Abstract

Neelofar Khanam* and G. K. Sharma

ABSTRACT

There are many medicinal plants using traditionally as the source of antioxidants or protective agents against oxidative stress induced tissue or cell damage by lipid peroxidation. Oxidative stress is one of the major contributory factors that stimulate numerous intracellular pathways leading to the increased free radical generation causing oxidative damage or lipid peroxidation. Since ancient time Aloe vera L. are using in many herbal preparations as antioxidants or as protective agents against oxidant induced damage to cellular biomolecules such as membrane lipids. Aloe vera L. possesses an important role in absorbing and neutralizing oxidant induced free radicals. In present study the protective effects of in vivo grown and in vitro propagated Aloe vera L. whole leaves and only gel extracts against oxidant induced lipid peroxidation were examined in three different biological membrane models including goat RBC ghost, goat liver homogenate and goat liver slices. Results were showing that among the different extracts (prepared with the solvents of different polarities such as aqueous, hexane, methanolic, ethyl acetate and chloroform) of in vivo and in vitro regenerated Aloe vera L. whole leaves and inner gel, the extracts with in vitro regenerated Aloe vera L. leaves were showing higher degree of protection against oxidant induced lipid peroxidation. While among all different extracts of in vitro propagated Aloe vera L. leaves, the methanolic extract were showing the maximum protection against lipid peroxidation.