Histological Effect of Aloe Vera Gel on Liver of Albino Rats

Abstract

The liver plays a vital role in metabolism, detoxification, and overall physiological homeostasis, making it susceptible to damage from both synthetic and natural compounds. Aloe vera, a commonly used medicinal plant, has gained attention for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties. This study aimed to assess the histological effects of orally administered Aloe vera gel on the liver of albino rats. Fifty (50) adult male and female albino rats were randomly divided into five groups (A–E) of ten rats each. Group A served as the control and received distilled water, while Groups B to E were administered Aloe vera gel orally at doses of 1.4 ml, 2.8 ml, 8.4 ml, and 13.9 ml for 14 days. Rats were weighed before and after treatment, and liver tissues were harvested for histological examination using standard hematoxylin and eosin staining protocols. Body weight data were analyzed using ANOVA with significance set at p < 0.05. All groups exhibited statistically significant (p = 0.01) increases in body weight post-treatment. Histologically, the control and low-dose groups (1.4 ml and 2.8 ml) showed normal liver architecture with preserved hepatic sinusoids and Kupffer cells. However, higher doses (8.4 ml and 13.9 ml) resulted in dose-dependent histopathological changes, including swollen hepatocytes, vascular congestion, central vein shrinkage, and hepatic necrosis. These findings indicate a potential hepatotoxic effect at elevated doses of Aloe vera gel. Caution is therefore advised in the therapeutic use of Aloe vera, especially at high concentrations or with prolonged exposure