1_ Yakugaku Zasshi. 2003 Jul;123(7):51732.
[Antiinflammatory constituents, aloesin and aloemannan in Aloe species
and effects of tanshinon VI in Salvia miltiorrhiza on heart] [Article
in Japanese]
Yagi A, Takeo S.
Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuyama University,
985 Gakuencho, Fukuyama 7290292, Japan. yagi@fupharm.fukuyamau.ac.jp
Cinnamoyl, pcoumaroyl, feruloyl, caffeoyl aloesin, and related compounds
were
isolated from Aloe species. The antiinflammatory and antioxidative activities
of
these compounds were examined based on the structureactivity relationship.
It
was suggested that the bioactivities may link to acyl ester groups in
aloesin,
together with those of aloesinrelated compounds. However, investigations
using
the contact hypersensitivity response indicated a preventive effect of
aloesin
on the UVBinduced 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 UVBinduced immune suppression, but also could be a positive
pigmentaltering 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 molecularweight 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 proliferationstimulating 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 SKHep 1 cells. Thus aloesin,
related
compounds, and high molecularweight 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 (FITCAM) with the homogenate from some organs in mice was
demonstrated, and FITCAM 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 UVBinduced 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
insulinlike growth factor1 (IGF1) induced the hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes.
IGF1 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 fibroblastconditioned medium, the mediummediated 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.
2_ Acta Pol Pharm. 2003 JanFeb;60(1):319.
Technology of eye drops containing aloe (Aloe arborescens Mill.Liliaceae)
and eye drops containing both aloe and neomycin sulphate.
Kodym A, Marcinkowski A, Kukula H.
Department of Drug Form Technology, Ludwik Rydygier Medical University
in Bydgoszcz.
Eye drops made of aloe are a sterile, aqueous extract of fresh leaves
of Aloe
arborescens Mill., containing necessary additives and neomycin sulphate.
The aim
of the studies was to establish the technology of eye drops containing
biologically active aloe substances and those containing both chemical
constituents of aloe and neomycin sulphate. Within the studies, the formulary
content and the way of preparing eye drops were determined, criteria were
defined and methods of qualitative assessment of drops were proposed.
On the
basis of the proposed analytical methods, the physicochemical and
microbiological stability of the eye drops stored at a temperature of
2025
degrees C was studied. As the criteria of qualitative assessment of the
eye
drops, the following analyses were considered: sterility, appearance of
the eye
drops (clarity), pH, osmotic pressure, density, viscosity, TLC analysis,
content
of aloenin and aloin, studies of antimicrobial activity of neomycin in
the
drops, and preservative efficiency of thiomersal in the eye drops. The
studies
showed that the additives such as: sodium chloride, benzalkonium chloride,
chlorhexidine diacetate and digluconate, phenylmercuric borate and Nipagins
M
and P could not be used to prepare the eye drops because they were involved
in
pharmaceutical interactions with chemical constituents of aloe in the
eye drops.
The eye drops containing: aqueous extract of fresh leaves of aloe, boric
acid,
thiomersal, sodium pyrosulphite, disodium EDTA, betaphenylethyl alcohol
and
neomycin sulphate, both freshly prepared and after two years of storage,
met the
requirements of the Polish Pharmacopoeia (PPh V) mentioned in the monograph
Guttae ophthalmicae. They were sterile, clear, their osmotic pressure
approximated the osmotic pressure of lacrimal fluid and they were characterized
by appropriate pH. Aloenin in the drops was much more stable than aloin.
Neomycin after two years of storage retained almost 98% of its starting
antimicrobial activity which allows the conclusion that the biologically
active
aloe substances did not decrease the stability of neomycin in the drops.
The
preservation assay showed that thiomersal, both in the freshly prepared
drops
and after two years of storage, maintained antimicrobial activity, which
was in
accordance with PPh V.
3_ Planta Med. 2003 Mar;69(3):26971.
Radical scavenging glycoprotein inhibiting cyclooxygenase2 and thromboxane
A2 synthase from aloe vera gel.
Yagi A, Kabash A, Mizuno K, Moustafa SM, Khalifa TI, Tsuji H.
Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuyama University,
GakuenCho, Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Japan. yagi@fupharm.fukuyamau.ac.jp
An active glycoprotein fraction containing 58 % protein was isolated
from Aloe
vera gel by precipitation with 55 % ammonium sulfate followed by gel permeation
using DEAESephacel A25, Sepharose 6B and Sephadex G50 columns in a yield
of 3
x 10 3 %. The glycoprotein fraction showed a single band corresponding
to a
subunit of verectin at the same position when stained with both Coomassie
brilliant blue and periodic acidSchiff reagents on 18 % SDSPAGE. The molecular
weight (14 kDa) was confirmed by Sephadex G50 column chromatography. The
glycoprotein fraction showed a radical scavenging activity against superoxide
anion generated by the xanthinexanthine oxidase system as well as inhibition
of
cyclooxygenase2 and reduction of thromboxane A 2 synthase level in vitro.
4_ J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2003 Mar;30(2):6871.
Is aloe vera effective for healing chronic wounds?
Gallagher J, Gray M.
Massachusetts General Hospital, 32 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
jgallagher1@partners.org
Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2003 Mar;47(3):11379.
In vitro susceptibilities of Shigella flexneri and Streptococcus pyogenes
to
inner gel of Aloe barbadensis Miller.
Ferro VA, Bradbury F, Cameron P, Shakir E, Rahman SR, Stimson WH.
Department of Immunology, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 ONR, United
Kingdom. v.a.ferro@strath.ac.uk
Aloe barbadensis Miller (or Aloe vera) has widespread use in health products,
and despite numerous reports on the whole plant, little work has been
performed
on the inner gel, which has been used extensively in these products. This
report
describes the in vitro susceptibilities of two bacteria to this component.
5_ Life Sci. 2003 Jan 3;72(7):84350.
Inhibition of collagenase and metalloproteinases by aloins and aloe gel.
Barrantes E, Guinea M.
Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of Alcala,
Ctra. MadridBarcelona Km 33.6, 28871 Alcala de Henares, Spain.
The effects of Aloe barbadensis gel and aloe gel constituents on the
activity of
microbial and human metalloproteinases have been investigated. Clostridium
histolyticum collagenase (ChC) results dosedependently inhibited by aloe
gel
and the activityguided fractionation led to an active fraction enriched
in
phenolics and aloins. Aloins have been shown to be able to bind and to
inhibit
ChC reversibly and noncompetitively. Aloe gel and aloins are also effective
inhibitors of stimulated granulocyte matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).
The
remarkable structural resemblances between aloins and the pharmacophore
structure of inhibitory tetracyclines, suggest that the inhibitory effects
of
aloins are via an interaction between the carbonyl group at C(9) and an
adjacent
hydroxyl group of anthrone (C(1) or C(8)) at the secondary binding site
of
enzyme, destabilizing the structure of granulocyte MMPs.
6_ Lin Chuang Er Bi Yan Hou Ke Za Zhi. 2002 May;16(5):22931.
[Molecular biological study of aloe vera in the treatment of experimental
allergic rhinitis in rat] [Article in Chinese]
Yu H, Dong Z, Yang Z.
Department of OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery, ChinaJapan Union Hospital,
Jilin University, Changchun 130031.
OBJECTIVE: To study the therapeutic mechanism of aloe vera in allergic
rhinitis
(AR). METHOD: Ovalbumin sensitized white rat used as animal models of
AR were
treated intranasally with aloe vera. At the end of treatment, the differences
in
the behavior science were observed; the changes in the nasal mucosa were
studied
by pathological; IL2, IL4 mRNA in the nasal mucosa and spleen were used
to do
reverse transcriptive polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR). RESULT: The behavior
science score of positive controls (8.42 +/ 1.06) was higher than the
experimental group (2.02 +/ 0.42) and normal controls (0); inflammatory
reactions in the experimental group nasal mucosa were remarkably relieved;
the
mean expression level of IL2 mRNA in the experimental group was higher
significantly than positive controls (P < 0.01); but that of IL4 mRNA
was lower
evidently (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The aloe vera are suggested to be
involved in
the differentiation of CD4+ lymphocytes, by means of regulating the expression
of Th1 and Th2 cytokines. The results suggests that local aloe vera treatment
was a selective and nontraumatic method to treat the allergic rhinitis.
7_ Pharmazie. 2002 Dec;57(12):8347.
Physicochemical and microbiological properties as well as stability of
ointments containing aloe extract (Aloe arborescens Mill.) or aloe extract
associated to neomycin sulphate.
Kodym A, Bujak T.
Department of Drug Form Technology, Karol Marcinkowski Medical Academy,
Poznan.
The aim of the study was to work out methods of quality assessment of
ointments
containing dry extract from fresh leaves of Aloe arborescens Mill. (Lilliaceae)
and also of ointments containing both of dry extract and neomycin sulphate.
The
stability of the ointments, stored at 20 degrees C, was studied and the
following criteria were considered: chromatographic analysis (TLC), pH
of the
ointments, the content of the substances in the dry extract converted
to
aloenin, the content of aloenin and aloin, antimicrobial activity of neomycin
in the ointments, the size of the particles of the dry extract and of
neomycin
sulphate in the ointment suspension and the sterility of the ointments.
After
two years of storage at 20 degrees C, the ointments prepared with the
anhydrous
lipophilic base, did not change their physicochemical characteristics
and
neomycin in those ointments retained almost 100% of starting antimicrobial
activity. Water or propylene glycol significantly decreased the stability
of the
biologically active substances of the dry extract in the ointments. Besides,
in
the ointments containing the dry extract and neomycin sulphate, the presence
of
water or propylene glycol induced degradation of the biologically active
substances of the dry extract and a decrease in the antimicrobial activity
of
neomycin in the ointments. Considering the physicochemical and microbiological
stability, the most advisable base for the ointments with aloe and neomycin
sulphate was composed of white vaseline, liquid paraffin, solid paraffin,
cholesterol.
8_ Cancer Nurs. 2002 Dec;25(6):44251.
A Phase III study on the efficacy of topical aloe vera gel on irradiated
breast tissue.
Heggie S, Bryant GP, Tripcony L, Keller J, Rose P, Glendenning M, Heath
J.
Queensland Radium Institute, Division of Oncology, Royal Brisbane Hospital,
Australia. Pauline_Rose@health.qld.gov.au
The aim of the study was to see if topical aloe vera gel would be beneficial
in
reducing the identified skin sideeffects 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
radiationinduced skin side effects. Aqueous cream was useful in reducing
dry
desquamation and pain related to radiation therapy.
