One-year chronic toxicity study of Aloe arborescens Miller var. natalensis Berger in Wistar Hannover rats. A pilot study

Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 Feb;46(2):733-9. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2007.09.107. Epub 2007 Oct 1.

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the chronic toxicity of Aloe arborescens Miller var. natalensis Berger (ALOE) in the diet at doses of 4.0%, 0.8% or 0.16% to groups of male and female Wistar Hannover rats. No deaths occurred at any dose level throughout the treatment period. Both sexes receiving 4.0% showed diarrhea, with a reduced body weight gain. Increase of WBCs in the male 4.0% group, decrease of Hb in the female 4.0% and 0.8% groups, decrease of IP in the male 4.0% and 0.8% groups and female 4.0% group, and decrease of Ca and ALT in the female 4.0% group were observed. Relative kidney weight showed increase in the female 4.0% group and relative heart and brain weights were decreased in the female 4.0% and 0.8% groups. Histopathologically, both sexes receiving 4.0% showed severe sinus dilatation of ileocecal lymph nodes, and yellowish pigmentation of ileocecal lymph nodes and renal tubules. In conclusion, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for ALOE was the 0.16% in diet, which is equivalent to 87.7 and 109.7 mg/kg/day in males and females, respectively.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Eating / drug effects
  • Female
  • Kidney Tubules / drug effects*
  • Kidney Tubules / pathology
  • Lymph Nodes / drug effects*
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Male
  • Mannose-Binding Lectins / administration & dosage
  • Mannose-Binding Lectins / isolation & purification
  • Mannose-Binding Lectins / toxicity*
  • No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Pilot Projects
  • Plant Leaves
  • Plant Lectins / administration & dosage
  • Plant Lectins / isolation & purification
  • Plant Lectins / toxicity*
  • Rats

Substances

  • Mannose-Binding Lectins
  • Plant Lectins
  • mannose-binding lectin, Kidachi Aloe