Evaluating the hepatoprotective efficacy of Aloe vera polysaccharides against subchronic exposure of aflatoxins B1

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of Aloe vera polysaccharides (APs), the main bioactive components in Aloe vera gel, against AFB 1 -induced hepatotoxicity in a subchronic AFB 1 -exposed rat model and to investigate the possible underlying mechanisms. As a result, APs effectively restrained the loss of appetite, impairment of organs, attenuated serum aminotransferases and TBIL levels, and ameliorated histopathological alterations in AFB 1 -intoxicated rats. Co-administration of APs markedly down-regulated the hepatic expression of IL-1β and IL-6, and significantly inhibited the generation of MDA and the decrease in antioxidants (GSH, SOD, CAT and GSH-Px). Furthermore, APs significantly inhibited the AFB 1 -dependent elevation in gene expression, synthesis and activities of CYP1A2/3A4 enzymes, and evidently enhanced GST enzyme activity, thus decreasing the hepatotoxicity of AFB 1 . These results indicated that APs bear protective efficacy against AFB 1 -induced subchronic hepatotoxicity, which can be attributed to its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory capacities, and its ability to regulate the generation and excretion of toxic AFBO. This work poses importance for developing hepatoprotective functional food from Aloe vera , which would conduce to people under chronic exposure of AFB 1 in developing countries.