Effectiveness of Aloe vera on the antioxidant status of different tissues in irradiated rats

This study was performed to evaluate the role of Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) on the antioxidant status in different tissues of animals whole body exposed to 7 Gy gamma radiations, delivered as a shot dose. Aloe vera (leaf juice filtrate) was supplemented daily to rats (0.25 ml/kg body weight/day), by gavage, 5 days before irradiation and 10 days after irradiation. Experimental investigations performed 3, 7 and 10 days after exposure to radiation showed that Aloe vera treatment has significantly minimized the radiation-induced increase in the amount of malondialdehyde in liver, lungs, and kidney tissues of irradiated rats. Significant amelioration in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities was observed from the 3^rd up to the 10^th days for lungs, on the 7^th and 10^th days for kidneys and at 10 days for liver. Data obtained showed that for the different tissues, improvement in the decrease of reduced glutathione (GSH) contents was obvious on the 10^th day after irradiation. Treatment with Aloe vera was also effective in minimizing the radiation-induced increase in plasma glucose levels throughout the experimental period, while it has not ameliorated the increase in plasma insulin levels. It could be concluded that the synergistic relationship between the elements found in the leaf of Aloe vera could be a useful adjunct for maintaining the integrity of the antioxidant status.