Description:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p><jats:italic>Aloe vera</jats:italic> (<jats:italic>AV</jats:italic>) gel extracted from fresh <jats:italic>AV</jats:italic> leaves was chosen in this study to evaluate its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic activities against cadmium (Cd) -induced liver injury. Forty Wistar male adult rats were equally divided into four groups. Group I (standard control) ingested with 2.5 ml/kg b.w. of physiological saline. Group II (Cd-intoxicated) received 3 mg/kg b.w./day of CdCl<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> dissolved in saline. Group III (<jats:italic>AV</jats:italic>) received 200 mg/kg b.w./day of <jats:italic>AV</jats:italic> gel dissolved in saline. Group IV (Cd+<jats:italic>AV</jats:italic>) ingested with 200 mg/kg b.w./day of <jats:italic>AV</jats:italic> gel solution along with 3 mg/kg b.w. CdCl<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>. All groups were ingested orally by gavage for 3 consecutive weeks. Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) and HSP70 were measured in serum. The deposited Cd level, nitric oxide content, lipid peroxidation, collagen-1 (COL-1), and metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels were all determined in liver tissue homogenates. Gene expression of NF-κB and IL-6, Bax, and Bcl2, as well as immunohistochemistry analysis of activated caspase-3, was performed. Results showed that ingestion of <jats:italic>AV</jats:italic> gel greatly relieved all oxidative stress due to Cd exposure, modulated the NF-κB, IL-6, Bax, and Bcl2 expression levels, and improved the apoptotic state. In conclusion, <jats:italic>AV</jats:italic> gel confirmed its potential ameliorating effect against liver injury induced due to Cd exposure.</jats:p>