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Phytochemical, antibacterial, antioxidant and wound healing properties of Aloe inermis latex extract obtained from Yemen
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Present work was done to explore the wound healing activity of ethanolic extract of Plantago ovata seeds in albino wistar rats. The extract was tested for wound healing activity by excision and incison wound model. The extract was used as ointment (10% w/w) in petroleum jelly base. The extract showed significant response (p<0.01) in both the wound types tested when compared with the control group. Aloe vera ointment (10%w/w) was used as standard drug and the activity of the extract was in close proximity to standard. On the basis of the results it can be said that the extract of Plantago ovata seeds possess wound healing activity.
Objective: To investigate phytochemicals and biological activities of Capparis cartilaginea extracts.Methods: The methanolic extracts of leaves, stem and twigs of C. cartilaginea were screened for their phytochemicals. The essential oil of the leaves was hydrodistilled by a Clevenger apparatus and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The leaves extract of C. cartilaginea was evaluated for its anti-inflammatory effect, using formalin-induced paw edema. The leaves, stem and twig extracts were assessed for their antioxidant activity, using free radical scavenging assay, cytotoxic activity, using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and antibacterial activity, using the microdilution method.Results: All extracts of C. cartilaginea contained alkaloids, carbohydrates, protein, coumarin, phytosterols, bitter principles, phenols and tannins. The essential oil of the leaves was mainly composed of isopropyl isothiocyanate (69.4%), butane,1-isothiocyanate (26.97%) and isobutyl isothiocyanate (3.26%). The leaves extract at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, significantly inhibited paw edema at the 3rd h (49.1%, 54.0%, respectively) and this effect was comparable to that of diclofenac (58.87%). The leaves extract showed the highest antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 91.71 µg/ml. The twigs extract exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity against human lung carcinoma (A549) with IC50 of 57.5 µg/ml. The leaves and stem extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 5.0 mg/ml. Conclusion: The leaves extract of C. cartilaginea is a potential source of bioactive compounds that could have a role in anti-inflammation. Twigs extract of the C. cartilaginea possesses a potential cytotoxic effect on human lung cell line.
Antrodia camphorata is a parasitic fungus from Taiwan, it has been documented to possess a variety of pharmacological and biological activities. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of Antrodia camphorata ethanol extract to accelerate the rate of wound healing closure and histology of wound area in experimental rats. The safety of Antrodia camphorata was determined in vivo by the acute toxicity test and in vitro by fibroblast cell proliferation assay. The scratch assay was used to evaluate the in vitro wound healing in fibroblast cells and the excision model of wound healing was tested in vivo using four groups of adult Sprague Dawley rats. Our results showed that wound treated with Antrodia camphorata extract and intrasite gel significantly accelerates the rate of wound healing closure than those treated with the vehicle. Wounds dressed with Antrodia camphorata extract showed remarkably less scar width at wound closure and granulation tissue contained less inflammatory cell and more fibroblast compared to wounds treated with the vehicle. Masson's trichrom stain showed granulation tissue containing more collagen and less inflammatory cell in Antrodia camphorata treated wounds. In conclusion, Antrodia camphorata extract significantly enhanced the rate of the wound enclosure in rats and promotes the in vitro healing through fibroblast cell proliferation.
Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. (Family Liliaceae) is an evergreen perennial succulent plant widely used from antiquity. Aloe vera contains various carbohydrate polymers, notably glucomannans, along with a range of other organic and inorganic components. Phenolic compounds have been identified so far as chromone, anthraquinone or anthrone derivatives. Three distinct preparations of aloe plants are mostly used in medicinal practices that are quite different in their chemical composition and their therapeutic properties, aloe latex (aloe); aloe gel (Aloe vera); and, aloe whole leaf (aloe extract). Aloe latex is used for its laxative effect; aloe gel is used topically for skin ailments, such as wound healing, psoriasis, genital herpes and internally by oral administration in diabetic and hyperlipidaemic patients and to heal gastric ulcers; and, aloe extract is potentially useful for cancer and AIDS. Aloe vera possesses several pharmacological properties such as promoting and healing wound and burn, frost-bite healing, with addition to having antiinflammatory, antifungal, hypoglycemic and gastroprotective properties. This review explored the phytochemical and pharmacological knowledge as well as several promising aspects for research on aloe.
Provision of probiotics has been limited postburn by questionable potential for bacterial translocation and risk of infection in an immune-compromised population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of probiotic administration in acutely burned, pediatric patients. Subjects were randomized to receive probiotic (n = 10) vs placebo (n = 10) twice daily. The investigational product was initiated within 10 days of burn, and daily supplementation continued until wound closure. Nursing staff was provided education regarding optimal procedures to minimize potential for study product cross contamination. Clinical outcomes (infection, antibiotic, antifungal, and operative days, tolerance, and mortality) were recorded. Length of stay was modified for burn size. Student's t-test, χ test, and nonparametric Wilcoxon's rank-sum test were used for comparative analysis. No differences were noted (probiotic; placebo) for age (7.1 ± 2.2; 6.9 ± 1.7), burn size (38.0 ± 5.9; 45.5 ± 4.45), full thickness (24.6 ± 5.6; 32.1 ± 5.4), postburn day admit (0.8 ± 0.4; 1.1 ± 0.4), or inhalation injury (10%; 20%). Infection days, antibiotic use, constipation, and emesis were similar between groups. Trends toward increased antifungal and laxative use as well as diarrhea incidence were evident in the controls (P < .30). Flatulence was statistically higher with probiotics. The control group trended toward higher requirement for excision/graft procedure. Medical length of stay was not significantly different between groups; however, time required to complete wound healing was shortened with probiotics. This study documents safety and provides preliminary efficacy data relative to probiotic supplementation postburn.
Objective: Gut–brain axis (GBA) is very important in creation and modulation of gastrointestinal problems. Aloe vera gel has gastroprotective properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Aloe vera leaves on the gastric acid secretion and brain and intestinal water content following acetic acid gastric ulcer induction.
Materials and Methods: Gastric ulcer was induced by injection of 20% acetic acid into the subserosal layer in male rats. Rats were randomly assigned into three groups: intact group, gastric ulcer group and Aloe vera group (treatment with Aloe vera following gastric ulcer induction). The acid levels and brain and intestinal water content of each sample were measured eight days after the gastric ulcer induction.
Results: Gastric acid levels were significantly decreased in Aloe vera group when compared with gastric ulcer group (p<0.05). However, there were no differences in acid output between gastric ulcer and Aloe vera groups with intact group. After Aloe vera administration, the amount of brain water content had no difference with intact and gastric ulcer groups (p<0.05). The duodenal water content in Aloe vera group was significantly reduced compared with intact group (p<0.05) but gastric ulcer group had no significant difference with intact and Aloe vera group.
Conclusions: The administration of Aloe vera has an inhibitory effect on the gastric acid output.
A wound is a disruption of the normal anatomical structure and function of a tissue. Wounds cure in an orderly and timely repair process which is characterized by three dynamic and interactive phases: inflammation, proliferation and the remodeling. The present review was designed to elaborate the cellular and molecular targets for plant secondary metabolites that target the various aspects of wound repair process. The common mechanism of action of natural products established through in vitro and animal studies include direct action on skin cells regeneration, increase in connective tissue deposition, antioxidant activity, inflammatory cells activity and modulation of cytokine and growth factor production and/or function. All these demonstrated pharmacological effects could be exploited to overcome an acute or pathological wound healing conditions. The therapeutic potential of various chemical classes of natural products that act through one or multiple targets are discussed.
Background: Evaluation of healing effects of Echinacea extract in Arsenic induced dermal necrosis in rat is the objective of this study. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 20 male Wistar rats were divided to 2 groups. Dermal necrosis was induced by subcutaneously arsenic injection (4mg/kg) for 10 days. In group 2, after arsenic receiving, Echinacea were injected intraperitoneally (400mg/kg). After last day of injection, rats were euthanizes and pathologic samples were collected from dermal ulcers5 T . Results: Histopathologic results revealed necrosis of different dermal layers in arsenic group. There were inflammatory exudates instead of impaired structures. In group 2, there were granulation tissue with high cellularity and new vessels5 T . Conclusion: According to this research findings arsenic can induce dermal necrosis which is a good animal model for dermatologic researches and also Echinacea has healing effects and can protect and limit the Arsenic effects5 T .5 T
Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous disease characterized by altered cellular metabolism. So many traditional
herbs are being used by diabetic patients to control this disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects
of aqueous extract of aloe vera leaves on hypoglycemic activity and hepatoprotective effects after alloxan injection
in Swiss albino mice. In this study, aqueous leaf extract of aloe vera was carried out. Diabetes was induced in mice
by alloxan monohydrate at dose of 150 mg/kg body weight injected intraperitoneally. Also alloxanized induced mice
were administered with 300 and 500 mg/kg body weight orally daily of extract for a period of 21 days. At the end
of the administration period, the mice were anaesthesized and dissect for the collection of blood and liver tissues.
In diabetic mice, the SGOT, SGPT and bilirubin level as well as serum glucose levels were significantly increased
(p<0.05) in comparison with the control groups. Diabetic mice group treated by extract at the dose of 300 and 500
mg/kg body weight orally significantly (p<0.05) reduced and normalised these biochemical parameters compared
with alloxan induced diabetic group. Histopathological study also did show adverse alternation in the morphological
architecture of the liver tissue. The results suggested that aqueous extract of aloe vera leaves possesses protective
effect against alloxan induced diabetic mice.
Wounds are inescapable events in life. Wounds may arise due to physical, chemical or microbial agents. Healing is survival mechanism and represents an attempt to maintain normal anatomical structure and function. Wound healing is a process by which tissue regeneration occurs. Plants and their extracts have immense potential for the management and treatment of wounds. The phyto-medicines for wound healing are not only cheap and affordable but are also purportedly safe as hyper sensitive reactions are rarely encountered with the use of these agents. These natural agents induce healing and regeneration of the lost tissue by multiple mechanisms. In this review we have made an attempt to give an insight into the different plants having potential wound healing properties which could be beneficial in therapeutic practice.
The aim of this study was to identify, quantify, and compare the phytochemical contents, antioxidant capacities, and antibacterial activities of Aloe vera lyophilized leaf gel (LGE) and 95% ethanol leaf gel extracts (ELGE) using GC-MS and spectrophotometric methods.
Analytically, 95% ethanol is less effective than ethyl acetate/diethyl ether or hexane (in the case of fatty acids) extractions in separating phytochemicals for characterization purposes. However, although fewer compounds are extracted in the ELGE, they are approximately 345 times more concentrated as compared to the LGE, hence justifying ELGE use in biological efficacy studies in vivo. Individual phytochemicals identified included various phenolic acids/polyphenols, phytosterols, fatty acids, indoles, alkanes, pyrimidines, alkaloids, organic acids, aldehydes, dicarboxylic acids, ketones, and alcohols. Due to the presence of the antioxidant polyphenols, indoles, and alkaloids, the A. vera leaf gel shows antioxidant capacity as confirmed by ORAC and FRAP analyses. Both analytical methods used show the non-flavonoid polyphenols to contribute to the majority of the total polyphenol content. Three different solvents such as aqueous, ethanol, and acetone were used to extract the bioactive compounds from the leaves of A. vera to screen the antibacterial activity selected human clinical pathogens by agar diffusion method. The maximum antibacterial activities were observed in acetone extracts (12 +/- 0.45, 20 +/- 0.35, 20 +/- 0.57, and 15 +/- 0.38 nm) other than aqueous and ethanol extracts.
Due to its phytochemical composition, A. vera leaf gel may show promise in alleviating symptoms associated with/or prevention of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, neurodegeneration, and diabetes.
The aim of the study was to investigate the Aloe vera phyto chemical compounds and antimicrobial activity of different extracts. The phytochemical compound screened by qualitative and GC-MS method. Qualitatively analyzed Tannin, Saponin, Flavonoids and Terpenoids gave positive results and phlobactanins and Steriods and Steriods gave negative results. In the GC-MS analysis, 26 bioactive phytechemical compounds were identified in the ethanolic extract of Aloe vera. Three different solvents such as aqueous, ethanol and acetone were used to extract the bioactive compounds from the leaves of Aloe vera to screen the antimicrobial activity selected human clinical pathogens by agar diffusion method. The maximum antibacterial activities were observed in acetone extracts (12±0.45nm, 20±0.35nm, 20±0.57nm and 15±0.38nm) other then aqueous extracts and ethanol extract. Antifungal activity of Aloe vera was analyzed gains Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. The maximum antifungal activity was observed in acetone extracts (15±0.73nm and 8±0.37nm) when compared other extracts. Aloe vera plant extract with acetone can be used as antimicrobial agents.
Fourteen essential oils hydrodistilled from eight Cinnamomum. (Lauraceae) species (C. pubescens. Kochummen, C. impressicostatum. Kosterm, C. microphyllum. Ridl., C. scortechinii. Gamb., C. rhyncophyllum. Miq., C. cordatum. Kosterm, C. zeylanicum. Blume, and C. mollissimum. Hook f.) were examined for their antifungal activity against six dermatophytes (Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, T. tonsurans, Microsporum canis, M. gypseum., and M. audouini)., one filamentous fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus.), and five strains of yeasts (Candida albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis., and Crytococcus neoformans.) by using the broth microdilution method. The antifungal activities of 13 standard compounds that are prevalent constituents in Cinnamomum. oils were also investigated in an effort to correlate the effectiveness of the oils with those of the components of the oils. The chemical composition of the oils was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Most of the oils showed moderate to strong activity against the fungi. Among the oils, the leaf and bark oils of C. zeylanicum. showed the highest activity against all the fungi with MIC values of 0.04 to 0.63 μ g μ L− 1. Other oils that gave a strong inhibition on fungal growth were the leaf oil of C. cordatum. and bark and twig oils of C. pubescens. and C. impressicostatum.. Cinnamaldehyde, which was the most abundant component of the bark oil of C. zeylanicum., showed the strongest activity against all the fungi studied. Based on the results of the assay on standard samples, it may be that the high levels of cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, geraniol, benzyl benzoate, and methyl cinnamate in the oils and in combination with the minor components is responsible for the high antifungal activity of the oils.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential anticancer properties and modulatory effect of selected Aloe vera (A. vera) active principles on antioxidant enzyme activities. Thus, three anthraquinones (Namely: aloesin, aloe-emodin and barbaloin) were extracted from A. vera leaves by supercritical fluid extraction and subsequently purified by high performance liquid chromatography. Additionally, the N-terminal octapeptide derived from verectin, a biologically active 14 kDa glycoprotein present in A. vera, was also tested. In vivo, active principles exhibited significant prolongation of the life span of tumor-transplanted animals in the following order: barbaloin> octapeptide> aloesin > aloe-emodin. A. vera active principles exhibited significant inhibition on Ehrlich ascite carcinoma cell (EACC) number, when compared to positive control group, in the following order: barbaloin> aloe-emodin > octapeptide > aloesin. Moreover, in trypan blue cell viability assay, active principles showed a significant concentration-dependent cytotoxicity against acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphocytes leukemia (ALL) cancerous cells. Furthermore, in MTT cell viability test, aloe-emodin was found to be active against two human colon cancer cell lines (i.e. DLD-1 and HT2), with IC(50) values of 8.94 and 10.78 microM, respectively. Treatments of human AML leukemic cells with active principles (100 microg ml(-1)) resulted in varying intensities of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, hallmark of cells undergoing apoptosis, in the following order: aloe-emodin> aloesin> barbaloin> octapeptide. Intererstingly, treatment of EACC tumors with active principles resulted in a significant elevation activity of key antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GST, tGPx, and LDH). Our data suggest that the tested A. vera compounds may exert their chemo-preventive effect through modulating antioxidant and detoxification enzyme activity levels, as they are one of the indicators of tumorigenesis. These findings are discussed in the light of the potential of A. vera plant extracts for developing efficient, specific and non-toxic anticancer drugs that are affordable for developing countries.
