The Protective Role of Aqueous and Methanol Extracts of Aloe Vera on Ethanol-Induced Kidney and Brain Injury in Mice

Impaired kidney function is associated with structural damage that usually cause negative effect to both human and animal health. It is associated with many complications such as anaemia, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive impairment. We evaluated the effect of aqueous and methanol extracts of Aloe vera (AV) on ethanol-induced kidney and brain injury in mice. Thirty mice were assigned to six groups (n=5) and received distilled water (control), 20% ethanol (negative control), (50 and 100) mg/kg methanol extract of Aloe vera plus ethanol, and (25 and 50) mg/kg aqueous extract of Aloe vera plus ethanol respectively for eighteen days. The mice were euthanized thereafter, and kidney function test was evaluated from the serum while oxidative stress markers were evaluated from the brain homogenate. One half of each brain was processed for light microscopy. The result showed that pretreatment with methanol and aqueous extracts of Aloe vera significantly reduced (p<05) the serum urea level relative to the ethanol-treated mice. The methanol extract (50mg/kg) and aqueous extract (25mg/kg) of Aloe vera significantly elevated (p<05) catalase activity relative to the ethanol-treated mice. Both the aqueous and methanol extracts of Aloe vera significantly reduced (p<05) malondialdehyde activity compared to the ethanol-treated mice. The cerebellum and cerebrum of the control mice and the mice pretreated with both the methanol and aqueous extracts of Aloe vera at 50mg/kg showed normal neurons. Conclusively,aqueous and methanol extracts of Aloe vera regulated serum urea levels, significantly increased brain catalase and reduced glutathione activities in ethanol-treated mice. It also prevented lipid peroxidation and neurodegeneration.