Prevention of radiation-induced hepatic damge on swiss albino mice by aloe vera leaf extract

PREVENTION OF RADIATION-INDUCED HEPATIC DAMAGE ON SWISS ALBINO MICE BY ALOE VERA LEAF EXTRACT
Prashasnika Gehlot and P.K. Goyal*

Radiation and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology,

University of Rajasthan, Jaipur 302004, India
*Corresponding author E-mail; [e-mail],

ABSTRACT
The radioprotective effect of Aloe vera leaf extract (AVE) was studied in Swiss albino mice against radiation-induced changes in the liver. The mice were treated with 1000 mg /kg body weight of AVE orally once daily for 15 consecutive days before exposure to an acute dose of 6 Gy of gamma radiation after the last administration. Irradiation of mice caused a significant elevation in lipid peroxidation with the decrease in the glutathione, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase. Treatment of mice with AVE before irradiation elevated the glutathione, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase accompanied by a decline in lipid peroxidation. The recovery and regeneration were faster in AVE pretreated animals than the irradiation alone. The data clearly indicate that the AVE significantly reduced the deleterious effect of radiation in the liver and could be a useful agent in reducing the side effects of therapeutic radiation.

Key Words: Aloe vera, liver, gamma radiation, Swiss albino mice, LPO

Corresponding author Email: [e-mail]. Phone [phone], fax

(1) 0141-2742309 (2) 0141-2740867 Radiation and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Rajasthan University, Jaipur 302004, India.

INTRODUCTION

Gamma radiation is the most commonly used source of ionizing radiation to treat neoplastic disorders in clinical conditions. Clinical success of radiotherapy depends on its ability to selectively kill tumor cells while sparing the normal surrounding tissues. The response of mammalian cells to ionizing radiation sat the cellular and molecular levels is complex and is an molecular levels is complex and is an irreversible process that is dependent on both the radiation dose and tissue –weighting factor[1].
Due to lack of an effective protective agent, newer compounds are currently under investigation as possible adjuvant in the radiation treatment of cancer, and herbal medicines have only recently begun to receive some attention as possible modifiers of the radiation response [2].
Studies carried out in the past 15 years have shown that herbal preparation such as Liv. 52 [3], Brahmarasayana [4], Pododphyllum [5], Ocimum sanctum [6], Triphala [7], Emblica officinalis [8], Rosemarinus officinalis [9] reduced radiation –induced damage in different body systems.

One such popularly known used plant is Aloe vera barbadensis [10] belonging to family Liliacae and consists of about more than 250 species [11]. It is commonly called “Guar –patha” or Ghee-Guar. It is rich in vitamin A, E, C and Zinc and Selenium. It is reported to have antioxidant, anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities [12, 13].

The present investigation has been made to assess the radioprotective efficacy of Aloe vera leaf extract in the hepatic constituents of Swiss albino mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS