Crude Aloe vera Gel Reduces Small Intestinal Transit and Increases Body Weight in Normal Albino Wistar Rats

Aims: This study was carried out to determine the effect of crude Aloe vera gel on blood glucose level in normal animals and to ascertain the relationship between food intake, body weight changes and intestinal transit in animals administered crude Aloe vera gel.
Methodology: The phyto-constituents and median lethal dose of the plant material were determined before administration. Sixteen albino wistar rats were randomly assigned one of two groups thus, control group and test group. The control group was fed with rat food and water while the test group was given a daily oral dose of crude Aloe vera gel (0.2ml/100g body weight) in addition to free access to food and water. Food intake, water intake, body weight and fasting blood glucose levels were measured during the research work. At the end of 21 days, intestinal transit was determined using the method described by Uwagboe and Orimilikwe [15].
Results: Intestinal transit was significantly lower (P<0.001) in the test group compared to control. Food intake, water intake and blood glucose level in the test group was not significantly different compared to the control group. The test group had a significantly (P<0.001) higher body weight change when compared to control.
Conclusion: Crude Aloe vera gel reduces small intestinal transit, thus resulting in longer periods for absorption of digested food materials and may be responsible for the increased body weight observed in the test group since food intake was not significantly increased.