Effects of aloe vera gel on serum transaminases, BUN and creatinine levels in weanling rats

Abstract

Aloe vera gel (AG) is believed to be harmless or non-toxic to use internally without any concrete evidence in the literature. This study was designed to resolve portion of this problem. Weanling male albino rats, weighing 30-45 g, were obtained at the onset of the experiments. They were divided into 5 major groups which were fed 0.5 ml distilled H(,2)O containing either 0,1,4,16, or 64 mg AG/100 g bw, po, b.i.d., respectively. Corresponding sets of rats from all five groups were sacrificed 1,3,5,7,21, or 42 days after AG administrations. Sera were collected and measured for SGOT and SGPT activities and Bun and creatinine levels according to the established methods. The liver, heart, spleen, kidneys and testes were removed and weighed and the liver and kidneys were processed for histopathological study. It was found that the activities of SGOT and SGPT and levels of Bun and creatinine in all experimental groups were not different from their respective control values. The histology of the liver and kidneys in the AG-treated groups were similar to the control organs. The growth rate of each experimental group of rats was identical to the controls. With the exception of rats receiving 64 mg AG/100 g for 3 and 5 days, the relative organ weights in all AG-treated groups were not different from the control weights. While the relative heart, spleen and kidney weights in rats treated with 64 mg AG/100 g, b.i.d., for 3 and5 days were normal, the liver weights of these rats were significantly (p<0.01) decreased from the corresponding control level. The results from this study, have further substantiated that lyophilized AG prepared in the manners described in the dissertation can be taken orally with no or only slight adversed effects on the liver and kidneys in rats. Hence, attempts to use AG as curative agent for gastric ulcers in man is encouraged.