Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences

Exploring Aloe vera’s Lipid-Lowering Potential: Regulation of HDL-Cholesterol and Associated Proteins

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Nalini Devarajan 1
Karthick Rajendran 2
Pavithra Amritkumar 1
Ethiraj Susithra 3
Ramalingam Mathangi 4

1 Department of Research, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research (MAHER-Deemed to be University), Chennai, India

2 Department of Medical Student Research, SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Chennai, India

3 Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Sri Venkateswara University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

4 Department of Biochemistry, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, BIHER, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

https://doi.org/10.34172/jkmu.4233
Abstract
Introduction: Obesity caused by excessive dietary fat intake is associated with abnormal lipid accumulation and metabolic disturbances. This study evaluated the anti-obesity effects of aqueous extracts of Aloe vera in female Swiss albino mice.
Methods: Female Swiss albino mice were maintained under controlled laboratory conditions and divided into four groups (n = 6 per group). Group I served as the normal control. Group II received a high-fat diet (35% carbohydrate, 20% protein, and 45% fat) for 60 days to induce obesity. Group III consisted of obese mice treated orally with Aloe vera extract (0.3 mL/kg body weight) for 30 days, while Group IV included normal mice treated with Aloe vera extract for 30 days. Body weight, adipose tissue lipid deposition (Oil Red O staining), and HDL-associated protein expression (SDS-PAGE) were evaluated.
Results: Aloe vera treatment significantly reduced body weight and lipid accumulation in adipose tissue of obese mice. Histological analysis demonstrated reduced intracellular lipid deposition following treatment. In addition, HDL-associated protein expression was enhanced in treated obese mice compared with untreated obese animals, suggesting improved lipid transport and metabolism.
Conclusion: Aloe vera administration reduced body weight, decreased adipose tissue lipid accumulation, and enhanced HDL-associated protein expression in diet-induced obese mice. These findings support the potential of Aloe vera as a complementary therapeutic agent for improving lipid metabolism and managing obesity-associated metabolic disturbances.

Keywords

Aloe
Mice
Obesity
Adipocytes
Lipid metabolism
Cholesterol
Subjects
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Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Volume 33
Pages 1-6

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