Hepatoprotective activity of Aloe vera Gel against Paracetamol Induced Hepatotoxicity in albino rats.

Objectives: To study the hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract of Aloe vera in paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. Methods: Hepatotoxicity was induced with a single dose of paracetamol 3g/kg orally. The curative and regenerative effect of Aloe vera on paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity was studied. N acetyl cysteine was used as standard treatment for hepatotoxicity in this study. The animals were divided into eight groups(n=6). First four groups received either vehicle (2% gum acacia), Aloe vera (250 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg ) or N- acetylcysteine ( 450mg/kg) single dose orally with paracetamol 3g/kg orally. The next four groups of animals received the same treatment for 7 days along with single dose of paracetamol 3g/kg orally. After the treatment period the blood samples were collected from orbital sinus and aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were estimated. Liver homogenates were used for estimation of tissue thiol levels. Results: Paracetamol in the dose of 3g/kg significantly elevated AST , ALT and ALP and depleted the liver thiol levels when compared with vehicle treated group. Single day treatment with the aqueous extract of Aloe vera in the dose of 250 and 500mg/kg reduced the AST, and ALT levels significantly (p<0.01). 500mg /kg of the extract also reduced the ALP levels and restored the depleted liver thiol levels significantly (p<0.01), however there was no effect on alkaline phosphatase and liver thiols by Aloe vera in the dose of 250mg/kg.Seven day treatment with both the doses of Aloe vera significantly reduced the levels of AST, ALT and ALP significantly (p<0.01) and restored the depleted liver thiol levels significantly (p<0.01). Surprisingly, Nacetylcysteine the drug used to treat paracetamol toxicity on single or seven day treatment reduced only AST and ALT levels with no effect on ALP and liver thiols. Conclusion: This study shows that the aqueous extract of Aloe vera has hepatoprotective activity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]