Methanolic extracts of Aloe barbadensis Miller inner leaf gel were fractionated by RP-HPLC and the resultant fractions were tested for inhibitory activity against a panel of bacteria and fungi. Five fractions were identified as having antimicrobial activity. Fraction 1 had the broadest antibacterial activity, being capable of inhibiting growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as inhibiting growth of a nystatin resistant strain of the fungus Aspergillus niger. Fraction 1 had similar UV spectral properties as aloe emodin and was chromatographically identical to the pure compound. The other fractions tested were much more selective in their antimicrobial activities, being only capable of inhibiting the growth of specific Gram-negative rod bacteria. Two of these antimicrobial fractions were identified by ESI mass spectroscopy as being isomers of 8-C-β-D-[2-0-(E)-coumaroyl] glucopyranosyl -2-[2-hydroxy]-propyl-7-methoxy-5-methylchromone. Yes Yes
In this study we tested the antiviral activity of a crude hot glycerine extract of Aloe vera gel which was grown in Bushehr (Southwest of Iran) against HSV-2 replication in Vero cell line. The extract showed antiviral activity against HSV-2 not only before attachment and entry of virus to the Vero cells but also on post attachment stages of virus replication. The IC50 before attachment and entry of virus to the cells is 428 µg/ml and the CC50 value which is the cytotoxicity of the extract for Vero cells is 3238 µg/ml, while the calculated selectivity index (SI) is 7.56. Also, IC50 of extract on post attachment stages of replication is 536 µg/ml and the SI value for inhibition of the post attachment stages of HSV-2 replication is 6.04. Therefore, compounds of Aloe vera from Bushehr could be a good candidate as a natural source for antiviral drug development against HSV-2.
In this topical study the influence of Aloe Vera, on the wound healing process was investigated in 63 male rats with microscopic and cell count methods. On the day of surgery a round wound, of diameter 20 mm, was created on the back of rats necks under sterile conditions. The surgery day was determined as day zero (0). Then the rats were divided randomly into control and experimental groups 1 and 2. Animals in each group were sub-divided to three smaller groups, investigated every 4, 7, and 14 days. From day 0, wound surfaces were covered with gel once daily in experimental group 1 and twice daily, for 12 h interval, in experimental group 2. Each rat received 30 g of the gel. The wound surface and healing were assessed on days 4, 7, and 14, and then a sample from the wound was prepared and investigated microscopically. The results show that the number of neutrophil, macrophage, and fibroblast cells and the wound thickness in the control group were statistically different from the experimental groups. It was found that the wound diameter thickness in the experimental group was greatly lower due to twice administration of gel and the power of wound healing was more than other groups.
Many of the health benefits associated with Aloe vera have been attributed to the polysaccharides contained in the gel of the leaves. These biological activities include promotion of wound healing, antifungal activity, hypoglycemic or antidiabetic effects antiinflammatory, anticancer, immunomodulatory and gastroprotective properties. While the known biological activities of A. vera will be briefly discussed, it is the aim of this review to further highlight recently discovered effects and applications of the leaf gel. These effects include the potential of whole leaf or inner fillet gel liquid preparations of A. vera to enhance the intestinal absorption and bioavailability of co-administered compounds as well as enhancement of skin permeation. In addition, important pharmaceutical applications such as the use of the dried A. vera gel powder as an excipient in sustained release pharmaceutical dosage forms will be outlined.
Purified polysaccharides (EPS) prepared from the plant Echinacea purpurea are shown to strongly activate macrophages. Macrophages activated with these substances develop pronounced extracellular cytotoxicity against tumor targets. The activation is brought about by EPS alone and is independent of any cooperative effect with lymphocytes. Also the production and secretion of oxygen radicals and interleukin 1 by macrophages is increased after activation with EPS. Cells of the macrophages lineage seem to be the main target for the action of these polysaccharides. EPS has no effect on T lymphocytes. B lymphocytes show a comparatively modest proliferation after incubation with E. purpurea EPS. Thus, these compounds, which are at least in tissue culture completely nontoxic, may be suited to activate in vivo cells of the macrophage system to cytotoxicity. They may therefore be of relevance in tumor and infectious systems.