9_ Phytother Res. 2002 Dec;16(8):7128.
The influence of longterm Aloe vera ingestion on agerelated disease in
male Fischer 344 rats.
Ikeno Y, Hubbard GB, Lee S, Yu BP, Herlihy JT.
Department of Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San
Antonio, Texas 782293900, USA.
The effects of longterm Aloe vera ingestion on agerelated diseases were
investigated using male specific pathogenfree (SPF) Fischer 344 rats.
Experimental animals were divided into four groups: Group A, the control
rats
fed a semisynthetic diet without Aloe vera; Group B, rats fed a diet containing
1% freezedried Aloe vera filet; Group C, rats fed a diet containing 1%
charcoalprocessed, freezedried Aloe vera filet; and Group D, rats fed
the
control diet and given whole leaf charcoalprocessed Aloe vera (0.02%)
in the
drinking water. This study demonstrates that lifelong Aloe vera ingestion
produced neither harmful effects nor deleterious changes. In addition,
Aloe vera
ingestion appeared to be associated with some beneficial effects on agerelated
diseases. Groups B exhibited significantly less occurrence of multiple
causes of
death, and a slightly lower incidence of fatal chronic nephropathy compared
with
Group A rats. Groups B and C rats showed the trend, slightly lower incidences
of
thrombosis in the cardiac atrium than Group A rats. Therefore, these findings
suggest that lifelong Aloe vera ingestion does not cause any obvious harmful
and deleterious side effects, and could also be beneficial for the prevention
of
agerelated pathology. Copyright 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
10_ Planta Med. 2002 Nov;68(11):95760.
Antioxidant, free radical scavenging and antiinflammatory effects of aloesin
derivatives in Aloe vera.
Yagi A, Kabash A, Okamura N, Haraguchi H, Moustafa SM, Khalifa TI.
Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuyama University,
Gakuencho, Fukuyama, Japan. yagi@fupharm.fukuyamau.ac.jp
Antioxidant components in Aloe vera were examined for lipid peroxidation
using
rat liver microsomal and mitochondrial enzymes. Among the aloesin derivatives
examined, isorabaichromone showed a potent antioxidative activity. The
DPPH
radical and superoxide anion scavenging activities were determined. As
one of
the most potent components, isorabaichromone together with feruloylaloesin
and
pcoumaroylaloesin showed potent DPPH radical and superoxide anion scavenging
activities. Electron spin resonance (ESR) using the spin trapping method
suggested that the potent superoxide anion scavenging activity of
isorabaichromone may have been due to its caffeoyl group. As A. vera has
long
been used to promote wound healing, the inhibitory effects of aloesin
derivatives for cyclooxygenase (Cox)2 and thromboxane (Tx) A 2 synthase
were
examined and the participation of pcoumaroyl and feruloyl ester groups
in the
aloesin skeleton was demonstrated. These findings may explain, at least
in part,
the wound healing effects of A.vera. Abbreviations. ADP:adenosine diphosphate
ASA:ascorbic acid BHT:butylated hydroxytoluene BSA:bovine serum albumin
DMPO:5,5dimethyl1pyrroline Noxide DPPH:1,1diphenyl2picrylhydrazyl
EDTA:edetic acid HEPES: N(2hydroxyethyl)piperazine N2'ethanesulfonic acid
NADH:reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide NADPH:reduced nicotinamide
adenine dinucleotide phosphate NBT:nitroblue tetrazolium Pg:prostaglandin
SOD:superoxide dismutase TBA:thiobarbituric acid TCA:trichloroacetic acid
XOD:xanthine oxidase
11_ Acta Pol Pharm. 2002 MayJun;59(3):1816.
Biopharmaceutical assessment of eye drops containing aloe (Aloe arborescens
Mill.) and neomycin sulphate.
Kodym A, Grzeskowiak E, Partyka D, Marcinkowski A, KaczynskaDyba E.
Department of Drug Form Technology, Karol Marcinkowski Medical Academy
in Poznan.
The subject of the studies was eye drops made of aloe, containing the
group of
aloe chemical substances of antiinflammatory use and neomycin sulphate.
The aim
of the studies was to evaluate the permeability of biologically active
aloe
substances, determined as aloenin, through synthetic lipophilic and hydrophilic
membranes in a standard perfusion apparatus and in vitro verification
of the
transport possibilities of these substances through the isolated cornea
of pig's
eye. The permeability process of biologically active aloe substances determined
as aloenin, through synthetic lipophilic and hydrophilic membranes, was
analyzed
using the firstorder kinetics. Estimated quotas of permeability rate constant
show that the investigated chemical compounds of aloe, included in the
eye
drops, diffused through the applied membranes. The studies of permeability
through isolated pig's cornea proved that biologically active aloe substances
could not overcome this biological barrier. On the basis of biopharmaceutical
studies it can be concluded that the eye drops containing aloe and neomycin
sulphate, due to the lack of permeating abilities through the eye cornea,
should
be particularly useful in the treatment of inflammations and infections
of
external parts of the eye, such as conjuctiva, eyelid edges, lacrimal
sac and
cornea.
12_ Life Sci. 2002 Sep 6;71(16):187992.
The antiproliferative activity of aloeemodin is through p53dependent and
p21dependent apoptotic pathway in human hepatoma cell lines.
Kuo PL, Lin TC, Lin CC.
Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung
Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, ROC.
The aim of this study is to investigate the anticancer effect of aloeemodin
in
two human liver cancer cell lines, Hep G2 and Hep 3B. We observed that
aloeemodin inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in both
examined
cell lines, but with different the antiproliferative mechanisms. In Hep
G2
cells, aloeemodin induced p53 expression and was accompanied by induction
of
p21 expression that was associated with a cell cycle arrest in G1 phase.
In
addition, aloeemodin had a marked increase in Fas/APO1 receptor and Bax
expression. In contrast, with p53deficient Hep 3B cells, the inhibition
of cell
proliferation of aloeemodin was mediated through a p21dependent manner
that
did not cause cell cycle arrest or increase the level of Fas/APO1 receptor,
but
rather promoted aloeemodin induced apoptosis by enhancing expression of
Bax.
These findings suggest that aloeemodin may be useful in liver cancer
prevention.
13_ Pharmacol Toxicol. 2002 May;90(5):27884.
Protective effect of aloe extract against the cytotoxicity of 1,4naphthoquinone
in isolated rat hepatocytes involves modulations in cellular thiol levels.
Norikura T, Kennedy DO, Nyarko AK, Kojima A, MatsuiYuasa I.
Department of Food and Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Human
Life Science, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan.
Aloe is a familiar ingredient in a wide range of health care and cosmetic
products and has been reported to possess various physiological effects,
antioxidative, anticarcinogenic, antiinflammatory and laxative. Aloe has
also
been reported to have an effect on liver function. The cytoprotective
effect of
aloe extract against 1,4naphthoquinoneinduced hepatotoxicity was evaluated
in
primary cultured rat hepatocytes. After exposure to 1,4naphthoquinone
(100
microM), a decrease in cell viability measured as >60% lactate dehydrogenase
depletion was induced. Cellular glutathione (GSH) and proteinSH levels
were
also significantly decreased in a timedependent manner. However addition
of
aloe extract resulted in a dosedependent improvement of these effects.
This
cytoprotective effect of aloe could be attributed to its inhibition of
GSH and
proteinSH depletions. The effect of the aloe extracts were also dosedependent.
Addition of diethyl maleate (1 mM), a cellular glutathionedepleting agent,
to
hepatocytes treated with both 1,4naphthoquinone and aloe extract, induced
depletion of GSH, but did not affect proteinSH or lactate dehydrogenase.
These
results suggest that the 1,4naphthoquinoneinduced toxicity in rat hepatocytes
was inhibited by aloe extract, and that this protective effect was due
to the
maintenance of cellular thiols, especially proteinSH.
14_ J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2002 Apr;60(4):3749; discussion 379.
Reduction in the incidence of alveolar osteitis in patients treated with
the SaliCept patch, containing Acemannan hydrogel.
Poor MR, Hall JE, Poor AS.
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX, USA. Txpoors@aol.com
PURPOSE: In the present study, we compared the incidence of alveolar
osteitis
(AO) in patients treated with either clindamycinsoaked Gelfoam (Pharmacia
and
Upjohn Co, Kalamazoo, MI) or SaliCept Patches (Carrington Laboratories,
Inc,
Irving, TX). The SaliCept Patch is a freezedried pledget that contains
Acemannan Hydrogel (Carrington Laboratories) obtained from the clear inner
gel
of Aloe vera L. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was performed
of the records of 587 patients (1,031 sockets) whose extraction sites
had been
treated with clindamycinsoaked Gelfoam. A prospective trial was conducted
in
which 607 patients (1,064 sockets) had 2 SaliCept Patches placed immediately
after extraction. The same surgeon treated all patients. RESULTS: Analysis
restricted to mandibular third molar sites showed that 78 of 975 sites
(8.0%) in
the Gelfoam group developed AO, whereas only 11 of 958 sites (1.1%) in
the
SaliCept group developed AO (P <.0001). Further analysis of all extraction
sites
revealed that the incidence of AO in the Gelfoam group was 7.6% compared
with
1.1% in the SaliCepttreated group (P <.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The study
results
suggest that the SaliCept Patch significantly reduces the incidence of
AO
compared with clindamycinsoaked Gelfoam. Copyright 2002 American Association
of
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
15_ J Okla Dent Assoc. 2002 Winter;92(3):403.
The clinical effects of saline and aloe vera rinses on periodontal surgical
sites.
Rieger L, Carson RE.
Department of Dental Hygiene, University of Oklahoma, College of Dentistry,
USA.
16_ Cancer Lett. 2002 Apr 25;178(2):11722.
Chemopreventive effects of Aloe arborescens on Nnitrosobis(2oxopropyl)amineinduced
pancreatic carcinogenesis in hamsters.
Furukawa F, Nishikawa A, Chihara T, Shimpo K, Beppu H, Kuzuya H, Lee IS,
Hirose M.
Division of Pathology, Biological Safety Research Center, National Institute
of Health Sciences, 1181 Kamiyoga, Setagayaku, Tokyo 1588501, Japan.
The modification effects of freezedried aloe (Aloe arborescens) whole
leaf
powder during the initiation phase of carcinogenesis were investigated
in
hamsters treated with Nnitrosobis(2oxopropyl)amine (BOP). Female Syrian
hamsters were given four weekly subcutaneous injections of BOP at a dose
of
10mg/kg and then given 0, 1 or 5% aloe in their diet for 5 weeks. At week
54 of
the experiment, all surviving animals were sacrificed and development
of
neoplastic and preneoplastic lesions was assessed histopathologically.
