of
b-cells undergoing damage by oxidative stress secondary to
hyperglycemia.8