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PubMed2003

In vitro studies on the photobiological properties of aloe emodin and aloin A.

Plants containing aloin A, aloe emodin, and structurally related anthraquinones have long been used as traditional medicines and in the formulation of retail products such as laxatives, dietary supplements, and cosmetics. Since a recent study indicated that topically applied aloe emodin increases the sensitivity of skin to UV light, we examined the events following photoexcitation of aloin A and aloe emodin. We determined that incubation of human skin fibroblasts with 20 microM aloe emodin for 18 h followed by irradiation with UV or visible light resulted in significant photocytotoxicity. This photocytotoxicity was accompanied by oxidative damage in both cellular DNA and RNA. In contrast, no photocytotoxicity was observed following incubation with up to 500 microM aloin A and irradiation with UVA light. In an attempt to explain the different photobiological properties of aloin A and aloe emodin, laser flash photolysis experiments were performed. We determined that the triplet state of aloe emodin was readily formed following photoexcitation. However, no transient intermediates were formed following photoexcitation of aloin A. Therefore, generation of reactive oxygen species and oxidative damage after irradiation of aloin A is unlikely. Although aloin A was not directly photocytotoxic, we found that human skin fibroblasts can metabolize aloin A to aloe emodin.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Protein kinase C involvement in aloe-emodin- and emodin-induced apoptosis in lung carcinoma cell.

1. This study demonstrated aloe-emodin- and emodin-induced apoptosis in lung carcinoma cell lines CH27 (human lung squamous carcinoma cell) and H460 (human lung non-small cell carcinoma cell). Aloe-emodin- and emodin-induced apoptosis was characterized by nuclear morphological changes and DNA fragmentation. 2. During apoptosis, an increase in cytochrome c of cytosolic fraction and activation of caspase-3, identified by the cleavage of its proform, were observed. 3. To elucidate whether the expression of protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes are involved in aloe-emodin- and emodin-induced apoptosis, this study examined the changes of PKC isozymes by Western blotting techniques during aloe-emodin- and emodin-induced apoptosis. 4. The expression of PKC isozymes involved in aloe-emodin- and emodin-induced apoptosis of CH27 and H460 cells. In this study, aloe-emodin and emodin induced the changes of each of PKC isozymes in CH27 and H460 cells. 5. The decrease in the expression of PKC delta and epsilon may play a critical role in aloe-emodin- and emodin-induced apoptosis in CH27 and H460 cells. 6. The present study also demonstrated that PKC stimulation occurs at a site downstream of caspase-3 in the emodin-mediated apoptotic pathway.

Anthraquinones↗
PubMed2005

Aloe emodin-induced apoptosis in t-HSC/Cl-6 cells involves a mitochondria-mediated pathway.

The aim of our study was to clarify the apoptosis pathway induced by aloe emodin, an hydroxyanthraquinone present in aloe vera leaves, in rat hepatic stellate cells transformed by simian virus 40 (t-HSC/Cl-6), which retain the features of activated rat stellate cells. Apoptosis was determined by DNA fragmentation, caspase activity assay and western blotting analysis. Treatment of t-HSC/Cl-6 cells with 12.5, 25, or 50 microM aloe emodin inhibited t-HSC/Cl-6 cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The induction of apoptosis by aloe emodin was confirmed by typical DNA ladder formation and annexin v-propidium iodide flow-cytometric analysis. Aloe emodin treatment of t-HSC/Cl-6 cells caused activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9, detected with a caspase activity assay, although no change was observed in caspase-8 activity. Western blotting showed caspase-3 and caspase-9 active forms and the subsequent proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Aloe emodin induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Our data also show that cytochrome c increased in the cytosol but decreased in the mitochondria in a time-dependent manner. Increased Bax and unchanged Bcl-2 levels resulted in an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Thus, our research provides evidence that aloe emodin-induced apoptosis involves a mitochondria-associated apoptosis pathway.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Protective value of Aloe vera against some toxic effects of arsenic in rats.