The
incidences of pancreatic adenocarcinomas, atypical hyperplasias or total
atypical hyperplasias plus adenocarcinomas were significantly (P<0.05)
decreased
with BOP+5% aloe, and that of adenocarcinomas were also significantly
(P<0.05)
reduced in the BOP+1% aloe as compared to the BOP alone group. Multiplicities
of
pancreatic adenocarcinomas, atypical hyperplasias or total lesions were
also
significantly (P<0.01 or P<0.05) lower in the BOP+5% aloe group
than with the
BOP alone. Quantitative data for neoplastic lesions in the lung, liver,
gall
bladder, kidney and urinary bladder of hamsters were not significantly
different
among the three groups. In a satellite experiment, pretreatment with aloe
significantly (P<0.01) reduced the formation of O6methyldeoxyguanosine
in
epithelial cells of pancreatic ducts as compared to the BOP alone value.
Our
results thus indicate that aloe prevents BOPinduced pancreatic neoplasia
in
hamsters in relation to decreased DNA adduct formation in the target tissue.
17_ J Ethnopharmacol. 2002 Mar;79(3):299304.
Evaluation of the efficacy of the crude extract of Aloe secundiflora in
chickens experimentally infected with Newcastle disease virus.
Waihenya RK, Mtambo MM, Nkwengulila G.
Department of Zoology and Marine Biology, University of Dar es Salaam,
PO Box 35064, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Two replicate experiments were carried out to verify the efficacy of
Aloe
species (Aloaceae) as used for the control of Newcastle disease (ND) in
rural
poultry in freerange systems among several communities in Tanzania. Four
months
old local chickens free of Newcastle disease antibodies were used. Following
inoculation with ND virus, body weights, clinical signs, antibody levels
and
mortality were monitored. Results showed that there was reduced mortality
rate
and the severity of clinical signs during the acute phase of the infection
in
Aloe treated chickens compared with the nontreated ones. However, there
was no
significant effect of the Aloe on the antibody levels that were attributed
to
the recovery of the surviving chickens. The findings of this study suggest
that
Aloe secundiflora could be a potential candidate on the management of
Newcastle
disease in chickens. Further studies are in progress to identify the active
ingredients of A. secundiflora against Newcastle disease virus.
18_ Am J Dermatopathol. 2002 Feb;24(1):1722.
The effect of aloe emodin on the proliferation of a new merkel carcinoma
cell line.
Wasserman L, Avigad S, Beery E, Nordenberg J, Fenig E.
Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel
Aviv University, Rabin Medical Center Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikva 49100,
Israel. yardenam@clalit.org.ie
A freefloating cell line has been established from a metastatic lesion
of a
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) patient. The cell line was characterized by
immunocytochemical reactions with antibodies against the epithelial and
neuroendocrine antigens: cytokeratin 20, neuronspecific enolase, chromogranin
A, neurofilament protein, synaptophysin, and calcitonin. Karyotype analysis
of
the MCC cells showed deletion in chromosomes 3 and 7, loss of chromosome
10, and
several translocations in other chromosomes. No mutation was detected
in the
TP53 gene, after analyzing the complete coding region. Growth factors
such as
basic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factorbeta, and nerve
and
epidermal growth factors had no effect on the proliferation of the cells.
The
differentiationinducing agents sodium butyrate and dimethyl sulfoxide,
especially the former, markedly inhibited the proliferation of the MCC
cells.
Aloe emodin, a natural constituent of aloe vera leaves, significantly
inhibited
the growth of MCC cells. Aloe emodin has been reported to be nontoxic
for normal
cells but to possess specific toxicity for neuroectodermal tumor cells.
Differentiationinducing agents, and aloe emodin, merit further investigation
as
potential agents for treating MCC.
19_ Br J Dermatol 2001 Oct;145(4):53545
The woundhealing effect of a glycoprotein fraction isolated from aloe
vera.
Choi SW, Son BW, Son YS, Park YI, Lee SK, Chung MH.
Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine,
Seoul 110799, Korea.
BACKGROUND: Aloe vera has been used as a family medicine for promoting
wound
healing, but it is not known which component of the plant is effective
for this
purpose. OBJECTIVES: To isolate and characterize the component effective
in
wound healing. METHODS: Chromatography, electrophoresis and spectroscopic
methods were used. The cellproliferation activity of each component isolated
was measured by a [3H]thymidine uptake assay. The cellproliferation activity
of
the effective component was tested on a threedimensional raft culture
(cell
culture technique by which artificial epidermis is made from keratinocytes).
The
effect of the active component on cell migration and wound healing was
observed
on a monolayer of human keratinocytes and in hairless mice. RESULTS: A
glycoprotein fraction was isolated and named G1G1M1DI2. It showed a single
band
on sodium dodecyl sulphatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, with an
apparent
molecular weight of about 5.5 kDa. It exhibited significant [3H]thymidine
uptake
in squamous cell carcinoma cells. The effect of G1G1M1DI2 on cell migration
was
confirmed by accelerated wound healing on a monolayer of human keratinocytes.
When this fraction was tested on a raft culture, it stimulated the formation
of
epidermal tissue. Furthermore, proliferation markers (epidermal growth
factor
receptor, fibronectin receptor, fibronectin, keratin 5/14 and keratin
1/10) were
markedly expressed at the immunohistochemical level. The glycoprotein
fraction
enhanced wound healing in hairless mice by day 8 after injury, with significant
cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: It is considered that this glycoprotein
fraction is involved in the woundhealing effect of aloe vera via cell
proliferation and migration.
20_ Br J Gen Pract 1999 Oct;49(447):8238
Aloe vera: a systematic review of its clinical effectiveness.
Vogler BK, Ernst E.
Department of Complementary Medicine, School of Postgraduate Medicine
and Health Sciences, University of Exeter.
BACKGROUND: The use of aloe vera is being promoted for a large variety
of
conditions. Often general practitioners seem to know less than their patients
about its alleged benefits. AIM: To define the clinical effectiveness
of aloe
vera, a popular herbal remedy in the United Kingdom. METHOD: Four independent
literature searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Biosis, and the
Cochrane
Library. Only controlled clinical trials (on any indication) were included.
There were no restrictions on the language of publication. All trials
were read
by both authors and data were extracted in a standardized, predefined
manner.
RESULTS: Ten studies were located. They suggest that oral administration
of aloe
vera might be a useful adjunct for lowering blood glucose in diabetic
patients
as well as for reducing blood lipid levels in patients with hyperlipidaemia.
Topical application of aloe vera is not an effective preventative for
radiationinduced injuries. It might be effective for genital herpes and
psoriasis. Whether it promotes wound healing is unclear. There are major
caveats
associated with all of these statements. CONCLUSION: Even though there
are some
promising results, clinical effectiveness of oral or topical aloe vera
is not
sufficiently defined at present.
21_ J Med Assoc Thai 2000 Apr;83(4):41725
Therapeutic effects of Aloe vera on cutaneous microcirculation and wound
healing in second degree burn model in rats.
Somboonwong J, Thanamittramanee S, Jariyapongskul A, Patumraj S.
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University
Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the microcirculatory and wound healing effects
of Aloe vera on induced second degree burn wounds in rats. METHOD: A total
of 48 male Wistar rats were equally divided into 4 groups as follows:
sham controls, untreated burnwound rats, those treated with oncedaily
application of normal saline (NSS) and those treated with oncedaily application
of lyophilized Aloe vera gel. The animals in each group were equally subdivided
into 2 subgroups for the study of cutaneous microcirculation and wound
healing on day 7 and 14 after burn. Dorsal skinfold chamber preparation
and intravital fluorescence microscopic technique were performed to examine
dermal microvascular changes, including arteriolar diameter, postcapillary
venular permeability and leukocyte adhesion on postcapillary venules.
RESULTS: On day 7, the vasodilation and increased postcapillary venular
permeability as encountered in the untreated burn were found to be reduced
significantly (p < 0.05) in both the NSS and Aloe veratreated groups,
but to a greater extent in the latter. Leukocyte adhesion was not different
among the untreated, NSS and Aloe veratreated groups. On day 14, vasoconstriction
occurred after the wound had been left untreated. Only in the Aloe veratreated
groups, was arteriolar diameter increased up to normal condition and postcapillary
venular permeability was not different from the sham controls. The amount
of leukocyte adhesion was also less observed compared to the untreated
and NSS treated groups. Besides, the healing area of the Aloe veratreated
wound was better than that of the untreated and NSS treated groups during
7 and 14 days after burn. CONCLUSION: Aloe vera could exhibit the actions
of both antiinflammation and wound healing promotion when applied on a
second degree burn wound.
I Indian J Exp Biol 1998 Sep;36(9):896901
Influence of Aloe vera on collagen turnover in healing of dermal wounds
in rats.
Chithra P, Sajithlal GB, Chandrakasan G.
Department of Biochemistry, Central Leather Research Institute, Adyar,
Chennai, India.
Treatment of fullthickness wounds with A. vera, on rats resulted in increased
biosynthesis of collagen and its degradation. A corresponding increase
in the
urinary excretion of hydroxyproline was also observed. Elevated levels
of lysyl
oxidase also indicated increased crosslinking of newly synthesised collagen.
The
results suggest that A. vera influences the wound healing process by enhancing
collagen turnover in the wound tissue.
22_ Mol Cell Biochem 1998 Apr;181(12):716
Influence of Aloe vera on collagen characteristics in healing dermal wounds
in rats.
Chithra P, Sajithlal GB, Chandrakasan G.
Department of Biochemistry, Central Leather Research Institute, Adyar,
Madras, India.
Wound healing is a fundamental response to tissue injury that results
in
restoration of tissue integrity. This end is achieved mainly by the synthesis
of
the connective tissue matrix. Collagen is the major protein of the extracellular
matrix, and is the component which ultimately contributes to wound strength.
In
this work, we report the influence of Aloe vera on the collagen content
and its
characteristics in a healing wound. It was observed that Aloe vera increased
the
collagen content of the granulation tissue as well as its degree of crosslinking
as seen by increased aldehyde content and decreased acid solubility. The
type
I/type III collagen ratio of treated groups were lower than that of the
untreated controls, indicating enhanced levels of type III collagen. Wounds
were
treated either by topical application or oral administration of Aloe vera
to
rats and both treatments were found to result in similar effects.
