Radical-scavenging effects of Aloe arborescens Miller on prevention of pancreatic islet B-cell destruction in rats

We evaluated the possible scavenging effects of Aloe arborescens Miller var. natalensis Berger (Kidachi aloe in Japanese) on free radicals generated by streptozotocin (Sz) or alloxan (Ax). The components of Kidachi aloe were added to a reaction system in which (OH)-O-. radicals derived from Sz or Ax as pancreatic islet B-cell toxins and hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase (HX-XO)-derived O-2 radicals destroy isolated islet B-cells, and we observed its preventive effects. The Kidachi aloe components inhibited the destruction of rat pancreatic islet B-cells by Sz, Ax or HX-XO. These components were prepared in the form of a freeze-dried powder of the boiled leaf skin of Kidachi aloe, and measurement of 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity showed higher radical-scavenging activity in this boiled leaf skin powder than the non-boiled leaf skin powder. Furthermore, HPLC chromatograms of the "Boiled leaf skin powder" were similar to those of commercially available aloin (barbaloin content: approximately 20%). Therefore, the main component may be a phenol compound. In addition, the phenolic fraction of the Boiled leaf skin contained large amounts of 2'-O-p-coumaroylaloesin and 2'-O-feruloylaloesin, which have higher DPPH radical-scavenging activity than barbaloin. These results suggest that the action mechanism of Kidachi aloe Boiled leaf skin components, which prevent destruction of the pancreatic islets by specific pancreatic islet toxins such as Sz, Ax, and HX-XO, involves inhibition of free radical-scavenging effects, and may be associated with a thermostable low molecular component. The co-existence of Kidachi aloe-derived 2'-O-p-coumaroylaloesin, 2'-O-feruloylaloesin, and aloin may result in the potentiation of radical-scavenging activity. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.