Concomitant oral supplementation of Aloe vera, (1, 2 or 5% w[sol ]v in drinking water) during arsenic exposure (0.2 mg[sol ]kg, intraperitoneally, once daily for 3 weeks) was investigated in rats for its protective value. Animals exposed to arsenic (III) showed a significant inhibition of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity, a marginal decrease in glutathione (GSH) and an increase in zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) level in blood. White blood corpuscles (WBC) level decreased while most of the other clinical blood parameters like red blood cells count, haemoglobin, MCV, MCH, MCHC ratio and platelet number, etc. remained unaltered on arsenic exposure. Hepatic reduced GSH, oxidized glutathione (GSSG) level remained unaltered, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) level increased significantly while the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and catalase decreased on arsenic exposure. Renal GSH contents decreased while superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity decreased significantly on arsenic exposure. Concomitant administration of Aloe vera had remarkable protective action on inhibited blood ALAD activity and restored blood GSH level while most of the other blood biochemical parameters remained unchanged on Aloe vera supplementation. Interestingly, most of hepatic biochemical variables indicative of oxidative stress showed protection; no effect of Aloe vera on blood and liver arsenic concentration was noted. Also, no effect of Aloe vera on most of the altered renal biochemical parameters were noticed. The results thus lead us to conclude that simultaneous supplementation of Aloe vera protects against arsenic induced oxidative stress but does not influence the arsenic concentration in these organs.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2004

Phase II double-blind randomized study comparing oral aloe vera versus placebo to prevent radiation-related mucositis in patients with head-and-neck neoplasms.

PURPOSE: In a single-institution, double-blind, prospective, randomized trial, we determined whether oral aloe vera gel can reduce radiation-induced mucositis in head-and-neck cancer patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We randomized 58 head-and-neck cancer patients between oral aloe vera and placebo. To be included in this Phase II protocol, patients had to be treated with radiotherapy with curative intent at Stanford University between February 1999 and March 2002. We examined patients biweekly for mucositis at 15 head-and-neck subsites and administered quality-of-life questionnaires. RESULTS: Patients in the aloe and placebo groups were statistically identical in baseline characteristics. By the end of treatment, the two groups were also statistically identical in maximal grade of toxicity, duration of Grade 2 or worse mucositis, quality-of-life scores, percentage of weight loss, use of pain medications, hydration requirement, oral infections, and prolonged radiation breaks. CONCLUSION: In our randomized study, oral aloe vera was not a beneficial adjunct to head-and-neck radiotherapy. The mean quality-of-life scores were greater in the aloe vera group, but the differences were not statistically significant. Oral aloe vera did not improve tolerance to head-and-neck radiotherapy, decrease mucositis, reduce soreness, or otherwise improve patient well-being.

Aloe↗
PubMed1996

Acceleration of the alcohol oxidation rate in rats with aloin, a quinone derivative of Aloe.

Aloe contains abundant aloin, a C-glycoside derivative of anthraquinone. Based on recent reports indicating that the water extract of Aloe enhances the ethanol oxidation rate and also that quinones, in general, have a functional role in elevating the alcohol oxidation rate in vivo, we have attempted to identify the quinone derivative contained in Aloe that could increase the alcohol oxidation rate. Upon oral administration of aloin (300 mg/kg) given 12 hr prior to the administration of alcohol (3.0 g/kg), the blood alcohol area under the curve (AUC) was found to be decreased significantly (by 40%). This was supported by increases in the rates of blood alcohol elimination and the disappearance of alcohol from the body by 45 and 50%, respectively. Analysis of hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels revealed that both the ethanol and the aloin treatment alone significantly increased the TG levels in a comparable manner; however, the level obtained by the combined treatment of aloin and ethanol was not statistically different from that produced by either treatment alone. The levels of serum L-aspartate:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (AST) and L-alanine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (ALT) activities were not increased by acute alcohol intoxication, aloin alone, or by the combined treatment of alcohol and aloin. Pretreatments with aloe-emodin, the anthraquinone aglycone of aloin, resulted in a significantly decreased blood alcohol AUC and an increase in the rate of ethanol disappearance. These results suggested that when the aloin localized primarily in the skin of Aloe is ingested, aloe-emodin (the quinone aglycone) may be released, and the released quinone may produce acceleration of the ethanol metabolism rate in vivo.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1997

Prevention of ultraviolet radiation-induced suppression of accessory cell function of Langerhans cells by Aloe vera gel components.

