Effect of Aloe vera on some indicators of cell damage after a period of aerobic exercise in male athletes

Introduction: Aloe vera is a medicinal plant with antioxidant activity. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Aloe vera on some indicators of cell damage after a period of aerobic exercise in male athletes of ۱۵-۱۸ years old. Methods: In this clinical trial study, ۲۰ male students with average weight of ۶۴.۸۵ ± ۵۱ and height of ۱۷۲.۰۵ ± ۶.۴ were randomly assigned to ۲ groups of Aloe vera supplement (n = ۱۰) and placebo (n = ۱۰). Then aerobic training was conducted for ۴ weeks. The supplemented group took ۳ capsules, each capsule contains ۲ g of dried Aloe vera and placebo group took ۳ capsules/day containing dextran after every meal. To determine the index of cell injury markers creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and reactive protein C (CRP) were determined and blood samples were collected ۲۴ hours before and after each test. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and independent t test. Significance level was considered as P ≤ .۰۵. Results: The use of Aloe vera during aerobic exercise significantly reduced LDH (P = .۰۰۶) in the supplement group (۱۵% reduction) compared to placebo group and CRP with ۱۱% reduction in the supplement group compared to placebo (P = .۰۰۸). There was no significant reduction in CK. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that Aloe vera reduces cell damage and inflammation indicators. This result may reflect the role of Aloe vera as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent.