Effects of Aloe vera on the Cardiovascular Activities of Wistar Rats Exposed to Monosodium Glutamate

The effect of Aloe vera on lipid profile parameters in male albino rats exposed to monosodium glutamate (MSG), a widely used food additive known to induce metabolic and cardiovascular disturbances. The objective was to evaluate the effect of Aloe vera exposed to MSG. Twenty-four male rats were randomly divided into four groups: a control group receiving normal saline, an MSG group administered 4 g/kg body weight of MSG, an Aloe vera group receiving 400 mg/kg of Aloe vera extract, and a combined treatment group given both MSG and Aloe vera orally for 28 days. At the end of the treatment period, blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture and analyzed using standard enzymatic methods. Results showed that MSG significantly increased TC, TG, and LDL levels while reducing HDL concentrations compared to the control group (p < 0.05), indicating dyslipidemia and increased cardiovascular risk. However, rats co-treated with Aloe vera exhibited significant improvements in all lipid parameters: TC, TG, and LDL levels were markedly reduced, while HDL levels increased toward normal values (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that Aloe vera possesses lipid-lowering and cardioprotective properties, likely due to its bioactive phytochemicals with antioxidant and hypolipidemic actions. The study concludes that Aloe vera may serve as a natural therapeutic agent for preventing or reducing MSG-induced cardiovascular risk through its modulatory effect on lipid metabolism.