The active components of Aloe vera gel that can prevent ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced suppression of accessory cell function of Langerhans cells (LC) were purified by activity-guided sequential fractionation followed by in vitro functional assay. The functional assay was based on the fact that exposure of freshly isolated murine epidermal cells (EC) to UVB radiation resulted in impairment of accessory cell function of LC, as measured by their ability to support anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb)-primed T-cell mitogenesis. This UVB-suppressed LC accessory cell function was prevented by addition of partially purified Aloe gel components to cultures of UVB-irradiated EC. The Aloe gel components appeared to prevent events occurring within the first 24 h after UVB irradiation that lead to the impairment of accessory cell function. The Aloe gel components did not cause proliferation of anti-CD3 mAb-primed T-cells, nor did induce proliferation of normal EC. The activity-guided final purification of Aloe gel components resulted in the isolation of two components. Both of the components were small molecular weight (MW) substances with an apparent MW of less than 1,000 Da but different from each other in net charge characteristics at pH 7.4. These results suggest that Aloe vera gel contains at least two small molecular weight immunomodulators that may prevent UVB-induced immune suppression in the skin.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2000

Chemomodulatory action of Aloe vera on the profiles of enzymes associated with carcinogen metabolism and antioxidant status regulation in mice.

The effect of two doses (30 microl and 60 microl/day/mice daily for 14 days) of the fresh leaf pulp extract of Aloe vera was examined on carcinogen-metabolizing phase-I and phase-II enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, glutathione content, lactate dehydrogenase and lipid peroxidation in the liver of mice. The modulatory effect of the pulp extract was also examined on extrahepatic organs (lung, kidney and forestomach) for the activities of glutathione S-transferase, DT-diophorase, superoxide dismutase and catalase. The positive control mice were treated with butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). Significant increases in the levels of acid soluble sulfhydryl (-SH) content, NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase, glutathione S-transferase (GST), DT-diaphorase (DTD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GR) were observed in the liver. Aloe vera significantly reduced the levels of cytochrome P450 and cytochrome b5. Thus, Aloe vera is clearly an inducer of phase-II enzyme system. Treatment with both doses of Aloe caused a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) formation and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase in the liver, suggesting its role in protection against prooxidant-induced membrane and cellular damage. The microsomal and cytosolic protein was significantly enhanced by Aloe vera, indicating the possibility of its involvement in the induction of protein synthesis. BHA, an antioxidant compound, provided the authenticity of our assay protocol and response of animals against modulator. The pulp extract was effective in inducing GST, DTD, SOD and catalase as measured in extrahepatic organs. Thus, besides liver, other organs (lung, kidney and forestomach) were also influenced favorably by Aloe vera in order to detoxify reactive metabolites, including chemical carcinogens and drugs.

Aloe↗
PubMed2002

A Phase III study on the efficacy of topical aloe vera gel on irradiated breast tissue.

The aim of the study was to see if topical aloe vera gel would be beneficial in reducing the identified skin side-effects of radiation therapy, including erythema, pain, itching, dry desquamation, and moist desquamation, when compared with aqueous cream. The secondary aim was to assess the effect of other factors known to predict severity of radiation skin reaction, ie, breast size, smoking habit, and one or more drainages of lymphocele after surgery, on other skin side effects. A Phase III study was conducted involving 225 patients with breast cancer after lumpectomy or partial mastectomy, who required a course of radiation therapy using tangential fields. Patients were randomized to either topical aloe vera gel or topical aqueous cream to be applied 3 times per day throughout and for 2 weeks after completion of radiation treatment. Weekly skin assessments were performed by nursing staff. Aqueous cream was significantly better than aloe vera gel in reducing dry desquamation and pain related to treatment. Subjects with D cup or larger size breasts experienced significantly more erythema, regardless of treatment arm. For subjects who had undergone lymphocele drainage, the aloe vera group experienced significantly more pain than the aqueous cream group. Within the aqueous cream arm, smokers were significantly more likely to experience itching within the treatment field than were nonsmokers. Within the aloe vera arm, subjects who had undergone one or more lymphocele drainages after surgery were significantly more likely to experience erythema and itching within the treatment field than those who did not have drainage. In this study, aloe vera gel did not significantly reduce radiation-induced skin side effects. Aqueous cream was useful in reducing dry desquamation and pain related to radiation therapy.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed2006

Moisturizing effect of cosmetic formulations containing Aloe vera extract in different concentrations assessed by skin bioengineering techniques.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The polysaccharide-rich composition of Aloe vera extracts (Aloe barbadensis Miller), often used in cosmetic formulations, may impart moisturizing properties to the product. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cosmetic formulations containing different concentrations of freeze-dried Aloe vera extract on skin hydration, after a single and a 1- and 2-week period of application, by using skin bioengineering techniques. METHODS: Stable formulations containing 5% (w/w) of a trilaureth-4 phosphate-based blend were supplemented with 0.10%, 0.25% or 0.50% (w/w) of freeze-dried Aloe vera extract and applied to the volar forearm of 20 female subjects. Skin conditions in terms of the water content of the stratum corneum and of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) (Corneometer CM 825 and Tewameter TM 210) were analysed before and after a single and 1- and 2-week period of daily application. RESULTS: After a single application, only formulations supplemented with 0.25% and 0.50% (w/w) of Aloe vera extract increased the water content of the stratum corneum, while after the 2-week period application, all formulations containing the extract (0.10%, 0.25% and 0.50%) had the same effect, in both cases as compared with the vehicle. TEWL was not modified after a single and after 1- and 2-week period of application, when compared with the vehicle. CONCLUSION: Our results show that freeze-dried Aloe vera extract is a natural effective ingredient for improving skin hydration, possibly through a humectant mechanism. Consequently, it may be used in moisturizing cosmetic formulations and also as a complement in the treatment of dry skin.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Anti-inflammatory constituents, aloesin and aloemannan in Aloe species and effects of tanshinon VI in Salvia miltiorrhiza on heart].

Cinnamoyl, p-coumaroyl, feruloyl, caffeoyl aloesin, and related compounds were isolated from Aloe species. The antiinflammatory and antioxidative activities of these compounds were examined based on the structure-activity relationship. It was suggested that the bioactivities may link to acyl ester groups in aloesin, together with those of aloesin-related compounds. However, investigations using the contact hypersensitivity response indicated a preventive effect of aloesin on the UV-B-induced immune suppression. Furthermore, aloesin inhibited tyrosine hydroxylase and dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) oxidase activities of tyrosinase from normal human melanocyte cell lysates. These results show that aloesin prevents not only UV-B-induced immune suppression, but also could be a positive pigment-altering agent for cosmetic application. In preclinical study, aloe extract was investigated using phagocytosis and nitroblue tetrazolium chloride (NBT) reduction in adult bronchial asthma, and high molecular-weight materials, such as polysaccharide and glycoprotein fractions, were identified as active ingredients. The neutral polysaccharides, aloemannan and acemannan showed antitumor, antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive activities, and glycoprotein fractions with bradykinindegrading and cell proliferation-stimulating activities were identified from the nondialysate fraction of the gel part of Aloe species. Verectin fractionated from Aloe vera gel was examined biochemically and immunochemically, and verectin antibody was used in the appraisal of commercial Aloe vera gel products. It was reported that aloesin stimulates the proliferation of cultured human hepatoma SK-Hep 1 cells. Thus aloesin, related compounds, and high molecular-weight materials, such as aloemannan and verectin, may act in concert to exert therapeutic properties for wounds, burns and inflammation. The biodisposition of fluoresceinylisothiocyanate (FITC)--labeled aloemannan (FITC-AM) with the homogenate from some organs in mice was demonstrated, and FITC-AM was metabolized to a smaller molecule (MW 3000) by the large intestinal microflora in feces. The modified aloe polysaccharide (MW: 80000) with cellulase under restricted conditions, immunologically stimulated the recovery of UV-B-induced tissue in jury. Thus the modified polysaccharides of aloemannan, together with acemannan (MW: about 600000), are expected to participate in biological activity following oral administration. The effects of tanshinone VI, a diterpenoid isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza, on the heart are reviewed. First, the effects on the posthypoxic recovery of contractile function of perfused rat hearts were examined. Hypoxia/reoxygenation induced a release of purine nucleosides and bases (ATP metabolites) and resulted in little recovery of contractile force of reoxygenated hearts. Pretreatment of the perfused heart with 42 nM tanshinone VI under hypoxic conditions attenuated the release of ATP metabolites during hypoxia/reoxygenation. Treatment with tanshinone VI enhanced the posthypoxic recovery of myocardial contractility. These results show that tanshinone VI may protect the heart against hypoxia/reoxygenation injury and improve the posthypoxic cardiac function. Second, the effects of tanshinone VI on in vitro myocardial remodeling were examined. Cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts were isolated from neonatal rat hearts, and simultaneously prepared insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) induced the hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes. IGF-1 increased the collagen synthesis of cardiac fibroblasts, that is, in vitro fibrosis. The hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes was attenuated in the presence of tanshinone VI in the culture medium. The fibrosis of cardiac fibroblasts was decreased by treatment with tanshinone VI. When tanshinone VI was added to cardiac fibroblast-conditioned medium, the medium-mediated hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes was also attenuated. These results show that tanshinone VI may attenuate in vitro cardiac remodeling. The series of studies has shown that tanshinone VI protects the myocardium against hypoxia/reoxygenation injury and attenuates progression of in vitro myocardial remodeling, suggesting that tanshinone VI is a possible agent for the treatment of cardiac disease with contractile failure.

