The Effects of Aloe Vera against Gentamicin-Induced Tubular Toxicity

Aloe vera is a well-known plant, has been used as alternative medicine. This study aimed to determine the antioxidant activity and phenolic and flavonoid quantities of Aloe vera to investigate the nephroprotective and curative effects of aqueous extract of this plant on gentamicin-induced tubular toxicity in male Wistar rats. This preclinical study was performed on 60 male Wistar rats randomly divided into 6 groups of 10. Group I were treated with vehicle (distilled water) as control. Group II received 300 mg/kg/day Aloe vera for three days next orally, then, the same oral Aloe vera plus 80 mg/kg/day intravenous gentamicin for seven more days. Group III received the same amount of oral Aloe vera for 10 days. Group IV received the same amount of intravenous gentamicin for 7 days. Group V received the same amount of intravenous gentamicin for 7 days and then, saline for ten days. Group VI received the same amount of intravenous gentamicin for 7 days and then, the same amount of oral Aloe vera for 10 days. The amounts of flavonoid and phenolic component in Aloe vera extract were 43.0 ± 3.8 mg/g of rutin equivalent and 80.1 ± 3.8 mg/g of gallic acid equivalent, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the extract was 38%. The intensity of nephrotoxicity in group 2, which received 300 mg/kg/day Aloe vera orally as prophylaxis was not significantly different from the group I and from the group II, which received the same amount of Aloe vera without gentamicin. In 4, 5, 6 groups the intensity of nephrotoxicity was more than 1, 2 and 3 groups. This finding reveals that despite the antioxidants and polyphenol compounds of Aloe vera, it cannot prevent or treat the gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity.