Alterations of triglyceride and cholesterol in response to Aloe vera gel extract in HepG2 cells and hyperlipidemic guinea pigs

Aloe vera is well-known for its pharmacological and nutritional properties. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of A. vera gel extracts on the secretion and cell content of triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol (TC) in HepG2 cells and their short-term effects on the dietary hyperlipidemic guinea pig model. The effects of increasing concentrations of A. vera crude gel and its alcoholic and hydro-extract were compared to HepG2 cells in both basal and TG induced conditions with 20 mM glucose for 24 h. In addition, 24 male guinea pigs were randomly separated into six experimental groups as follows: control, hyperlipidemic control, levostatin control and A. vera receiving groups (fed with lipid-rich diet supplemented with A. vera crude gel, alcoholic or hydro-extracts of A. vera gel). Treatments were carried out for 10 d TG and TC levels were measured in both collected fluid (sera and media) and extracted tissue (HepG2 and liver). Although basal and stimulated conditions of crude gel and its hydro-extract decreased the secretion and cell content of TG, compared to the control (p<0.05). This pattern was not seen with the alcoholic extract. Furthermore, A. vera did not have any effect on the serum or liver contents of TG or TC. Our results suggest that A. vera could be a beneficial supplement to modulate the levels of TG and TC. However, it does not appear to be a short-term lipid modulator for hyperlipidemia.