Aloe↗
PubMed2006

Effects of Aloe vera and sucralfate on gastric microcirculatory changes, cytokine levels and gastric ulcer healing in rats.

AIM: To compare the effects of Aloe vera and sucralfate on gastric microcirculatory changes, cytokine levels and gastric ulcer healing. METHODS: Male Spraque-Dawley rats (n=48) were divided into four groups. Group1 served as control group, group 2 as gastric ulcer group without treatment, groups 3 and 4 as gastric ulcer treatment groups with sucralfate and Aloe vera. The rats from each group were divided into 2 subgroups for study of leukocyte adherence, TNF-alpha and IL-10 levels and gastric ulcer healing on days 1 and 8 after induction of gastric ulcer by 20% acetic acid. RESULTS: On day 1 after induction of gastric ulcer, the leukocyte adherence in postcapillary venule was significantly (P<0.05) increased in the ulcer groups when compared to the control group. The level of TNF-alpha was elevated and the level of IL-10 was reduced. In the ulcer groups treated with sucralfate and Aloe vera, leukocyte adherence was reduced in postcapillary venule. The level of IL-10 was elevated, but the level of TNF-alpha had no significant difference. On day 8, the leukocyte adherence in postcapillary venule and the level of TNF-alpha were still increased and the level of IL-10 was reduced in the ulcer group without treatment. The ulcer treated with sucralfate and Aloe vera had lower leukocyte adherence in postcapillary venule and TNF-alpha level. The level of IL-10 was still elevated compared to the ulcer group without treatment. Furthermore, histopathological examination of stomach on days 1 and 8 after induction of gastric ulcer showed that gastric tissue was damaged with inflammation. In the ulcer groups treated with sucralfate and Aloe vera on days 1 and 8, gastric inflammation was reduced, epithelial cell proliferation was enhanced and gastric glands became elongated. The ulcer sizes were also reduced compared to the ulcer group without treatment. CONCLUSION: Administration of 20% acetic acid can induce gastric inflammation, increase leukocyte adherence in postcapillary venule and TNF-alpha level and reduce IL-10 level. Aloe vera treatment can reduce leukocyte adherence and TNF-alpha level, elevate IL-10 level and promote gastric ulcer healing.

Aloe↗
PubMed2003

Effectiveness of Aloe vera on the antioxidant status of different tissues in irradiated rats.

This study was performed to evaluate the role of Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) on the antioxidant status in different tissues of animals whole body exposed to 7 Gy gamma radiations, delivered as a shot dose. Aloe vera (leaf juice filtrate) was supplemented daily to rats (0.25 ml/kg body weight/day), by gavage, 5 days before irradiation and 10 days after irradiation. Experimental investigations performed 3, 7 and 10 days after exposure to radiation showed that Aloe vera treatment has significantly minimized the radiation-induced increase in the amount of malondialdehyde in liver, lungs, and kidney tissues of irradiated rats. Significant amelioration in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities was observed from the 3rd up to the 10th days for lungs, on the 7th and 10th days for kidneys and at 10 days for liver. Data obtained showed that for the different tissues, improvement in the decrease of reduced glutathione (GSH) contents was obvious on the 10th day after irradiation. Treatment with Aloe vera was also effective in minimizing the radiation-induced increase in plasma glucose levels throughout the experimental period, while it has not ameliorated the increase in plasma insulin levels. It could be concluded that the synergistic relationship between the elements found in the leaf of Aloe vera could be a useful adjunct for maintaining the integrity of the antioxidant status.

Aloe↗
PubMed2003

[90-day subchronic toxicity study of aloe whole-leaf powder].