23_ J Ethnopharmacol 1998 Jan;59(3):195201
Influence of aloe vera on the healing of dermal wounds in diabetic rats.
Chithra P, Sajithlal GB, Chandrakasan G.
Department of Biochemistry, Central Leather Research Institute, Adyar,
Chennai, India.
The positive influence of Aloe vera, a tropical cactus, on the healing
of
fullthickness wounds in diabetic rats is reported. Fullthickness
excision/incision wounds were created on the back of rats, and treated
either by
topical application on the wound surface or by oral administration of
the Aloe
vera gel to the rat. Wound granulation tissues were removed on various
days and
the collagen, hexosamine, total protein and DNA contents were determined,
in
addition to the rates of wound contraction and period of epithelialization.
Measurements of tensile strength were made on treated/untreated incision
wounds.
The results indicated that Aloe vera treatment of wounds in diabetic rats
may
enhance the process of wound healing by influencing phases such as inflammation,
fibroplasia, collagen synthesis and maturation, and wound contraction.
These
effects may be due to the reported hypoglycemic effects of the aloe gel.
24_ J Ethnopharmacol 1998 Jan;59(3):17986
Influence of Aloe vera on the glycosaminoglycans in the matrix of healing
dermal wounds in rats.
Chithra P, Sajithlal GB, Chandrakasan G.
Department of Biochemistry, Central Leather Research Institute, Madras,
India.
The influence of Aloe vera (L.) Burman f. on the glycosaminoglycan (GAG)
components of the matrix in a healing wound was studied. Wound healing
is a
dynamic and complex sequence of events of which the major one is the synthesis
of extracellular matrix components. The early stage of wound healing is
characterized by the laying down of a provisional matrix, which is then
followed
by the formation of granulation tissue and synthesis of collagen and elastin.
The provisional matrix or the ground substance consists of GAGs and
proteoglycans (PGs), which are protein GAG conjugates. In the present
work, we
have studied the influence of Aloe vera on the content of GAG and its
types in
the granulation tissue of healing wounds. We have also reported the levels
of a
few enzymes involved in matrix metabolism. The amount of ground substance
synthesized was found to be higher in the treated wounds, and in particular,
hyaluronic acid and dermatan sulphate levels were increased. The levels
of the
reported glycohydrolases were elevated on treatment with Aloe vera, indicating
increased turnover of the matrix. Both topical and oral treatments with
Aloe
vera were found to have a positive influence on the synthesis of GAGs
and
thereby beneficially modulate wound healing.
25_ Immunopharmacology 1996 Nov;35(2):11928
Activation of a mouse macrophage cell line by acemannan: the major carbohydrate
fraction from Aloe vera gel.
Zhang L, Tizard IR.
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A & M University College
Station 77843, USA.
Acemannan is the name given to the major carbohydrate fraction obtained
from the
gel of the Aloe vera leaf. It has been claimed to have several important
therapeutic properties including acceleration of wound healing, immune
stimulation, anticancer and antiviral effects. However, the biological
mechanisms of these activities are unclear. Because of this wide diversity
of
effects, it is believed that they may be exerted through pluripotent effector
cells such as macrophages. The effects of acemannan on the mouse macrophage
cell
line, RAW 264.7 cells were therefore investigated. It was found that acemannan
could stimulate macrophage cytokine production, nitric oxide release,
surface
molecule expression, and cell morphologic changes. The production of the
cytokines IL6 and TNFalpha were dependent on the dose of acemannan provided.
Nitric oxide production, cell morphologic changes and surface antigen
expression
were increased in response to stimulation by a mixture of acemannan and
IFNgamma. These results suggest that acemannan may function, at least
in part,
through macrophage activation.
26_ Comparative evaluation of aloe vera in the management of burn wounds
in guinea pigs
RodriguezBigas M.; Cruz N.I.; Suarez A.
Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine,
San Juan 00936 Puerto Rico
PLAST. RECONSTR. SURG. (USA) , 1988, 81/3 (386389)
An experimental study was designed using Hartley guinea pigs, who received
fullthickness burns covering 3 percent of their body surface area by direct
contact with a hot plate. A total of 40 animals were equally divided among
four modalities of closed burn wound management as follows: group I: silver
sulfadiazine (Silvadine); group II: aloe vera gel extract (Carrington
Dermal Wound Gel); group III: salicyclic acid cream (aspirin); and group
IV: plain gauze occlusive dressing only. The dressings were changed daily,
and the size and appearance of each burn wound were recorded until complete
healing. On the sixth postburn day, quantitative burn wound cultures were
made. The average time to complete healing in the control group was 50
days, and the only significant difference was found in the aloe veratreated
animals, which healed on an average of 30 days (p < 0.02). Wound bacterial
counts were effectively decreased by silver sulfadiazine (p = 0.015) and
by aloe vera extract (p = 0.015). From our data it appears that aloe gel
extracts permit a faster healing of burn wounds.
27_ Beneficial effects of Aloe in wound healing
Heggers J.P.; Pelley R.P.; Robson M.C.
Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston,
TX 77550 USA
PHYTOTHER. RES. (United Kingdom) , 1993, 7/SPEC. ISS. (S48S52)
The therapeutic effects of Aloe vera have been examined in preventing
progressive dermal ischaemia caused by burns, frostbite, electrical injury,
distal dying flap and intraarterial drug abuse. In vivo analysis of these
injuries showed that the mediator of progressive tissue damage was thromboxane
A2 (TxA2). Experimentally Aloe was compared to a variety of antithromboxane
agents to include U38450, a lodoxamide, a lazaroid and Carrington wound
gel. In the burn injury Aloe was comparable to the lodoxamide and lazaroid
with an 82% to 85% tissue survival when compared with the control and
the Carrington wound gel (p = 0.05). Tissue survival in the experimental
frostbite injury was 28.2% when compared with the control (p = 0.05).
Similar results were obtained for the electrical injury, and intra arterial
drug abuse. Clinically burn patients treated with Aloe healed without
tissue loss as did those with frostbite (p = 0.001). In the intraarterial
drug abuse patients Aloe reversed the tissue necrosis. This therapeutic
approach was used to prevent progressive tissue loss in each injury by
actively inhibiting the localized production of TxA2. Aloe not only acts
as a TxA2 inhibitor but maintains a homeostasis within the vascular endothelium
as well as the surrounding tissue.
28_ Aloe vera
Klein A.D.; Penneys N.S.
Department of Dermatology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami,
FL USA
J. AM. ACAD. DERMATOL. (USA) , 1988, 18/4 I (714720)
We review the scientific literature regarding the aloe vera plant and
its products. Aloe vera is known to contain several pharmacologically
active ingredients, including a carboxypeptidase that inactivates bradykinin
in vitro, salicylates, and a substance(s) that inhibits thromboxane formation
in vivo. Scientific studies exist that support an antibacterial and antifungal
effect for substance(s) in aloe vera. Studies and case reports provide
support for the use of aloe vera in the treatment of radiation ulcers
and stasis ulcers in man and burn and frostbite injuries in animals. The
evidence for a potential beneficial effect associated with the use of
aloe vera is sufficient to warrant the design and implementation of well
controlled clinical trials.
29_ Studies of the effect of acemannan on retrovirus infections: clinical
stabilization of feline leukemia virusinfected cats.
Sheets MA; Unger BA; Giggleman GF Jr; Tizard
IR Animal Medical and Surgical Hospital, Irving, TX.
Mol Biother (UNITED STATES) Mar 1991, 3 (1) p415
Feline leukemia is a disease induced by an oncornavirus infection that
inevitably causes clinically affected cats to die. It has been estimated
that 40% of cats are dead within 4 weeks and 70% within 8 weeks of the
onset of clinical symptoms. Acemannan is a complex carbohydrate with both
immunostimulatory and direct antiviral properties. Administration of acemannan
for 6 weeks intraperitoneally to clinically symptomatic cats significantly
improved both the quality of life and the survival rate. Twelve weeks
after initiation of treatment, 71% of treated cats were alive and in good
health.
30_ Biological activity of Aloe vera
Davis R.H.; Leitner M.G.; Russo J.M.; Maro N.P.
Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine, Department of Physiological
Sciences, Philadelphia, PA 19107 USA
MED. SCI. RES. (UK) , 1987, 15/5 (235)
In this study, the authors attempted to show the comparative biological
activity of Aloe vera as measured by standard antiinflammatory tests.
Wound healing was improved 24% in mice by a 100 mg/kg Aloe vera dose whereas
10 mg/kg improved healing 31% in rats. A slightly greater response of
44% was obtained on inhibiting mustard induced edema by 10 mg/kg Aloe
vera. A marked inhibition of 58% PMN infiltration into an inflamed area
by 2 mg/kg aloe was noted. No reduction of granuloma tissue formation
around a cotton pellet under the skin was shown at doses up to 400 mg/kg.
These data suggest that Aloe vera inhibits inflammation and improves wound
healing. Aloe vera probably does not act like a steroid since it was most
effective on acute inflammation and had no effect on granuloma tissue
formation.
31_ Pharmacological studies on a plant lectin Aloctin A. II. Inhibitory
effect of Aloctin A on experimental models of inflammation in rats
Saito H.; Ishiguro T.; Imanishi K.; Suzuki I.
Lab. Ultrastruct. Res., Aichi Cancer Cent. Res. Inst., Nagoya 464 JAPAN
JPN. J. PHARMACOL. (JAPAN) , 1982, 32/1 (139142)
A glycoprotein, Aloctin A, which was isolated from Aloe arborescens Mill,
markedly inhibits adjuvant arthritis in rats and carrageenininduced edema
in rats.
32_ Induction of apoptosis in a macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 by acemannan,
a beta(1,4) acetylated mannan
Ramamoorthy L.; Tizard I.R. L. Ramamoorthy,
Dept. of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A and M University, College Station,
TX 77843 United States
Molecular Pharmacology (United States) , 1998, 53/3 (415421)
Acemannan is a polydispersed beta(1,4)linked acetylated mannan with antiviral
properties. It is an immunomodulator, and studies in our laboratory have
shown that it causes activation of macrophages. In the presence of IFNgamma,
acemannan induced apoptosis in RAW 264.7 cells. These cells exhibited
chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, and laddering characteristic
of apoptosis. The induction of apoptosis by acemannan and IFNgamma does
not seem to be mediated by nitric oxide, since NnitroL arginine methyl
ester, the nitric oxide inhibitor, had no effect. Acemannan in the presence
of IFNgamma also inhibited the expression of bcl2. These results suggest
that acemannan in the presence of IFNgamma induces apoptosis in RAW 264.7
cells through a mechanism involving the inhibition
of bcl2 expression.
