GC–MS Profiling and Antihyperglycaemic Effect of the Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Aloe vera Gel in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

Abstract

Aloe vera has been investigated for its potential glucose-lowering effects, but information linking the chemical profile of its ethyl acetate fraction with its antihyperglycaemic activity remains limited.  This study investigated the antihyperglycaemic activity and GC-MS profile of the ethyl acetate fraction of A.vera gel in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Fresh A. vera gel was extracted with 70% ethanol and successively fractionated with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into six groups (n = 6), comprising a normal control, diabetic control, three diabetic groups treated with the ethyl acetate fraction at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight, and a diabetic group treated with metformin (200 mg/kg) . Diabetes was induced with alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), and treatment was administered for 28days. Fasting blood glucose level was monitored during the experimental period. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to characterize the ethyl acetate fraction. Differences among groups were evaluated using one-way analysis of variance followed by a Tukey's post-hoc test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. GC–MS profiling produced 12 tentatively identified chromatographic constituents. These assignments were based on analytical/library matching and were not considered confirmed compound identities or evidence of individual biological activity. Alloxan induction produced marked hyperglycaemia in the diabetic groups. At Day 28, blood glucose differed significantly among groups F (5,30) = 1431.660, p < 0.001). Relative to the alloxan control, the ethyl acetate fraction produced mean reductions of 228.80, 271.88, and 296.06 mg/dL at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg respectively, with corresponding glucose levels of 161.82 ± 7.26, 118.74 ± 5.48, and 94.56 ± 4.35 mg/dL.These findings demonstrate promising dose-related antihyperglycaemic activity of the ethyl acetate fraction of A. vera, with progressively greater reductions in blood glucose observed at increasing doses.