The effect of Aloe vera ethanolic extract in preventing ischemic-reperfusion injury during long bone fracture healing after tourniquet application: An animal study

Abstract

Background: Tourniquet is a common instrument used in Orthopedics field to reduce blood loss, providing a better operating field. One of the deleterious effects of tourniquet is ischemic-reperfusion injury, which occurs after deflation of the tourniquet. One of the possible ways to mitigate ischemic-reperfusion injury is by administrating antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress. Natural ingredients like Aloe vera are well known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This experimental study was conducted by fracturing the tibia of male Wistar strain rats (Rattus norvegicus) and administering Aloe vera gel orally as antioxidant. Method: A total of 18 rats were used in this study, divided into 6 groups. The first group was the control group, that included rats with fractured tibia not receiving torniquet and aloe vera treatment. The second and third groups were rats with fracture, who received torniquet application for one hour and two hours respectively without aloe vera treatment. The rest were the treatment groups, the rats with factures were given different dosages of Aloe vera extract: 40 mg/kg bodyweight (BW), 60 mg/kg BW, and 80 mg/kg BW. Three hours after administration, the tourniquet was inflated for two hours, followed by its deflation. The tibia was harvested to examine levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), Malondialdehyde (MDA), and Bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7), and callus diameter, and osteoblast numbers were evaluated. Result: Administration of Aloe vera extract reduced the oxidative stress parameters (SOD and MDA). Tourniquet application decreased the osteoblast cell count and callus diameter, and administration of Aloe vera extract increased both variables close to the control value (p<0.05). Conclusion: The result of this study suggests that Aloe vera extract could be used to ameliorate ischemic-reperfusion injury.