EFFECT OF ALOE VERA GEL ON RAT MYOCARDIAL CONTRACTILITY, CHRONOTROPY AND CORONARY FLOW IN ISOLATED HEART

Abstract

Background: Aloe vera L. (Syn.: ALOE BARBADENSIS Miller; Hindi: Ghikanvar; AV) is a cactus-like perennial plant belonging to family Liliaceae, consists of high content of phenolic compounds, glycosides (aloins), 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone derivatives (aloe emodin), beta-1,4 acetylated mannan, mannose-phosphate and alprogen glucoprotein. Review revealed that leaf exudates and mucilaginous gel of Aloe possesses anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, anticancer, antioxidant, cytoprotective, cardiac stimulatory and immuno modulatory activities. Therefore in present study we studied the effect of aloe vera gel on contractile and other property of rat myocardium using isolated heart model.

Methods: A total of 24 male albino rats were divided into four groups, one control and three experimental of six animals each. Aloe vera extract an aqueous solution of aloe barbadensis was prepared by taking 10 gm of gel from the fresh leaf of aloe plant and dissolved in 100 ml of distilled water. The hearts were perfused with aqueous solutions of Aloe in doses of 100mg, 200mg, and 300mg/l of Kreb’s solutions.

Observation and Results: Our results showed that there was no significant deference in baseline HR and force of contraction among control and experimental groups. aloe vera in dose of 200mg/l and 300mg/l of Kerb’s–Henseleits solution was intervened showed highly significant change in force of contraction and coronary flow as compared in control.

Conclusion: Our study showed that aloe vera causes increase in myocardial force of contraction and coronary flow; therefore aloe vera may be cardio protective.