Ameliorative effect of Masfon Aloe Vera gel on altered proteins, bilirubin levels and body weight in high salt loaded Rats

Abstract

Salt loading is association with numerous cellular damages occasioned by generation of free radicals, the liver which is the site for the production of vital substances including the serum proteins and bilirubin is not spared from this menace.  Aloe vera is a medicinal plant with huge healing potentials. With paucity in scientific literature on the impact of Masfon aloe vera gel on serum proteins, bilirubin levels (which are indicators of liver integrity) and body weight following high salt intake. It was therefore, the aim of this study to elucidate the effect of Masfon aloe vera on serum proteins, bilirubin levels and body weight in high salt loaded rats. Twenty four (24) male albino Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each.  The animals took normal rat chow, high salt diet (8% NaCl feed + 1% NaCl drinking water) and/or 3mL/kg b.w. of Masfon aloe vera gel for 42 days (6 weeks). The initial body weights of the control, normal treated (NT), salt fed (SF) and salt treated (ST) groups were 185.83±4.12g; 180.50 ± 1.71g; 185.33±2.35g and 176.50±5.38g respectively, showing no significant differences among the groups. The final body weights of SF (135.83±2.01g) reduced significantly (p<0.01) compared to other groups. The total protein level in the SF (55.00±1.03g/L) was significantly (p<0.05) higher compare to the control (50.33±1.76g/L) and NT (48.50 ±0.85g/L). No significant statistical differences were observed in serum albumin levels among the different experimental group (p>0.05). But the mean serum globulin concentration in the SF group (15.00±0.82g/L) increased significantly (p<0.01) compared to other experimental groups. The albumin to globulin ratio for the control group was 4.33 ±1.20, it was significantly (p<0.05) lower in ST compared to NT. The mean concentrations of total, conjugated, unconjugated bilirubin as  well as the conjugated to unconjugated bilirubin ratio in control group were 10.95 ±0.62mmol/L, 7.53 ±0.58mmol/L, 3.50 ±0.42mmol/L and 2.49 ±0.41 respectively. SF group had significantly (p<0.05) higher levels of total and unconjugated bilirubin, but presented lower conjugated bilirubin levels compared to control. However, teatment with Masfon aloe vera reversed these changes in salt fed rats to near control values. Masfon aloe vera gel ameliorates the adverse effect of high salt diet on the total serum total protein, globulin, and bilirubin levels in rats. The gel also improved the body weight of high salt loaded rats.