Over the last centuries, Aloe vera, a plant species belonging to the genus Aloe, have been extensively studied for various therapeutic activities, including anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-cancer activity, as well as immunoregulative and hepatoprotective properties, although some of these claimed efficacies are controversial as demonstrated by some of the recent studies. In spite of the intensive historic and recent use of this herb and its extracts in various areas, a well-balanced, systematic review seems crucial in order to gain in-depth comprehensive knowledge about this plant and to reflect and revive the use of Aloe vera in biomedical sciences. This review will focus on summarization of the pharmacological activities and clinical studies of Aloe and various extracts, as well as its extensive application in food chemistry, and will also discuss the future prospects of biomedical applications of this herb.
The cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning tissue repair and its failure to heal are still poorly understood, and current therapies are limited. Poor wound healing after trauma, surgery, acute illness, or chronic disease conditions affects millions of people worldwide each year and is the consequence of poorly regulated elements of the healthy tissue repair response, including inflammation, angiogenesis, matrix deposition, and cell recruitment. Failure of one or several of these cellular processes is generally linked to an underlying clinical condition, such as vascular disease, diabetes, or aging, which are all frequently associated with healing pathologies. The search for clinical strategies that might improve the body's natural repair mechanisms will need to be based on a thorough understanding of the basic biology of repair and regeneration. In this review, we highlight emerging concepts in tissue regeneration and repair, and provide some perspectives on how to translate current knowledge into viable clinical approaches for treating patients with wound-healing pathologies. © 2014, American Association for the Advancement of Science. All rights reserved.
This paper presents a review of plants identified from various ethno botanical surveys and folklore medicinal survey with Wound healing activity. Wound is defined as the disruption of the cellular and anatomic continuity of a tissue. Wound may be produced by physical, chemical, thermal, microbial or immunological insult to the tissues. The process of wound healing consists of integrated cellular and biochemical events leading to re-establishment of structural and functional integrity with regain of strength in injured tissues. This review discuss about Wound healing potential of plants, its botanicalname, Common name, family, part used and references, which are helpful for researcher to development new Wound healing formulations for human use.
The aqueous extract of Ficus deltoidea whole plant was investigated to evaluate the rate of
wound healing enclosure and the histology of healed wounds in rats. Five groups of adult
male Sprague Dawley rats were experimentally wounded in the posterior neck area. Group 1
animals were treated with sterile deionized water as a negative control. Thin layer of blank
placebo was applied topically to the wounds of Group 2 rats. Group 3 and 4 rats were
dressed topically with thin layer of placebo containing 5% and 10% F. deltoidea extracts,
respectively. Thin layer of Intrasite gel was applied topically to wounds of Group 5 as a positive
control. Grossly, wounds treated with placebo containing 5%, 10% F. deltoidea extract
or Intrasite gel significantly accelerated the rate of wound healing compared to wounds
treated with sterile deionized water or dressed with blank placebo. Histological analyses of
healed wounds were consistent with the results of gross evaluations. Healed wounds dressed
with placebo containing 5%, 10% F. deltoidea extracts or Intrasite gel showed significantly
lesser scar width at the wound enclosure and more fibroblast proliferation, collagen fibers
accompanied with angiogenesis in the granulation tissue than blank placebo-treated
wounds. Additionally, no macrophages were seen in the extract-treated wounds compared
to the wounds dressed with sterile demonized water or blank placebo. These results strongly
document the beneficial and significant effects of F. deltoidea extract to accelerate the rate of
wound healing enclosure in the experimentally-induced wounds in rats.
