Protective Effects of Aloe vera Gel Ethanolic Extract Against Streptozotocin-induced Hepato-pancreatic Toxicity in Female Albino Rats

Abstract

Aims: Organ toxicity results from the accumulation of toxic substances in the organs which ultimately culminates in failure of the organ. Allopathic medications are not very effective in organ protection. Hence, it is imperative that a natural and safer organoprotective agent should be found. Study Design: To assess the organoprotective effect of Aloe vera gel against STZ for renal, hepato and pancreatic toxicity in albino Wistar rats. Place and Duration of Study: Whole work had been completed at the Microbiology and Molecular biology labs of IMBB, The University of Lahore during 2019- 2020. Methodology: Organoprotective ability of different doses of ethanolic extracts of Aloe vera (A. vera) gel was evaluated against intraperitoneal induction of 55mg/kg Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced pancreatic, renal and hepatic toxicity in female albino Wistar rats by keeping metformin (100mg/kg) as a positive protective control. Results: Results revealed that 200 mg/kg ethanolic extracts of A. vera gel showed significant organoprotection as ALT (57.5±7.45I U/L), AST (39.8±3.45I U/L), ALP (438±103I U/L), urea (74.1±8.71mg/dl), creatinine (0.688±0.146 mg/dl), amylase (1247±75 U/L) and lipase (16.6±2.02 U/L) were significantly less than organotoxic control [ALT (103±7.23I U/L), AST (237±12.7I U/L), ALP (2092±195 U/L), Urea (153±18.6mg/dl), Creatinine (1.54±0.262 mg/dl), amylase (675±83 U/L) and lipase (12.2±1.04 U/L)], and these results were near or equal to organoprotective control [ALT (71.6±8.98I U/L), AST (121±28.1 U/L), ALP (916±103 U/L), urea (115±11.4mg/dl), creatinine (1.14±0.226 mg/dl), amylase (667±80 U/L) and lipase (16.6±2.02 U/L)]. The histopathological analysis also highlighted more organoprotection at this concentration as compared to other doses of extract. Conclusion: A. vera gel extract is an able organoprotective agent. This extract can be studied further for its active ingredients as a source of hepatoprotective and nephroprotective agents.