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 28^th 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.