Acute and sub-acute oral toxicity of aqueous whole leaf and green rind extracts of Aloe vera in Wistar rats

Abstract

Background Several local communities in Central, Western, Eastern, and Northern regions of Uganda have been using the whole leaf extracts of Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. (Asphodelaceae) in the treatment of various ailments. Also, several commercial companies sell A. vera as soft drinks in Uganda. However, there are inadequate reports on the toxicities of such preparations. This paper reports the acute and sub-acute oral toxicity of aqueous extracts of whole leaf and green rind of A. vera in Wistar rats. Methods Acute oral toxicity test was carried out in female Wistar rats at doses of 175, 550, 1750, and 5000 mg/kg, p.o. The animals were observed for signs of toxicity for 14 days. Similarly, a sub-acute oral toxicity test was performed in both sexes of rats at doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg, p.o. daily for 28 days. All the groups of animals were monitored for behavioral, morphological, biochemical, and physiological changes, including mortality and compared with respective controls. Body weights were measured weekly while the animals’ relative organ weights, hematological, biochemical, gross, and microscopic pathology were examined on day 29. Results There was no mortality or apparent behavioral changes at the doses tested in acute and sub-acute oral toxicity tests. Thus, the Median Lethal Dose (LD50) of green rind and whole leaf aqueous extracts was above 5000 mg/kg. Gross anatomy revealed that the rats’ relative spleen weight in green rind extract at 200 mg/kg significantly decreased compared to the control group. The creatinine levels in female rats that received green rind extract and the chloride ion levels in male rats administered whole leaf extract were significantly elevated. Conversely, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) levels significantly decreased at lower doses of the green rind extract compared to the control. Histopathology of the kidney revealed the renal interstitium’s inflammation at doses of 200 and 800 mg/kg of the whole leaf extract. Conclusion The findings demonstrated that A. vera green rind and whole leaf extracts are non-toxic at relatively high doses when used for a short duration. Prolonged use of the aqueous whole leaf extract might be associated with kidney toxicity.

Sauna Bathing Habits and Erectile Dysfunction-Tampere Ageing Male Urologic Study (TAMUS)

“…Acute toxicity tests provide preliminary information on the toxic nature after administration of a single dose of a test substance to determine the dose that will cause serious toxicological effects that occurs either immediately or at a short-term. They also serve to provide information on doses that should be used in subsequent studies, such that the estimation of LD50 is critical in carrying out toxicological investigations on chemicals, including plant extracts [36,37]. In the present study, female Wistar rats received a single oral dose of 2000 mg/kg b.w of PAAE, and signs of toxicity and mortality were observed for 14 days.…”

The adverse impact of Aloe Vera gel extract and Aloe Vera-fortified yogurt on hepatic and renal functions

“…Several reports showed a promising protective impact of Aloe Vera on hepatic (Nahar et al, 2013;Saito et al, 2012;Werawatganon et al, 2014) and renal tissues (Chatterjee et al, 2012;Saada et al, 2003;Sumi et al, 2019). However other reports showed that Aloe Vera or its constituents might exert an irritant effect in renal (Fogleman et al, 1992;Nalimu et al, 2022) and hepatic tissues (Curciarello et al, 2008;Lee et al, 2014;Parlati et al, 2017). For more elucidation of the Aloe Vera effect, the current study focused on the impact of Aloe Vera's gel extract after one-week oral administration in albino rats as well as its impact as an enrichment to yogurt.…”

“…Aloe Vera constitutes bioactive components such as acemannan, and mucopolysaccharides which can induce pyelonephritis, bleeding, and enlargement of rat kidneys (Fogleman et al, 1992). Renal toxicity is more likely to occur with higher doses and chronic administration of Aloe Vera (Nalimu et al, 2022). Moreover, oral administration of Aloe Vera can induce pigmentation of the kidney and thickness of the colon (Chen et al, 2017).…”

Acute and Subchronic Toxicity Studies on the Aqueous Extract of the Plant Mixture (Bidens pilosa and Cymbopogon citratus Aerial Parts) in Rat Model

“…Toxicity may manifest itself in the haematopoietic system, in the form of a decrease in the number of circulating cells, functional and structural alterations, and, more rarely, changes in morphology [35]. Terefore, the evaluation of haematological parameters is essential to establish the efects of plant extracts on animal's blood system.…”