Renal-Protective Activity of Dried Gel of Aloe barbadensis (Elwa) on Gentamicin- Induced Nephrotoxicity in Albino Rats

Introduction: Elwa (Aloe barbadensis / Aloe vera) is also known as Sibr in Unani medicine, which is dried juice obtained by the inspissations and used to treat many diseases, especially digestive disorders, arthritis, gastric ulcer, jaundice, amenorrhoea, kidney diseases, diseases of spleen and liver, constipation, nervine disorders, wounds, burns, scalds, and other skin diseases. Methods: The aim of this study was to evaluate the nephroprotective activity of Aloe barbadensis gel (ABG) on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Wistar rats were divided into four groups of six animals in each. Group I (control); group II, III and IV were administered gentamicin 100 mg/kg/d subcutaneously from day four to eight. The lower (350 mg/kg) and higher doses (1260 mg/kg) of crude ABG were co-administrated orally in group III and group IV from day 1. On the 9th day, animals were sacrificed and their serum was studied for blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine and kidneys were prepared for histopathological analysis. Gentamicin alone treated group showed increased levels of blood urea nitrogen (118.76 ± 0.90) and creatinine (3.42 ± 0.13) that were significantly inhibited in groups pretreated with lower [blood urea nitrogen (40.13±0.56); creatinine (1.64±0.13)] and higher [blood urea nitrogen (55.79 ± 0.71); creatinine (2.50 ± 0.06)] doses of crude Aloe barbadensis gel. Results: The histopathological analysis also showed the protective nature of Aloe barbadensis gel in gentamicin-induced renal damage. Discussion: In conclusion, the biochemical parameters and histopathological results confirmed the nephroprotective effect of the crude Aloe barbadensis gel against gentamicin-induced renal damage.