Effect of Aloe Vera Gel on Lipid Profile in High-Fat Diet Induced Hyperlipidemic Rats

Effect of Aloe Vera on Lipid Profile in Hyperlipidemic Rats

Abstract

Background: Hyperlipidemia, a major modifiable risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases, arises from abnormal lipid levels in the blood. Modern dietary habits, high saturated fats and refined sugars, contribute significantly to secondary hyperlipidemia. Evidence suggests that not only total cholesterol but also its distribution among lipoproteins influences disease risk. Aloe vera has been explored for its potential lipid lowering properties.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of aqueous extract of Aloe vera gel on serum lipid profile in high fatty diet induced hyperlipidemic rats.

Methods: This experimental animal study was conducted at the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Sir Salimullah Medical College (SSMC), Dhaka in collaboration with the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science (INFS) Dhaka University, over a 12-month period following ethical approval. Thirty healthy adult male Long Evans rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=6 each). Group A (standard control) received a normal laboratory diet with distilled water and Group B (hyperlipidemic control) received a high-fat diet. Group C received a high-fat diet for the first two weeks followed by aqueous extract of Aloe vera gel (300 mg/kg body weight, orally) along with a high-fat diet for the another four weeks. Group D received a high-fat diet for two weeks followed by atorvastatin (10 mg/kg body weight, orally) with a high-fat diet for four weeks. Group E received a high-fat diet for two weeks followed by a combination of atorvastatin (10 mg/kg body weight) and Aloe vera gel extract (200 mg/kg body weight) along with a high-fat diet for the another four weeks. After 42 days of intervension, all rats were anesthetized with chloroform on the morning of the 43rd day and following overnight fasting, blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture for estimation of the serum lipid profile. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test using SPSS version 26, with p<0.05 considered stastitically significant.

Results: Rats in the high-fat diet group developed significant hyperlipidemia compared to normal control (p<0.001), with elevated serum TC, TG, and LDL-C levels and reduced HDL-C levels. Intervention with Aloe vera gel extract significantly improved the lipid profile (p<0.001), showing marked reductions in TC, TG, and LDL-C and an increase in HDL-C. Atorvastatin produced a similar degree of improvement (p<0.001). The combination of Aloe vera gel extract with Atorvastatin showed the greatest lipid lowering effect, although the difference compared to individual intervension was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Aloe vera gel extract significantly improved the lipid profile in high-fat-diet–induced hyperlipidemic rats. Its effects were comparable to atorvastatin for most parameters, except HDL. Combination therapy showed greater improvement than Aloe vera alone and produced effects comparable to atorvastatin, suggesting that Aloe vera may serve as a potential adjunct therapy for hyperlipidemia.

Bangladesh Medical Res Counc Bull 2026;52(1): 23-29