33_ Optimizing therapy for inflammatory bowel disease
Robinson M. Dr. M.
Robinson, Oklahoma Found. for Digestive Res., Oklahoma City, OK United
States
American Journal of Gastroenterology (United States) , 1997, 92/12 SUPPL.
(12S17S)
This review focuses on current developments in the major categories of
therapy used in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Conventional
corticosteroids, although a mainstay of the acute treatment of IBD for
many years, have many drawbacks, including a variety of side effects particularly
with chronic use. Budesonide appears to be relatively safe and at least
moderately effective in inducing remission in active distal ulcerative
colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease. Aminosalicylates, both oral and topical,
have proven useful in managing mildtomoderate active UC and mild active
Crohn's disease, as well as in maintaining remission. Data from recent
trials suggest that higher doses of mesalamine are generally more efficacious
than lower doses. In addition, a combination of oral and rectal formulations
may succeed when one route, alone, is not successful. The immunomodulatory
agents azathioprine, 6 mercaptopurine, and methotrexate have been shown
to be effective in the treatment of IBD and are now widely accepted as
valuable parts of the therapeutic armamentarium. Cyclosporine, although
effective, is associated with many toxicities, and patients must be monitored
closely in centers experienced with this agent. Clinical trials of IL10,
IL11, and antiTNFalpha have also shown promise. Antibiotics have been
used empirically for many years in the treatment of IBD. Larger clinical
trials are warranted to explore the potential efficacy of antibiotic therapy.
This has been accomplished with metronidazole in Crohn's disease, and
other antibiotic trials are underway at this time. The investigational
agents acemannan, heparin, and transdermal nicotine have also shown variable
degrees of promise as possible therapies for IBD. Despite the variety
of agents available for the treatment of IBD, none is ideal or universally
accepted. Ongoing research into the wellestablished therapeutic agents,
as well as novel drugs with more precise targets, may contribute to the
design of a more nearly optimal regimen for IBD in the nottoodistant future.
34_ Purification and characterization of bioactivity compound acemannan
from Aloe vera
So Young Lee; Il Whan Ryu; Chang Sub Shim S.Y. Lee, R and D
Center, Kim Jeong Moon Aloe Co., LTD, Cheonan 330880 South Korea
Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy (South Korea) , 1997, 28/2 (6571)
This study was carried out to purify and to characterize various bioactive
material acemannan from Aloe vera. Purified acemannan was mannose (67%)
and acetyl group (23%), and the restof glucose was galactose that consists
of long chain polydispered beta(1, 4) linked mannan polymers. The sugar
and acetyl group in the molecule were linked by molar ratio of 3:1. This
polysaccharide from Aloe vera may provide functional food and potential
drug source with antiviral and immunomodulating properties.
35_ Upregulation of phagocytosis and candidicidal activity of macrophages
exposed to the immunostimulant, acemannan
Stuart R.W.; Lefkowitz D.L.; Lincoln J.A.; Howard K.; Gelderman M.P.;
Lefkowitz S.S.
S.S. Lefkowitz, Department Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University,
Lubbock, TX 79409 USA
International Journal of Immunopharmacology (United Kingdom) , 1997, 19/2
(7582)
Previous studies by these investigators have shown that mannosylated
bovine serum albumin (mBSA) enhances the respiratory burst (RE), phagocytosis,
and killing of Candida albicans by resident murine peritoneal macrophages
(Mphi). Upregulation of the above Mphi functions was associated with binding
of mBSA to the Mphimannose receptor. The present study was done to determine
if the immunostimulant, acemannan prepared from aloe vera, could stimulate
Mphi in a similar manner. Resident peritoneal Mphi collected from C57BL/6
mice were exposed to acemannan for 10 min. The RE was measured using chemiluminescence
and demonstrated approximately a twofold increase above the media controls.
In studies involving phagocytosis, Mphi were exposed to acemannan, washed
and exposed to Candida at a ratio of 1:5. The percent phagocytosis and
Candida killing were determined using fluorescence microscopy. There was
a marked increase in phagocytosis in the treated cultures (45%) compared
to controls (25%). Macrophages exposed to acemannan for 10 min resulted
in ca 38% killing of Candida albicans compared with 05% killing in controls.
If Mphi were incubated with acemannan for 60 min, 98% of the yeast were
killed compared to 05% in the controls. The results of tile present study
indicate that short term exposure of Mphi to acemannan upregulates the
RB, phagocytosis and candidicidal activity. Further studies are needed
to clarify the potential use of this immunostimulant as an antifungal
agent.
36_ Activation of a mouse macrophage cell line by acemannan: The major
carbohydrate fraction from Aloe vera gel
Zhang L.; Tizard I.R.
Dept. of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A and M University, College Station,
TX 77843 USA
Immunopharmacology (Netherlands) , 1996, 35/2 (119128)
Acemannan is the name given to the major carbohydrate fraction obtained
from the gel of the Aloe vera leaf. It has been claimed to have several
important therapeutic properties including acceleration of wound healing,
immune stimulation, anticancer and antiviral effects. However, the biological
mechanisms of these activities are unclear. Because of this wide diversity
of effects, it is believed that they may be exerted through pluripotent
effector cells such as macrophages. The effects of acemannan on the mouse
macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7 cells were therefore investigated. It
was found that acemannan could stimulate macrophage cytokine production,
nitric oxide release, surface molecule expression, and cell morphologic
changes. The production of the cytokines IL6 and TNFalpha were dependent
on the dose of acemannan provided. Nitric oxide production, cell morphologic
changes and surface antigen expression were increased in response to stimulation
by a mixture of acemannan and IFNgamma. These results suggest that acemannan
may function, at least in part, through macrophage activation.
37_ Acemannan, a beta(1,4)acetylated mannan, induces nitric oxide production
in macrophage cell line RAW 264.7
Ramamoorthy L.; Kemp M.C.; Tizard I.R.
Dept. of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A and M University, College Station,
TX 77843 USA
Molecular Pharmacology (USA) , 1996, 50/4 (878884)
Acemannan is a polydispersed beta(1,4)linked acetylated mannan with antiviral
properties. It is an immunomodulator, and studies in our laboratory have
shown that it causes activation of macrophages. Inducible NO synthase
is generally expressed after transcriptional induction and is known to
mediate some of the cytotoxic action of activated macrophages. Acemannan,
in the presence of interferongamma, greatly increased the synthesis of
NO in RAW 264.7 cells. This increase was preceded by increased expression
of mRNA for the inducible form of macrophage NO synthase. Preincubation
with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate inhibited the induction, indicating the
involvement of nuclear factorkappaB. These results suggest that acemannan
causes the activation of macrophages by increasing the level of NO synthase
at the level of transcription.
38_ The effect of Acemannan Immunostimulant in combination with surgery
and radiation therapy on spontaneous canine and feline fibrosarcomas
King G.K.; Yates K.M.; Greenlee P.G.; Pierce K.R.; Ford C.R.; McAnalley
B.H.; Tizard I.R.
Carrington Laboratories, Inc., 1300 E. Rochelle Boulevard, Irving, TX
75235 USA
Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (USA) , 1995, 31/5
(439447)
Eight dogs and five cats with histopathologically confirmed fibrosarcomas
were treated with Acemannan Immunostimulant in combination with surgery
and radiation therapy. These animals had recurring disease that had failed
previous treatment, a poor prognosis for survival, or both. Following
four to seven weekly acemannan treatments, tumor shrinkage occurred in
four (greater than 50%; n = 2) of 12 animals, with tumors accessible to
measurement. A notable increase in necrosis and inflammation was observed.
Complete surgical excision was performed on all animals between the fourth
and seventh week following initiation of acemannan therapy. Radiation
therapy was instituted immediately after surgery. Acemannan treatments
were continued monthly for one year. Seven of the 13 animals remain alive
and tumorfree (range 440+ to 603+ days) with a median survival time of
372 days. The data suggests that Acemannan Immunostimulant may be an effective
adjunct to surgery and radiation therapy in the treatment of canine and
feline fibrosarcomas.
39_ Acemannan containing wound dressing gel reduces radiation induced
skin reactions in C3H mice
Roberts D.B.; Travis E.L. Texas Univ. M. D. Anderson
Can. Ctr., Box 66, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 770304095 USA
International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics (USA) , 1995
, 32/4 (10471052)
Purpose: To determine (a) whether a wound dressing gel that contains
acemannan extracted from aloe leaves affects the severity of radiation
induced acute skin reactions in C3H mice; (b) if so, whether other commercially
available gels such as a personal lubricating jelly and a healing ointment
have similar effects; and (c) when the wound dressing gel should be applied
for maximum effect. Methods and Materials: Male C3H mice received graded
single doses of gamma radiation ranging from 30 to 47.5 Gy to the right
leg. In most experiments, the gel was applied daily beginning immediately
after irradiation. To determine timing of application for best effect,
gel was applied beginning on day 7, 0, or +7 relative to the day of irradiation
(day 0) and continuing for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 weeks. The right inner thigh
of each mouse was scored on a scale of 0 to 3.5 for severity of radiation
reaction from the seventh to the 35th day after irradiation. Dose response
curves were obtained by plotting the percentage of mice that reached or
exceeded a given peak skin reaction as a function of dose. Curves were
fitted by logit analysis and ED50 values, and 95% confidence limits were
obtained. Results: The average peak skin reactions of the wound dressing
gel treated mice were lower than those of the untreated mice at all radiation
doses tested. The ED50 values for skin reactions of 2.02.75 were approximately
7 Gy higher in the wound dressing geltreated mice. The average peak skin
reactions and the ED50 values for mice treated with personal lubricating
jelly or healing ointment were similar to irradiated control values. Reduction
in the percentage of mice with skin reactions of 2.5 or more was greatest
in the groups that received wound dressing gel for at least 2 weeks beginning
immediately after irradiation. There was no effect if gel was applied
only before irradiation or beginning 1 week after irradiation. Conclusion:
Wound dressing gel, but not personal lubricating jelly or healing ointment,
reduces acute radiationinduced skin reactions in C3H mice if applied daily
for at least 2 weeks beginning immediately after irradiation.
40_ Nitric oxide production by chicken macrophages activated by Acemannan,
a complex carebohydrate extracted from Aloe vera
Karaca K.; Sharma J.M.; Nordgren R.