The main scientific discoveries on Aloe vera published mainly in the last three decades are presented in this work. After describing Aloe from a botanical point of view, the papers related with the chemical composition of different parts of the leaf of Aloe, particularly those in which the gel is described and are presented in a synthetic manner. The chemical analyses reveal that Aloe gel contains mannose polymers with some glucose and other sugars, among which the most important is Acemannan. Besides these, other components such as glycoproteins, enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals are described. Different factors also affecting the chemical composition of the gel, such as species and variety, climatic and soil conditions, cultivation methods, processing and preservation, are enumerated and discussed. On the other hand, the main therapeutic applications have been revised and the possible damaging effects of Aloe are also commented upon. A special emphasis is placed on the biologically active compounds or groups of compounds responsible for the therapeutic applications and which are their action mechanisms. The paper concludes that more research is needed to confirm the therapeutic and beneficial effects and to definitively clarify the myth surrounding Aloe vera. A general view on the problem of the commercialization and establishment of the quality and safety of Aloe products in the food industry has been offered here. The main points and European regulations that need to be considered regarding the quality control of prepared Aloe products are presented in this paper.
The effects of the topical antiseptic agents mercurochrome and silver nitrate and of sodium hyaluronate on the process of wound healing were assessed by macroscopic examination, light microscopy histology, electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy of wounds made by cutting or by abrasion of the skin of rats. It was found that wounds treated with hyaluronic acid underwent longer periods of inflammation (proportional to the presence of mastocytes) and greater amounts of collagen deposition than wounds that were either untreated controls or treated with silver nitrate or mercurochrome, but this did not impede the formation in the early stages of healing of bridges of fibrin between the edges of the wounds.
In this study, acidic arabinogalactan, a highly purified polysaccharide from plant cell cultures of Echinacea purpurea, with a molecular weight of 75, 000, was effective in activating macrophages to cytotoxicity against tumor cells and micro-organisms
(Leishmania enriettii). Furthermore, this polysaccharide induced macrophages to produce tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and
interferon-β2. Arabinogalactan did not activate. B cells and did not induce T cells to produce interleukin-2, interferon-β2, or interferon-γ, but it did induce a slight increase in T-cell proliferation. When injected ip, this agent stimulated macrophages,
a finding that may have therapeutic implications in the defense against tumors and infectious diseases. [J Natl Cancer Inst
81: 669–675, 1989]
Aloe vera improves wound healing and inhibits inflammation. Since mannose-6-phosphate is the major sugar in the Aloe gel, the authors examined the possibility of its being an active growth substance. Mice receiving 300 mg/kg of mannose-6-phosphate had improved wound healing over saline controls. This dose also had anti-inflammatory activity. The function of mannose-6-phosphate in A. vera is discussed.
Asiatic acid, madecassic acid, and asiaticoside, terpenoids with an ursane skeleton, were tested separately and in combination on skin human fibroblast collagen I synthesis in vitro. In the absence of ascorbic acid, the mixture as well as each individual component stimulated collagen I synthesis to a similar extent. In the presence of ascorbic acid, the level of collagen I secretion was higher for each individual component and for the mixture. A comparison of asiaticoside and asiatic acid shows that the sugar moiety of the molecule does not seem to be necessary for this biological activity.
The pathogenesis of gastroduodenal ulceration has been investigated mostly from the point of view of aggressive factors; the therapeutic interventions affected the healing process only indirectly. With the discovery of the potent healing capacity of growth factors, direct treatment of ulcers is now possible regardless of HCl and pepsin secretion. We review our recent data on how growth factors (e.g., bFGF, PDGF in comparison with EGF) can promote ulcer healing.
Treatment of rats with bFGF, PDGF accelerated the healing of experimental chronic duodenal and gastric ulcers without suppressing gastric acid secretion and resulted in superior quality of ulcers healed. We also detected additive or synergistic action between bFGF and cimetidine or bFGF and sucralfate in the healing of chemically induced chronic duodenal ulcers and chronic erosive gastritis.
We conclude that growth factors such as bFGF, PDGF can promote ulcer healing without the need to neutralize gastric secretion and may lead to a direct and efficient therapeutic regime.