90-day subchronic toxicity study of aloe whole-leaf powder was conducted to observe the effect of aloe whole-leaf powder on health. 88 SD rats were divided randomly into 4 groups, and each group consisted of 11 males and 11 females. The animals in group 2-4 received aloe whole-leaf powder mixed in regular rodent diet at doses of 2, 4 and 8 g/kg BW (by rate of 2.5, 5 and 10 percent in diet) for 90 days. The animals in group 1 received the regular rodent diet. The results showed that aloe whole-leaf powder promoted defecation of rats. Food efficiency and body weight males exposed to 8 g/kg BW were significantly less than those of the controls. Food efficiency males exposed to 4 g/kg BW was significantly decreased, but body weight was not affected. No adverse effect were observed on food efficiency and body weight by males exposed to 2 g/kg BW and all exposed groups of females. Relative kidney weight was significnatly increased in males exposed to 8 g/kg BW and females exposed to 2 g/kg BW or greater. Relative testis weight of rats exposed to 4 and 8 g/kg BW were significantly increased compared to the control groups. Aloe whole-leaf powder at the dose of 2, 4 and 8 g/kg BW did not have adverse effect on hematology, serum AST, ALT, TC, TG, Cr as well as NAG activity of urine, serum BUN was significantly increased at the dose of 8 g/kg BW. Pathology findings: the incidences of pigmentation in renal tubular, mesenteric lymph nodes and lamina propria of the colonic mucosa, and proliferation in mesenteric lymph nodes were significantly increased at all of the exposed groups, but no pigmentation in colonic mucosa was observed at the dose of 2 g/kg BW. No pathological changes were observed in livers, spleens, testes (or ovaries). It was concluded that observed adverse effect level of aloe whole-leaf powder was 2 g/kg BW (LOAEL of aloin was 11.8 g/kg BW).

Aloe↗
PubMed2005

[Effect of aloe vera polysaccharide on the release of cytokines and nitric oxide in cultured human keratinocytes].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of polysaccharide extracted from Aloe Barbadensis on the release of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) in cultured human keratinocytes. METHODS: The levels of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), TGF-beta1, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and NO in the supernatants of keratinocyte culture in which culture media containing 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 microg/ml, respectively of aloe polysaccharide were assayed. In the control group equal volume of media without the polysaccharide was used. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the levels of TGF-alpha, TGF-beta1, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF in the supernatants of cultured keratinocytes were significantly higher when aloe polysaccharide was added (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and they were positively correlated to the concentration of aloe polysaccharide (P<0.01). However, aloe polysaccharide markedly decreased the level of NO in a dose dependent manner (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Aloe polysaccharide could promote keratinocytes to secrete TGF-alpha, TGF-beta1, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF, and inhibit the release of NO.

Aloe↗
PubMed2005

Efficacy of aloe vera cream in prevention and treatment of sunburn and suntan.

The efficacy of aloe vera cream in prevention of burn and tan from ultraviolet were studied in 20 volunteers. The minimal erythema dose of 20 volunteers were tested. The mean MED was 40-60 mj. The well preserved containing 70% of aloe vera cream. The aloe vera cream was applied randomized double blind technique on the test sites 30 minutes before, immediately after, or both before and after then the serial ultraviolet UVB 40,50,60,70,80 mj were radiated. MED reading at 24 hour for sunburn evaluation. Erythema and pigmentation were evaluated by visual grading 1-4 score. The aloe vera cream was continuing applied at the test sites twice daily for the the next three weeks. The results showed that the aloe vera cream has no sunburn or suntan protection and no efficacy in sunburn treatment when compared to placebo. The aloe vera cream has no bleaching effect too.

Aloe↗
PubMed2006

[Determination and analysis of trace element manganese and amino acids content in aloe tea].

The content of trace element manganese in aloe tea was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The contents of 17 kinds of amino acids in aloe tea were determined with amino acids instrumentation. The results showed that there are comparatively rich manganese and amino acids in aloe tea. The content of manganese in red tea is more than in green tea, and the dissolving ratio is more than 50% in boiled water, and first dissolving ratio is more than second dissolving ratio, which is more than third dissolving ratio. There are 7 kinds of amino acids essential to human body, among which are comparatively high aspartic acid, glutamic acid and leucine in aloe tea. It's outstanding characteristic is comparatively high content of manganese in aloe health tea. It has provided useful data for probing into the relationship between trace elements and amino acids in aloe health tea and health care function.

Aloe↗
PubMed2005

Aloe-emodin induced DNA damage through generation of reactive oxygen species in human lung carcinoma cells.

The DNA aggregation was found in aloe-emodin-induced H460 cell apoptosis in this study. Aloe-emodin (40microM)-induced DNA single strand breaks were observed by comet assay. Aloe-emodin induced decreases in the mRNA of DNA repair enzymes such as hMTH1, hOGG1 and APE. Although the activity of the radical-scavenging enzyme SOD was enhanced by aloe-emodin, the effects of aloe-emodin on H460 cell apoptosis were suspected to result from the prooxidant. These results suggest that aloe-emodin induced DNA damage through generation of reactive oxygen species in human lung carcinoma cells.

Anthraquinones↗