Nephroprotective Effects of Aloe vera on Male Wistar Rats Exposed to Monosodium Glutamate

Kidney dysfunction remains a major health concern worldwide, as the kidneys play critical roles in waste excretion, electrolyte balance, and acid–base regulation. Disruption of renal function leads to serious systemic consequences, which can be detected by changes in classical biomarkers such as serum creatinine, urea, and uric acid. Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a widely consumed flavor enhancer, has been implicated in nephrotoxicity through mechanisms such as oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, sodium overload, and inflammation, leading to significant biochemical and histopathological alterations in renal tissues. Experimental studies consistently show that MSG administration elevates renal biomarkers and produces glomerular and tubular damage, raising concerns over its chronic dietary use. Conversely, Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties and is rich in bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, vitamins, and minerals that exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Recent research has highlighted Aloe vera’s nephroprotective role in experimental models of toxicity, where it restores antioxidant defense, reduces lipid peroxidation, and ameliorates histopathological distortions. This study investigated the nephroprotective effects of Aloe vera in rats exposed to MSG. Twenty-four rats were divided into five groups: control, MSG-only, and three treatment groups receiving MSG plus varying doses of Aloe vera (10%, 50%, and 100%). Serum creatinine, urea, and uric acid concentrations were measured, alongside histological evaluations. The MSG-only group showed significant increases in creatinine (1.45 ± 0.10 mg/dL), urea (55.2 ± 3.5 mg/dL), and uric acid (6.8 ± 0.4 mg/dL) compared with the control group (0.75 ± 0.05, 32.6 ± 2.1, and 3.4 ± 0.2 mg/dL, respectively; p < 0.01). Aloe vera treatment produced dose-dependent reductions in these biomarkers, with the 50% dose showing the greatest improvement (creatinine: 0.85 ± 0.06 mg/dL; urea: 34.5 ± 2.2 mg/dL; uric acid: 3.8 ± 0.2 mg/dL; p < 0.01 vs. MSG-only). The 10% and 100% doses also produced significant reductions (p < 0.05). Histological analysis further confirmed Aloe vera’s protective effect by restoring renal architecture and reducing evidence of inflammation and tubular degeneration. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test, with p < 0.05 considered significant. In conclusion, Aloe vera  demonstrated strong nephroprotective potential against MSG-induced renal toxicity, primarily through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. These findings reinforce Aloe vera’s value as a natural therapeutic agent for managing chemically induced nephrotoxicity, though further clinical trials are required to validate its effectiveness in humans.