ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Investigating the Ameliorative Potential of the
Aloe barbadensis Aqueous Fraction on Oxidative
Stress Markers and Biochemical Parameters
in Cadmium-Intoxicated Rabbits
Naqi Hussain1, Muhammad Nawaz Chaudhary1, Aftab Ahmed Anjum2,
Naeem Abbas3, Muhammad Naeem Khan4, Syed Maaz Nadeem5
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1College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore
2Department of Microbiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore
3Centre of Environmental Protection Studies, Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Lahore
4Applied Chemistry Research Centre, Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Lahore
5Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore
Submission date: 2016-06-16
Final revision date: 2016-07-15
Acceptance date: 2016-07-15
Publication date: 2016-11-24
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2016;25(6):2423-2433
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ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to evaluate the possible protective effects of the flavonoid-rich fraction
of Aloe barbadensis leaf skin on cadmium (Cd)-induced toxicity in male albino rabbits. Cadmium is
a notable environmental pollutant due to its wider range of toxic manifestations. The aqueous fraction of
aloe extract (AAF) showed higher phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity among other fractions,
suggesting its rationale use in this study. Twenty-four rabbits were randomly divided into four groups,
including the control group (receiving only vehicle), the Cd group (receiving Cd, 5.1 mg/kg/day), the AAF
groups (receiving AAF, 200 mg/Kg/day), and the Cd+AAF group (receiving the same concentrations as the
Cd and AAF groups). Oral treatment over a period of 40 days significantly increased (p<0.05) biochemical
marker enzymes, including transaminases (AST, ALT), alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transferase,
creatinine, and urea, while total bilirubin (Tb) and albumin were decreased on days 10, 20, 30, and 40 in the
Cd group as compared to control. A significant decrease (p<0.05) in enzyme levels and increases in Tb and
albumin for Cd+AAF were observed as compared to Cd-treated rabbits. Contents of superoxide dismutase,
catalase, and vitamins C and E in liver and kidney tissues were significantly increased (p<0.05), while
cadmium content was significantly decreased (p<0.05) for Cd+AAF rabbits as compared to Cd-intoxicated
rabbits. Values of all the parameters in only the AAF group were near to control. The histopathological
studies for liver and kidney have also supported the Cd+AAF group markedly reducing the toxicity
of Cd in both tissues to near normal. Thus, the results suggest that the flavonoid-rich fraction of AAF may
act as a natural protective agent against Cd toxicity via suppressing oxidative stress due to higher antioxidant
activity.