Preclinical toxicological evaluation of Aloe vera health drinks in wistar rats

Abstract

Human consumption of Aloe vera as a beverage has recently increased in popularity. These benefits are controversial with some sources pointing out that the putative effects of aloe are unsupported by clinical studies; it is important that marketed products be tested for toxicities following oral consumption. Hence this study was designed to evaluate the toxicological effect of marketed aloe health drinks. Thirty either sex Wistar rats (200-300gm) were enrolled in this study and are divided into 5 groups. Group I receives Normal saline serves as vehicle control, Group II and III receives Product A- Low dose (0.5 ml twice daily, p.o) and High dose (1.0 ml twice daily, p.o) respectively. Group IV and V receives Product B- Low dose (0.5 ml twice daily, p.o) and High dose (1.0 ml twice daily, p.o) respectively. Weekly body weight and daily feed intake were measured. On 28th day total urine output volume, faecal consistency, Haematological, biochemical, and organ weight were measured to assess the toxicity of aloe health drinks. The result of this study shows that continuous usage of aloe health drinks showed milder weight reduction, significant improvement in erythropoiesis also it increases the WBC count and increases the weight of spleen it may confirm the immune modulatory effect of aloe health drink. At the higher doses, it increased the SGOT, SGPT, serum urea and creatinine it may lead to the hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. In gastrointestinal tract on prolonged uses, it produced few lesions and diarrhoea. It might be concluded that prolonged consumption of unprocessed aloe health drink contains latex, an ingredient which has many health risks associated with it. So it can aggravate health problems.

Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox

“…In other studies, Aloe vera health drinks A and B administered over 28 days caused slight weight reduction and increase in white blood cell, red blood cell count, liver enzymes, serum urea, and creatinine levels in the rats given a volume of 1.0 cm 3 [ 72 ]. A. vera leaf powder at a dose of 400, 1200, and 2000 mg/kg caused a significant reduction in white blood cell count and pigmentation of the kidneys in Sprague-Dawley rats [ 73 ].…”

Phytochemicals and Toxicological Effects of Herbal Drink (Hd) on Liver and Kidney in Wistar Rats

“…The results of liver function markers (Table 3), the albumin concentration for treatment groups T2 and T3 are significantly higher (p<0.05) www.kjhs.kiu.ac.ug https://doi.org/10.59568/KJHS-2023-3-1-01 KJHS 3(1); 2023. Page (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14) than that of the NC. The Albumin concentration for the T1 shows no significant difference with the NC (P=0.1606).…”

“…Herbal drugs though obtained from plants, have active ingredients that are still potent chemicals and therefore, they can have adverse effects and interactions with drugs, with each other, food or alcohol (11). Herbal drugs can induce toxicity due to their complex nature and variability since they are obtained mainly from plants and processed through different methods and steps which may include harvesting, grinding, drying and boiling (12).…”

“…www.kjhs.kiu.ac.ug https://doi.org/10.59568/KJHS-2023-3-1-01 KJHS 3(1); 2023. Page(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14) rind extracts of Aloe vera in Wistar rats. Qualitative phytochemical composition of herbal drink (HD)…”

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“…The analyses of hematological parameters are the perceptive indicators of the clinical toxicity of drugs and chemical molecules. [12][13][14] Repeated dosing of Kalsiwin over 90 days does not produce any significant changes in the erythrocytes, Hb, platelets, and differential leukocyte counts when compared with normal control. Hence, it reveals that the chronic administration of Kalsiwin does not alter the hematological parameters.…”