University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of
Pathobiology, St Paul, MN 55108 USA
International Journal of Immunopharmacology (United Kingdom) , 1995, 17/3
(183188)
Cultures of normal chicken spleen cells and HD11 line cells produce nitric
oxide (NO) in response to Acemannan, a complex carbohydrate derived from
the Aloe vera plant. Neither cell type produced detectable amounts of
NO in response to similar concentrations of yeast mannan, another complex
carbohydrate. Nitric oxide production was dose dependent and inhibitable
by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)methylLarginine. In addition,
the production of NO was inhibited by preincubation of ACM with concanavalin
A in a dosedependent marmer. These results suggest that ACMinduced NO
synthesis may be mediated through macrophage mannose receptors, and macrophage
activation may be accouantable for some of the immunomodulatory effects
of ACM in chickens.
41_ A betalinked mannan inhibits adherence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
to human lung epithelial cells
Azghani A.O.; Williams I.; Holiday D.B.; Johnson A.R.
Department of Biochemistry, Univ. of Texas Health Science Center, Tyler,
TX 75710 USA
Glycobiology (United Kingdom) , 1995, 5/1 (3944)
Adherence through carbohydratebinding adhesins is an early step in colonization
of the lung by gram negative organisms, and because published data indicate
that binding involves mannose groups, we tested the ability of a betalinked
acetylmannan (acemannan) to inhibit adherence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
to cultures of human lung epithelial cells. Adherence of radiolabelled
P.aeruginosa to A549 cells (a type II like pneumocyte line) increased
linearly with the duration of the incubation. Acemannan inhibited adherence
of bacteria, and the extent of inhibition was related to the concentration
of the mannan. Inhibition required continued contact between acemannan
and the target epithelial cells; cells washed free of acemannan no longer
discouraged bacterial binding. Comparison of binding between seven different
strains of P.aeruginasa indicated that fewer mucoid than nonmucoid bacteria
adhered, but binding of either phenotype was inhibited by acemannan. Mannose,
methyl alphaDmannopyranoside, methyl betaD mannopyranoside and dextran
did not affect adherence of any of the nonmucoid strains. Mannose inhibited
adherence by one mucoid strain, but not the other, indicating differences
between strains of the same phenotype. Since prior treatment of epithelial
cells with concanavalin A did not affect acemannan induced inhibition
of bacterial adherence, we concluded that the inhibitory effect of acemannan
probably does not involve mannosecontaining receptors.
42_ Complex carbohydrates in development as human pharmaceuticals
Simon P.M.
Neose Pharmaceuticals Inc., 102 Witmer Rd, Horsham, PA 19044 USA
EXPERT OPIN. INVEST. DRUGS (United Kingdom) , 1994, 3/3 (223239)
There are many actual and potential pharmaceutical uses of complex carbohydrates.
These include: direct uses as therapeutic pharmaceutical agents; indirect
use as pharmaceutical excipients and carriers; use as diagnostic agents,
whether for ex vivo testing or in vivo imaging; oligosaccharides as vaccines;
and nutritionals. In addition, complex carbohydrates may be employed in
medical devices and other medical products. This overview will focus attention
on antiadhesive oligosaccharides under investigation in the therapy of
inflammatory and infectious diseases as well as cancer, glycan immune
adjuvants, heparin derived agents for cardiovascular indications, cyclic
oligosaccharides as amphiphilic carrier agents and immunogenic oligosaccharides
as cancer vaccine components. In addition to reviewing pertinent preclinical
research that points toward potential novel therapeutic agents, emphasis
will be placed on compounds currently in clinical development. Chemical
issues that affect the manufacture of therapeutic complex carbohydrates
will also be considered.
43_ Pilot study of the effect of acemannan in cats infected with feline
immunodeficiency virus
Yates K.M.; Rosenberg L.J.; Harris C.K.; Bronstad D.C.; King G.K.; Biehle
G.A.; Walker B.; Ford C.R.; Hall J.E.; Tizard I.R.
Carrington Laboratories, Irving, TX 75062 USA
VET. IMMUNOL. IMMUNOPATHOL. (Netherlands) , 1992, 35/12 (177189)
Acemannan, a complex carbohydrate shown to stimulate interleukin1, tumor
necrosis factor alpha and prostaglandin E2 production by macrophages,
has also demonstrated antiviral activity in vitro against human immunodeficiency
virus, Newcastle disease virus and influenza virus. A pilot study was
undertaken to determine acemannan's effect in 49 feline immunodeficiency
virus (FIV) infected cats with clinical signs of disease (Stage 3, 4 or
5), 23 of which had severe lymphopenia. Cats received acemannan either
by intravenous (Group 1) or subcutaneous (Group 2) injection once weekly
for 12 weeks, or by daily oral (Group 3) administration for 12 weeks.
Upon entry into the study, cats were randomly assigned to one of the three
groups. Laboratory analyses were performed at the beginning of the study
and at Weeks 6 and 12. Cats were allowed to continue with a predetermined
maintenance regimen of acemannan after completing the 12week study. Thirteen
cats died during the course of treatment. Upon necropsy, the most frequent
histopathologic findings were neoplastic, kidney and pancreatic disease.
Friedman's twoway ANOVA test showed no significant differences in efficacy
among groups administered acemannan by the different routes. Therefore,
groups were combined and a signedranks test was used to determine changes
over time. A significant increase was seen in lymphocyte counts (P <
0.001). Neutrophil counts decreased significantly (P = 0.007), as did
incidence of sepsis (P = 0.008). When cats entering with lymphopenia were
analyzed separately, a much greater increase in lymphocyte counts was
noted (235%) compared with nonlymphopenic cats (42%). A survival rate
of 75% was found for all three groups. Thirtysix of 49 animals are alive
519 months postentry. These results suggest that acemannan therapy may
be of significant benefit in FIVinfected cats exhibiting clinical signs
of disease.
44_ Antigen dependent adjuvant activity of a polydispersed beta(1,4)linked
acetylated mannan (acemannan)
Chinnah A.D.; Baig M.A.; Tizard I.R.; Kemp M.C.
Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas
A and M University, College Station, TX 778434467 USA
VACCINE (United Kingdom) , 1992, 10/8 (551557)
The adjuvant properties of a polydispersed beta(1,4)linked acetylated
mannan, acemannan (ACEM), were evaluated. Dayold broiler chicks were randomly
selected and allocated to four flocks (Vac 14). The Vac 1 flock was sham
vaccinated with saline. The Vac 2 flock was vaccinated with an oilbased
vaccine (Breedervac III; Newcastle disease virus (NDV), infectious bursal
disease virus (IBDV) and infectious bronchitis virus). The Vac 3 flock
was vaccinated with a vaccineACEM mixture, and the Vac 4 flock was vaccinated
with vaccine and ACEM at separate anatomical sites. ELISA titres to NDV
and IBDV were determined. The immune response to NDV at 21 days postvaccination
(PV) was significantly enhanced (P less than or equal to 0.05) by the
addition of ACEM to the vaccine, compared with vaccination without ACEM.
Subsequently, the vaccineACEM mixture appeared to suppress the immune
response to NDV. However, at day 35 PV, 95% of the Vac 3 chicks compared
with 90% of the Vac 2 and 89% of the Vac 4 chicks exhibited protective
titres. The response to IBDV differed from that to NDV. At day 21 PV the
immune response to IBDV was essentially the same for all flocks that received
vaccine, i.e. addition of ACEM to the vaccine did not significantly enhance
the immune response; however, it did significantly (P less than or equal
to 0.05) sustain the immune response at days 28 and 35. In addition to
the observed effect on titres to NDV and IBDV, ACEM also had an effect
on flock immunity. ACEM administration at a separate site resulted in
higher protective titres and a narrower titre group distribution. Overall,
this study clearly showed that ACEM exhibits adjuvant properties and that
the adjuvant effect is antigen dependent. It enhanced the immune response
to both NDV and IBDV.
45_ The impact of acemannan on the generation and function of cytotoxic
Tlymphocytes
Womble D.; Helderman J.H.
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Vanderbilt University,
S3223 Medical Center North, Nashville, TN 372322372 USA
IMMUNOPHARMACOL. IMMUNOTOXICOL. (USA) , 1992, 14/12 (6377)
Acemannan, an antiviral agent with immune enhancement capabilities, was
studied for its impact on cytotoxic Tlymphocyte (Tc) function generated
in response to alloantigen. To investigate whether acemannan directly
stimulated the generation of Tc from primary mixed lymphocyte cultures
(MLC), the drug was added at the initiation of the MLC. There was a doserelated,
statistical increase in killer Tcell generation produced by acemannan
in the clinically relevant dose range. The lowest test dose of the drug
(2.6 x 109 M) increased chromium release near twofold; the 2.6 x 108 M
dose gave a maximal 3.5 fold increase in cytotoxic Tcells. To study whether
acemannan enhanced the capacity of Tc once generated to alloantigen to
destroy targets bearing the sensitizing antigens, MLR were established
in the absence of any drug. Acemannan at the two highest doses increased
the functional capacity of Tc to destroy target cells to which they had
been sensitized in the MLR. To control for the possibility that acemannan
was directly cytotoxic to target cells, targets were incubated alone with
drug and without sensitized killer Tcells. No dose of acemannan was found
to be cytotoxic to these cells. In conclusion, acemannan did enhance the
generation of cytotoxic Tcells when added at the initiation of the MLR.
When acemannan was added at the completion of allostimulation, an increase
of almost 50% killing by Tc was also observed. These effects can not be
explained by direct drug related toxicity and suggest a functional correlate
to the previously described immune enhancing properties of the agent.
As this drug is being tested for the treatment of HIV infections, these
data provide at least one immunologic mechanism by which acemannan may
be clinically salutory.
Enhancement of alloresponsiveness of human lymphocytes by acemannan (Carrisyn(TM))
Womble D.; Helderman J.H.
Renal Immunology Laboratory, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical
Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX USA
INT. J. IMMUNOPHARM. (United Kingdom) , 1988, 10/8 (967974)
Healing powers have been imputed as being a feature of the gel from the
aloe vera plant for centuries. The recent isolation of the active ingredient,
acemannan, has made testing of this drug important. Since the drug appears
to enhance monocyte function in other experiments, these studies were
designed to test the capacity of acemannan to enhance immune response
to alloantigen and to test whether the potential enhancement is a monocyte
driven phenomenon. Acemannan did not enhance lymphocyte response to syngeneic
antigens in the mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) but importantly increased
alloantigenic response in a doseresponse fashion (2.6 x 1072.6 x 109 M).
