Effect of antioxidant enzymes and electrolytes of Aloe vera juice on the toxicity induced by ethionamide and para-aminosalicylic acid on Sprague-Dawley rats
Authors: Shaikh Azal , Zodape Gautam 
Published: April 2024

Background: This aim is so widely used and believed to have healing properties that it is called “true aloe.” Aloe vera has been used for centuries to treat laxity and as a cleansing cleanser. Some of the most common health benefits of are as follows: Promotes wound healing, anti-fungal activity, hypoglycemia or antidiabetes effects, anti-inflammatory properties, anticancer properties, immobilomodulatory properties, and gastroprotective properties.

Aims and Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the antioxidant activity of A. vera juice against antituberculosis drugs ethionamide (ETH) and para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) by quantifying antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase (CAT) and electrolytes in rats.

Materials and Methods: Fresh leaves of A. vera were collected from botanical garden and the sample was identified. The sample was brought to the laboratory of the Department of Zoology at Patkar-Verde College, Goregaon, Mumbai. 50 g of leaves were ground with 50 mL of distilled water in a sterilized pestle and mortar and the yield so determined by comparing the weight of the extract with the weight of pulp. In the experiment, 48 Sprague-Dawley rats of either sex (average weight 150–250 g) were used. Each group was given the drugs ETH, PAS drug, and A. vera juice on a daily basis for 28 days. The serum of the rat was withdrawn and analyzed for antioxidant enzymes and electrolyte levels.

Results: We observed a decrease in the level of GSH in rats treated with anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs ETH and PAS. However, when A. vera juice was coadministered with PAS, either independently or in combination, it resulted in improved levels of GSH. In addition, the rats treated with A. vera juice showed a decrease in the level of MDA. Furthermore, coadministration of A. vera juice in combination with ETH + PAS + A. vera juice led to increased levels of CAT in rats. The concentration of Na+ in rats treated with A. vera juice in combination with ETH and PAS showed a decrease, which could potentially aid in normal metabolism. On the other hand, the elevation of K+ in the rats treated with A. vera juice indicates their adaptation to salinity, as K+ levels act somatically to prevent influx into roots and shoots. This elevation in K+ can be utilized to lower salt levels in rats experiencing stress. Moreover, the rats treated solely with A. vera juice exhibited the lowest level of Ca+, confirming their low salt stress condition. Finally, it was observed that the rats treated with A. vera juice experienced depletion in A. vera concentration.

Conclusion: Based on the aforementioned findings, it can be inferred that A. vera is rich in phenolic and flavonoids, which exhibit antioxidant properties. This unequivocally demonstrates that possesses the ability to scavenge free radicals and plays a beneficial role in combating pathological conditions induced by reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, it has been established that reduces electrolyte levels and diminishes salt accumulation in comparison to groups administered with anti-TB medications ETH and PAS.