Differently substituted flavanones were isolated from Leguminosae and their antibacterial activity was comparatively studied against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of phytochemical flavanones to clinical isolates of MRSA were determined by a serial agar dilution method. The structure-activity relationship has indicated that 2',4'- or 2',6'-dihydroxylation of the B ring and 5,7-dihydroxylation of the A ring in the flavanone structure are important for significant anti-MRSA activity and that substitution with a certain aliphatic group at the 6- or 8-position also enhances the activity. Among the thirteen flavanones tested, tetrahydroxyflavanones with these structural characteristics isolated from Sophora exigua and Echinosophora koreensis showed intensive activity to inhibit the growth of all MRSA strains at 3.13-6.25 micrograms/ml. The present hydroxyflavanones would be useful in the phytotherapeutic strategy against MRSA infections.
Effects of oral and topical administration of an alcoholic extract of C. asiatica on rat dermal wound healing was studied. The extract increased cellular proliferation and collagen synthesis at the wound site, as evidenced by increase in DNA, protein and collagen content of granulation tissues. Quicker and better maturation and crosslinking of collagen was observed in the extract-treated rats, as indicated by the high stability of acid-soluble collagen and increase in aldehyde content and tensile strength. The extract treated wounds were found to epithelialise faster and the rate of wound contraction was higher, as compared to control wounds. The results show that C. asiatica produced different actions on the various phases of wound repair.
Asiaticoside derived from the plant Centella asiatica is known to possess good wound healing activity. Enhanced healing activity has been attributed to increased collagen formation and angiogenesis. Since antioxidants have been reported to play a significant role in the wound healing process we studied the effect of asiaticoside on the levels of certain antioxidants in the wound so as to explore the possible involvement of such a mechanism in the asiaticoside induced wound healing. Asiaticoside application (0.2%, topical) twice daily for 7 days to excision-type cutaneous wounds in rats led to increased enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, namely superoxide dismutase (35%), catalase (67%), glutathione peroxidase (49%), vitamin E (77%) and ascorbic acid (36%) in newly formed tissues. It also resulted in a several fold decrease in lipid peroxide levels (69%) as measured in terms of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance. However, continued application for 14 days showed no significant difference in these antioxidants compared with their values in vehicle treated wound tissue. It appears from the present study that asiaticosides enhanced induction of antioxidant levels at an initial stage of healing which may be an important contributory factor in the healing properties of this substance.
Aloe vera (L.) Burm. fil. (= A. barbadensis Miller) (Liliaceae) is native to North Africa and also cultivated in Turkey. Aloes have long been used all over the world for their various medicinal properties. In the past 15 years, there have been controversial reports on the hypoglycaemic activity of Aloe species, probably due to differences in the parts of the plant used or to the model of diabetes chosen. In this study, separate experiments on three main groups of rats, namely, non-diabetic (ND), type I (IDDM) and type II (NIDDM) diabetic rats were carried out. A. vera leaf pulp and gel extracts were ineffective on lowering the blood sugar level of ND rats. A. vera leaf pulp extract showed hypoglycaemic activity on IDDM and NIDDM rats, the effectiveness being enhanced for type II diabetes in comparison with glibenclamide. On the contrary, A. vera leaf gel extract showed hyperglycaemic activity on NIDDM rats. It may therefore be concluded that the pulps of Aloe vera leaves devoid of the gel could be useful in the treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
The ethanolic extracts of Heliotropium indicum, Plumbago zeylanicum and Acalypha indica were evaluated for their wound healing activity in rats. Wound healing activity was studied using excision and incision wound models in rats following topical application. Animals were divided into four groups with six in each group. Ten percent w/v extract of each plant was prepared in saline for topical application. H. indicum possesses better wound healing activity than P. zeylanicum and A. indica. Tensile strength results indicate better activity of H. indicum on remodeling phase of wound healing.
A large percentage of the population suffers from wound healing abnormalities, in particular aged individuals, patients with diabetes, and those treated with immunosuppressive drugs, chemo- or radiotherapy. The mechanisms underlying the impaired healing response are still poorly understood. Recent studies provided strong evidence for a role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of non-healing ulcers. Therefore, it is of major importance to identify and functionally characterize the factors involved in the generation and detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This will provide the basis for the development of new strategies for therapeutic intervention. In this review we summarize the current information about the roles of low molecular weight antioxidants and ROS-detoxifying enzymes in normal and impaired wound repair, and we report on the consequences of their modulation at the wound site.
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