Treatment‐related changes after short‐term exposure of SD rats to Aloe vera whole‐leaf freeze‐dried powder

Abstract

Aloe vera is a widely used natural herb from which many sorts of commercial products have been derived using different preparation technologies. Aloe whole-leaf powder is one of the most popular subtypes. The long-term impact of aloe products has already been reported; however, there have been few studies about short-term exposure, and especially about the relative impact of Aloe vera whole-leaf freeze-dried powder (AWFP). To provide more toxicological data and to document the early changes induced by AWFP, in this study 120 SD rats were divided into four groups (control and 400/1200/2000 mg/kg treatment groups) and were administered AWFP once daily by oral gavage for 28 consecutive days, followed by a two week recovery phase. The results showed that AWFP could induce soft/loose changes in faeces. Significantly decreased white blood cell (WBC) counts, associated with reduced lymphocyte counts were also noted. The relative organ weight, including both organ-to-body weight ratio and organ-to-brain weight ratio of kidneys, was significantly increased in 2000 mg/kg compared with that in controls. Histopathologically, pigmentation in the kidneys and increased mucosal thickness in colon were also noted in a dose response groups. Other changes observed in the study were not considered to be treatment related, and 400 mg/kg was considered as the no-observed-adverse-effect level. The study provided clear evidence of treatment-related changes with a short-term exposure to AWFP. This is also the first report of the early colon morphologic changes associated with stool changes noted previously in-life phase, providing additional toxicity data which will contribute to our understanding about the short-term usage of AWFP as a remedy.

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

“…For the present study the high Hb and HCT levels were not considered to be of toxicity since they were still in the normal range of (13.7–16.8) g/dL and (37.9–49.9) % respectively for female Wistar rats aged 8–16 weeks [ 37 ]. Contrary to our findings, Chen et al found no significant changes in Hb and HCT levels in rats that received A. vera whole leaf powder at 400, 1200, and 2000 mg/kg in rats [ 22 ].…”

“…Besides, reduced MCH and MCHC levels indicate diminished oxygenation of the tissues [ 35 ]. These results differ from a study by Chen et al where no significant variations were seen in the MCH and MCHC levels when Aloe vera whole leaf freeze-dried powder (AWFP) was administered to rats [ 22 ]. The discrepancies could be due to the differences in the preparation method.…”

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 ].…”

Safety evaluation of Aloe vera soft capsule in acute, subacute toxicity and genotoxicity study

“…Some studies have indicated that Aloe vera downregulated inflammatory cytokines, which played an important role in inflammatory cells genesis [ 27 , 28 ]. Furthermore, it was reported that Aloe vera whole leaf freeze-dried powder might induce the reduction in WBC and LY [ 29 ]. In this study, the WBC and LY in the 3300 mg/kg group were not fewer than the control group.…”