This effect of acemannan was shown to be a specific response and to concur
with concentrations of in vitro acemannan achievable in vivo. A separate
series of mixing experiments demonstrated that acemannan incubation with
monocytes permitted monocyte driven signals to enhance Tcell response
to lectin. It is concluded that acemannan, the active ingredient of the
aloe vera plant, is an important immunoenhancer in that it increases lymphocyte
response to alloantigen. It is suggested that the mechanism involves enhancement
of monocyte release of IL1 under the aegis of alloantigen. This mechanism
may explain in part the recently observed capacity of acemannan to abrogate
viral infections in animal and man.
46_ Prevention of atheromatous heart disease
Agarwal O.P.
482, Sahukara, Bareilly 243 001 UP INDIA
ANGIOLOGY (USA) , 1985, 36/8 (485492)
Five thousand patients of atheromatous heart disease, presented as angina
pectoris, were studied over a period of five years. After adding the 'Husk
of Isabgol' and 'aloe vera' (an indigenous plant known as gheeguarkapaththa)
to the diet, a marked reduction in total serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides,
fasting and post parandial blood sugar level in diabetic patients, total
lipids and also increase in HDL were noted. Simultaneously the clinical
profile of these patients showed reduction in the frequency of anginal
attacks and gradually, the drugs, like verapamil,nifedipine, betablockers
and nitrates, were tapered. The patients most benefitted, were diabetics
(without adding any antidiabetic drug). The exact mechanism of the action
of the above two substances is not known, but it appears, that probably
they act by their high fibre contents. Both these substances need further
evaluation. The most interesting aspect of the study was that no untoward
side effect was noted and all the five thousand patients are surviving
till date.
47_ [Effects of aloe extracts, aloctin A, on gastric secretion and on
experimental gastric lesions in rats]
Saito H; Imanishi K; Okabe S
Yakugaku Zasshi (JAPAN) May 1989, 109 (5) p3359
Effect of aloctin A, glycoprotein isolated from leaves of Aloe arborescens
MILL, on gastric secretion and on acute gastric lesions in rats were examined.
Aloctin A given intravenously dose dependently inhibited the volume of
gastric juice, acid and pepsin output in pylorusligated rats. Aloctin
A given intravenously significantly inhibited the development of Shay
ulcers and indomethacin induced gastric lesions in rats. It also inhibited
waterimmersion stress lesions induced in pylorusligated rats.
48_ Lectins modulate prostaglandin Esub 2 production by rat peritoneal
macrophages
Ohuchi K.; Watanabe M.; Takahashi E.; et al.
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku
University, Aoba, Aramski, Sendai 980 JAPAN
AGENTS ACTIONS (SWITZERLAND) , 1984, 15/34 (419423)
The effect of Aloctin A (Alo A), a lectin having antiinflammatory activities,
on prostaglandin (PG) Esub 2 production by activated rat peritoneal macrophages
was compared with that of concanavalin A (Con A), wheat germ agglutinin
(WGA), pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA) and soybean agglutinin (SBA). Alo
A, WGA, Con A and PSA at 10 mug per ml inhibited PG Esub 2 production.
But SBA, even at a dose of 1 mug per ml, stimulated PG Esub 2 production.
The inhibition by Alo A treatment of the release of radioactivity from
(sup 3H)arachidonic acidlabeled macrophages and the stimulation of this
release by SBA treatment were observed. The uptake of (sup 5sup 1Cr)labeled
sheep red blood cells by the macrophage was inhibited by Alo A, Con A,
and PSA, all at 10 mug per ml and SBA at 1 mug per ml, however, WGA at
10 mug per ml stimulated the uptake of the sheep red blood cells. The
mechanism of the antiinflammatory properties of Alo A was discussed.
49_ Studies on optimal dose and administration schedule of a hematopoietic
stimulatory beta(1,4) linked mannan
Egger S.F.; Brown G.S.; Kelsey L.S.; Yates K.M.; Rosenberg L.J.; Talmadge
J.E.
Department of Pathology/Microbiology, University of Nebraska, Medical
Center, South 42nd Street, Omaha, NE 68198 USA
International Journal of Immunopharmacology (United Kingdom) , 1996, 18/2
(113126)
Several complex carbohydrates have been found to significantly stimulate
hematopoiesis. CARN 750, a polydispersed beta(1,4)linked acetylated mannan
isolated from the Aloe vera plant, has been shown to have activity in
wound repair, to function as a antineoplastic, and to activate macrophages.
We report, herein, the hematoaugmenting properties of CARN 750 and its
optimal dose and timing of administration in an animal model of irradiationinduced
myelosuppression. We observed that subcutaneous injections of 1 mg/animal
of CARN 750 had equal or greater stimulatory activity for white blood
cell (WBC) counts and spleen cellularity as well as on the absolute numbers
of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and platelets than did higher or
lower doses of CARN 750 or an optimal dose of granulocytecolony stimulating
factor (GCSF). Hematopoietic progenitors; measured as interleukin3 supported
colony forming unitsculture (CFUC) and high proliferative potential colonyforming
cells (HPP CFC) assays, were similarly increased by CARN 750 in the spleen
but not in the bone marrow. The frequency of splenic HPPCFCs and absolute
number of splenic HPPCFCs and CFUCs were optimally increased by 1 mg/animal
of CARN 750. In contrast, bone marrow cellularity, frequency and absolute
number of HPPCFCs and CFUCs had as a dosage optimum 2 mg/animal of CARN
750. These parameters were similarly increased by GCSF. In studies to
determine the optimal protocol for the administration of CARN 750 we found
that the hematopoietic activity of CARN 750 increased with the frequency
of administration. The greatest activity in myelosuppressed mice was observed
for all hematopoietic parameters except the platelet number in mice receiving
daily administration of 1 mg/animal of CARN 750 with activity equal to
or greater than GCSF.
Influence of aloe vera on the healing of dermal wounds in diabetic rats
Chithra P.; Sajithlal G.B.; Chandrakasan G. G.
Chandrakasan, Department of Biochemistry, Central Leather Research Institute,
Adyar, Chennai 600 020 India
Journal of Ethnopharmacology (Ireland) , 1998, 59/3 (195201)
The positive influence of Aloe vera, a tropical cactus, on the healing
of fullthickness wounds in diabetic rats is reported. Fullthickness excision/incision
wounds were created on the back of rats, and treated either by topical
application on the wound surface or by oral administration of the Aloe
vera gel to the rat. Wound granulation tissues were removed on various
days and the collagen, hexosamine, total protein and DNA contents were
determined, in addition to the rates of wound contraction and period of
epithelialization. Measurements of tensile strength were made on treated/untreated
incision wounds. The results indicated that Aloe vera treatment of wounds
in diabetic rats may enhance the process of wound healing by influencing
phases such as inflammation, fibroplasia, collagen synthesis and maturation,
and wound contraction. These effects may be due to the reported hypoglycemic
effects of the aloe gel.
50_ Influence of Aloe vera on the glycosaminoglycans in the matrix of
healing dermal wounds in rats
Chithra P.; Sajithlal G.B.; Chandrakasan G. G.
Chandrakasan, Department of Biochemistry, Central Leather Research Institute,
Madras 600 020 India
Journal of Ethnopharmacology (Ireland) , 1998, 59/3 (179186)
The influence of Aloe vera (L.) Burman f. on the glycosaminoglycan (GAG)
components of the matrix in a healing wound was studied. Wound healing
is a dynamic and complex sequence of events of which the major one is
the synthesis of extracellular matrix components. The early stage of wound
healing is characterized by the laying down of a provisional matrix, which
is then followed by the formation of granulation tissue and synthesis
of collagen and elastin. The provisional matrix or the ground substance
consists of GAGs and proteoglycans (PGs), which are proteinGAG conjugates.
In the present work, we have studied the influence of Aloe vera on the
content of GAG and its types in the granulation tissue of healing wounds.
We have also reported the levels of a few enzymes involved in matrix metabolism.
The amount of ground substance synthesized was found to be higher in the
treated wounds, and in particular, hyaluronic acid and dermatan sulphate
levels were increased. The levels of the reported glycohydrolases were
elevated on treatment with Aloe vera, indicating increased turnover of
the matrix. Both topical and oral treatments with Aloe vera were found
to have a positive influence on the synthesis of GAGs and thereby beneficially
modulate wound healing.
51_ Prevention of ultraviolet radiationinduced suppression of accessory
cell function of Langerhans cells by Aloe vera gel components
Chong Kil Lee; Seong Sun Han; Young Keun Mo; Ro Sa Kim; Myung Hee Chung;
Young In Park; Seung Ki Lee; Yeong Shik Kim C.K. Lee,
College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 360765 South
Korea
Immunopharmacology (Netherlands) , 1997, 37/23 (153162)
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 activityguided 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 antiCD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb)primed Tcell
mitogenesis. This UVBsuppressed 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 mAbprimed Tcells, nor did induce proliferation of normal EC.
The activityguided 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 UVBinduced immune suppression
in the skin.
52_ Isolation and characterization of the glycoprotein fraction with
a proliferationpromoting activity on human and hamster cells in vitro
from Aloe vera gel
Yagi A.; Egusa T.; Arase M.; Tanabe M.; Tsuji H.
Japan Planta Medica (Germany) , 1997, 63/1 (1821)
Fractions of leaf gel from Aloe barbadensis Mill. were prepared by gel
permeation using DEAE Sephadex A25, Sepharose 6B, and Sephadex G50 columns.
These were then tested by in vitro assays for proliferation of human normal
dermal and baby hamster kidney cells. The glycoprotein fraction promoted
cell growth, while the neutral polysaccharide fraction did not show any
growth stimulation. Moreover, the polarcolored glycoprotein fraction strongly
inhibited the in vitro assays. An active glycoprotein fraction (protein
82%, carbohydrate 11%) examined on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
(PAGE) and SDSPAGE showed a single band. Its molecular weight was 29 kD
on a Sephadex G50 column and its isoelectric point was pH 6.8. Immunoblotting
after SDSPAGE showed that the glycoprotein was composed of two subunits
(14 kD). Deglycosylation of glycoprotein (Pg212b fraction) by trifluoromethanesulphonic
acid provided a protein band with a molecular weight of 13 kD on SDS PAGE.
The colored glycoprotein fraction was shown on SDSPAGE to be a mixture
with a molecular weight of 18 kD15 kD. It was later hydrolyzed with 10%
H2SO4 to produce phenolic substances.
53_ The preventive and therapeutic potential of the squalene containing
compound, Roidex, on tumor promotion and regression
Desai K.N.; Wei H.; Lamartiniere C.A.
