Long Period Starvation in Rat: The Effect of Aloe Vera Gel Extract on Oxidative Stress Status

Laleh Shahraki Mojahed,Mehdi Saeb,Saeed Nazifi,Mohammad Mohsen Mohammadi

doi:10.3823/2123

Abstract

Objective: Starvation have pro-oxidative effect as a consequence of both elevated ROS generation and defeat in neutralization of ROS. Aloe vera juice induced oxidative stress and significantly decreased antioxidant enzymes levels. The main aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of Aloe vera gel extract on oxidative stress status during long period starvation Method: Twenty-four mature male albino Wistar rats were housed in standard cages. In this study starvation cycle (rats were starved for two days and then were fed for one day) was used. This study was performed during intermediate period (60 days).Animals were divided into four experimental groups (six rats in each group): 1) normal control; 2) starved rats + water/ethanol; 3) starved rats + hydro-alcoholic Aloe vera gel extract (100 mg/kg); 4) starved rats + hydro-alcoholic Aloe vera gel extract (200 mg/kg); 5) Without starvation with hydro-alcoholic Aloe Vera gel extract (100 mg/kg); 6) Without starvation with hydro-alcoholic Aloe Vera gel extract (200 mg/kg). Blood samples were obtained using cardiac puncture. In blood samples, antioxidant enzymes including SOD, GPx and catalase, antioxidant trace elements including copper, zinc and magnesium and antioxidant vitamins including vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C were measured Results: Plasma levels of antioxidant enzymes (SOD,GPX and catalase) significantly decreased in starved rats + water/ethanol group (P 0.05). Plasma levels of vitamin A and E in normal control group had no significant difference with starved rats + water/ethanol and starved rats + hydro-alcoholic Aloe vera gel extract in the 100 and 200 mg/kg dose groups (P > 0.05). Plasma level of vitamin C significantly decreased in starved rats + water/ethanol group (P < 0.05). Plasma level of vitamin C after treatment with hydro-alcoholic Aloe vera gel extract at doses 100 and 200 mg/kg was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Also, plasma level of vitamin C in normal rats (without starvation) after treatment with hydro-alcoholic Aloe vera gel extract at doses 100 and 200 mg/kg was significantly increased (P < 0.05) Conclusion: In concluding our results it is shown that intermediate period starvation caused an increase in oxidative stress via impairing of antioxidant defense and Aloe vera treatment is able to improve antioxidative defense induced by starvation

Highlights

Oxidative stress results in imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and cellular antioxidant defense
Our results shown that long period starvation caused an increase in oxidative stress via impairing of antioxidant defense and Aloe vera treatment is able to improve antioxidative defense induced by long period starvation
Hydro-alcoholic Aloe vera gel extract Aloe vera gel powder was provided from Anamis Aloe vera Company

Summary

Introduction

Oxidative stress results in imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and cellular antioxidant defense. Oxidative stress contributes to pathogenesis of some diseases as well as ageing process [1]. Various factors such as environmental, dietary factors and diseases affect stress oxidative level in body [1, 2]. Antioxidant defense, has different components involving enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense. Enzymatic antioxidant defense includes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT). Non-enzymatic antioxidants include ascorbic acid (vitamin C), tocopherol (Vitamin E), glutathione (GSH), carotenoids, flavonoids, and other antioxidants [1]

Methods

Results

Conclusion