Antioxidant activity and preventive effect of aqueous leaf extract of Aloe Vera on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in male Wistar rats.

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the nephroprotective and curative effects of aqueous extract of AV on gentamicin-induced tubular toxicity in male Wistar rats were investigated. Antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoid contents of AV were also determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a preclinical study, 60 male Wistar rats were designated into 6 groups of 10 and treated as follows: Group I: Treated with vehicle (distilled water) and kept as control. Group II: Received 300 mg/kg/d AV for three days then, AV plus GM (80 mg/kg; intraperitoneally) for 7 more days and sacrificed. Group III: Received 300 mg/kg AV orally for 10 days, then sacrificed. Group IV: Received GM for 7 days and sacrificed. Group V: Received GM for 7 days and saline for ten days and sacrificed on 17th day. Group VI: Received GM for 7 days, then AV for 10 days and sacrificed. RESULTS: The levels of flavonoid and phenolic compounds in Aloe vera extract were 43 ± 3.8 mg/g (Rutin equivalent) and 80.1 ± 3.8 mg/g (Gallic acid equivalent), respectively. The antioxidant activity of the extract was 38%. The intensity of nephrotoxicity in group 2 that received AV 300 mg/kg/d as prophylaxis was not significantly different from the group I and from the group II which treated with 300 mg/kg/d AV without GM. This finding reveals that AV as prophylaxis could potentially attenuate the GM-induced nephrotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Aole vera significantly protects the renal cells and reduces the severity of tubular damage caused by gentamicin. However, it cannot regenerate tubular damage.