MODULATORY EFFECT OF ALOE VERA LEAF EXTRACT AGAINST SULPHUR DIOXIDE INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN ALBINO RAT

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidative effect of Aloe vera (A. vera) aqueous leaf extract on hepatotoxicity induced by SO₂ inhalation in male albino rats. Hepatotoxicity was assessed by estimating the Serum Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) and histopathological changes in liver of rats. Experimental rats were exposed to 80ppm hrd-1, SO₂ gas per day for 30 and 60 days. A significant increase in Serum ALP (P<0.001), AST (P<0.01), ALT (P<0.001), GGT (P<0.05) and histopathological changes include hepatocytes necrosis, degeneration of hepatocytes, centrilobular necrosis, ballooning degeneration and cellular debris have observed after SO₂ exposure in comparison to control rats. A marked reduction in liver injury is reported after exposure with oral administration  of  A. vera leaf extract (200mgkg-1 body  weight d-1) in comparison to SO₂ exposed rats. Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of A. vera shows potential to  modulate  the hepatocellular damage induced by SO₂  gas in rats.