The effect of Aloe vera leaf gel on fatty streak formation in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Nasim Dana, Shaghayegh Haghjooy Javanmard, Sedigheh Asgary, Hossein Asnaashari, Narges Abdian

Abstract


  • BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is a complex disease that is associated with a variety of etiologic factors such as hyperlipidemia and inflammation. aloe vera (Liliaceae family) has been used traditionally as an anti-inflammatory drug. The aims of this survey were to define the beneficial effects of aloe vera leaf gel on some of the atherosclerosis risk factors, and the fatty streak formation in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.
  • METHODS: 32 white male rabbits were randomly divided into four experimental groups (n = 8, each). During the study, the animals had a standard diet (control group), high cholesterol diet (HC group), high cholesterol diet with aloe vera leaf gel (3.2%v/v) (HC+ aloe group) and aloe vera leaf gel (Aloe group) for 30 days.
  • Fasting blood samples were collected from all animals at the beginning and at the end of the study. Then their total cholesterol (TC), fasting blood sugar (FBS), triglyceride (TG) and CRP were measured before and after the experimental period. By the end of the study, the aortas were removed and investigated for atherosclerosis plaque formation.
  • RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the TC and CRP levels of the high-cholesterol diet with aloe vera and the high-cholesterol diet alone (p < 0.05). The formation of fatty streaks in the aorta was also significantly lower in the same animals under the influence of dietary aloe vera(p < 0.05). The control and aloe group did not show any evidence of atherosclerosis. No significant difference was found between the TG and FBS groups.
  • CONCLUSIONS: The data suggests that aloe vera is effective in preventing the development of fatty streak; it may reduce the development of atherosclerosis through the modification of risk factors. However, further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms whereby this plant exerts its anti-atherosclerotic effects.
  • KEYWORDS:Atherosclerosis, Aloe Vera, C-Reactive Protein, Fatty Streak, Inflammation

Keywords


Atherosclerosis , Aloe vera, C-Reactive Protein, fatty streak, inflammation

Full Text:

PDF XML