Dept. Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham,
University Station, Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
Cancer Letters (Ireland) , 1996, 101/1 (9396)
Recent scientific evidence has shown free radicals or reactive oxygen
species (ROS) to play an important role in the initiation and progression
of cancer. Many radical scavengers have also been found to help reduce
the attacks by these ROS. Interestingly, the ROS scavengers that have
been investigated are naturally occurring compounds such as vitamins C
and E. Roidex is a formulation of squalene, vitamin A, vitamin E, and
aloe vera. It was our goal to investigate whether Roidex was able to prevent
the development of chemically induced cancer and to cause regression of
any tumors already formed in a mouse skin model. In the prevention study,
skin tumors were initiated in 50 female CD1 mice with 7,12 dimethylbenz(a)anthracene
(DMBA) and promoted with 12Otetradecanoylp horbol13acetate (TPA). The
mice were treated with either mineral oil, 5% squalene, or Roidex. At
the end of the prevention study, there was a 33.34% incidence of tumors
(multiplicity of 1.40) in the mineral oiltreatment group, 26.67% (multiplicity
of 1.46) and 20.00% (multiplicity of 0.467) in the 5% squalene and Roidex
groups, respectively. The tumor regression study involved the selection
of mice with tumors and possible regression of these tumors with Roidex
treatment. There was a regression of 33.34% of the tumors in the Roidextreated
group (39 tumors to 26 tumors) compared to the nontreated group whose
tumors regressed only 3.44% (29 tumors to 28 tumors).
54_ Wound healing effects of aloe gel and other topical antibacterial
agents on rat skin
Heggers J.P.; Kucukcelebi A.; Stabenau C.J.; Ko F.; Broemeling L.D.; Robson
M.C.
Dept Surg Plastic/Microbiol/Immunol., Univ. Texas Medical Branch/Shriners,
Burns Institute, Galveston, TX 77550 USA
Phytotherapy Research (United Kingdom) , 1995, 9/6 (455457)
The effects of topical antibacterials were studied in an acute wound
healing model. SpragueDawley rats after appropriate anaesthesia received
four 1.5 cm2 dorsal defects through the skin and panniculus carnosus.
Skin defects were treated for 14 days with 2% mupirocin ointment, 1% clindamycin
cream, 1% silver sulfadiazine cream+Aloe vera gel, and silver sulfadiazine
combined with Aloe gel. An untreated group served as controls. Each group
was comprised of 10 animals each to achieve statistical significance.
Wound closure rate was assessed by serial planimetry. Following healing,
the breaking strength of each resultant scar was determined. Wound halflives
and overall healing rates were calculated by regressing the log of the
areas of all wounds over time. Overall healing rates of all the treated
groups were significantly different compared with control group (p<0.05).
The Aloe group had the shortest halflife and healed faster than the control
group. All the other treated groups had no longer halflives when compared
with the control group. While silver sulfadiazine+Aloe increased the breaking
strength of the healed wound, Aloe alone did not, but demonstrated an
increase over the control. Topical Aloe significantly enhances the rate
of wound healing and when combined with silver sulfadiazine reverses the
wound retardant effect observed with silver sulfadiazine. Clindamycin
and mupirocin significantly delay wound closure. However mupirocin enhanced
the breaking strength of the wound.
55_ Antiinflammatory and wound healing properties of Aloe vera
Udupa S.L.; Udupa A.L.; Kulkarni D.R.
Department of Biochemistry, Kasturba Medical College, 576119 Manipal,
Karnataka India
FITOTERAPIA (Italy) , 1994, 65/2 (141145)
The fresh juice of the indigenous drug A. vera (0.2 ml/100 g, i.p.) was
studied for its antiinflammatory and wound healing properties in rats.
Antiinflammatory action was studied by observing percent reduction in
carrageenininduced paw oedema at 3 h. Wound healing effects were studied
on incision (skin breaking strength), excision (percent wound contraction
and epithelisation time) and dead space (granuloma breaking strength and
biochemical parameters) wound models. A. vera showed significant anti
inflammatory activity in acute inflammatory model without any significant
effect on chronic inflammation. Significant increase in breaking strength
(skin and granuloma tissue), enhanced wound contraction and decreased
epithelisation period were observed. An increase in lysyl oxidase activity
and mucopolysaccharide content were also seen. This drug could therefore
increase tensile strength by increasing crosslinking in collagen and interactions
with the ground substance.
56_ Potential reversal of chronological and photoaging of the skin by
topical application of natural substances
Danhof I.E.
North Texas Research Laboratory, 222 SW 2nd St., Grand Prairie, TX 75051
USA
PHYTOTHER. RES. (United Kingdom) , 1993, 7/SPEC. ISS. (S53S56)
Aging changes in the skin, in which degenerative changes exceed regenerative
changes, are characterized by thinning and wrinkling of the epidermis
together with the appearance of lines, creases, crevices and furrows,
especially accentuated in lines of facial expression. These changes are
brought about both by chronological (genetically determined) and photo
(solar radiationdetermined) factors. The reason for the readily apparent
surface morphological alterations is found in changes in the underlying
dermis characterized by the loss of fascicular and soluble collagen and
elastin fibres, with lessened support of epidermal layers, and lessened
circulatory perfusion. Many socalled 'antiaging' actions of topicallyapplied
materials are nothing more than transient hydrational/moisturizing effects,
which, while lessening the prominence of undesirable surface defects and
blemishes, do nothing to change the dermal losses. True 'antiaging' actions
would require evidence for the return toward normal of the regenerative/degenerative
balance exemplified by increased collagen and elastin synthesis. Evidence
is accruing that four groups of topically applied substances, namely,
(a) nonsaponifiable fractions of avocado and soybean oils, (b) vitamin
A derivatives, (c) alphahydroxy acids (AHAs), and (d) extracts of Aloe
vera, possess activities which reverse the degenerative skin changes seen
with aging by stimulating the synthesis of collagen and elastin fibres,
thereby restoring toward normal the regenerative/degenerative equilibrium.
57_ The stimulation of postdermabrasion wound healing with stabilized
aloe vera gelpolyethylene oxide dressing
Fulton J.E. Jr.
The Acne Research Institute, 1587 Monrovia Street, Newport Beach, CA 92663
USA
J. DERMATOL. SURG. ONCOL. (USA) , 1990, 16/5 (460467)
Fullface dermabrasion provided an ideal opportunity to document the effects
of dressings on wound healing management. Following the procedure, the
abraded face was divided in half. One side was treated with the standard
polyethylene oxide gel wound dressings. The other side was treated with
a polyethylene oxide gel dressing saturated with stabilized aloe vera.
The polyethylene oxide dressing provided an excellent matrix for the release
of aloe vera gel during the initial 5 days of wound healing. By 2448 hours
there was dramatic vasoconstriction and accompanying reduction in edema
on the aloetreated side. By the third to fourth day there was less exudate
and crusting at the aloe site, and by the fifth to sixth day the reepithelialization
at the aloe site was complete. Overall, wound healing was approximately
72 hours faster at the aloe site. This acceleration in wound healing is
important to reduce bacterial contamination, subsequent keloid formation,
and/or pigmentary changes. The exact mechanism of acceleration of wound
healing by aloe vera is unknown.
Partial purification and some properties of an antibacterial compound
from Aloe vera
Levin H.; Hazenfratz R.; Friedman J.; Palevitch D.; Perl M.
Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50 250
Israel
PHYTOTHER. RES. (United Kingdom) , 1988, 2/2 (6769)
Aqueous or ethanolic extracts of Aloe leaves were examined for antibacterial
properties. The crude extrudes strongly stimulated bacterial growth. Separation
of various fractions by thin layer chromatography (TLC) resulted in a
fraction which inhibited the growth of Bacillus subtilis. A concomitant
examination of protein and nucleic acid synthesis in B. subtilis in the
presence of the inhibitory compound indicated that the plant extract inhibits
primarily nucleic acid synthesis, after which protein synthesis is also
inhibited. The inhibitor seemed to be present in all examined Aloe species
but at different concentrations. On a dry weight basis, the inhibitory
effect was equally distributed between the skin and the gel fraction.
58_ Cutaneous tissue repair: Practical implications of current knowledge.
II Reed B.R.; Clark R.A.F.
Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center,
Denver, CO 80262 USA
J. AM. ACAD. DERMATOL. (USA) , 1985, 13/6 (919941)
This article reviews the scientific basis for the certain factors that
delay wound repair in the clinical setting. A brief history of wound healing
is given, followed by a discussion of endogenous local factors (bacterial
infection, hypoxia, foreign body, and desiccation) and endogenous systemic
factors (nutritional deficiencies, aging, coagulation disorders, and the
EhlersDanlos syndromes) associated with poor wound repair. Also reviewed
are the mechanisms by which exogenously administered agents (glucocorticoids,
antineoplastic agents, and anticoagulants) may delay healing. Commonly
used topical antimicrobials, their spectrum of activity, and evidence
of effects on wound healing are examined. Finally, properties of commercially
available wound coverings and wound care in the future are discussed.
59_ Pathophysiology of inadvertent intraarterial drug injection injuries
Smith D.J. Jr.; Zachary L.S.; Heggers J.P.; Robson M.C.
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery,
Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201 USA
SURG. FORUM (USA) , 1985, VOL. 36 (578580)
Inadvertent injection of drugs intraarterially produces a welldefined
clinical syndrome whose pathophysiology remains unclear. Distal necrosis,
endarteritis, and an intense inflammatory reaction of surrounding tissues
results in a progressive ischemic injury with eventual tissue loss. Although
vasospasm and particulate embolization of end arteries are the two most
commonly accepted theories, neither adequately explains the intense inflammatory
reaction and swelling in the adjacent tissue. Numerous methods of treatment
have been advocated based on these theories, and none have proven effective.
The progressive nature of this injury is similar to the progressive injury
seen in the burn wound, frostbite, and the distal dying flap. Thromboxane,
a vasoconstrictor and platelet aggregator, has been found to be a central
mediator in these injuries. Blockade of thromboxane production with specific
or nonspecific antithromboxane agents had led to improved tissue survival
in experimental and clinical studies. This study was designed to determine
the role of thromboxane in intraarterial drug injections and to determine
if blockade of thromboxane with specific or nonspecific blocking agents
would result in increased tissue survival.
60_ Thromboxane inhibitors for the prevention of progressive dermal ischemia
due to the thermal injury
Heggers J.P.; Robson M.C.; Zachary L.S.
Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI USA
J. BURN CARE REHABIL. (USA) , 1985, 6/6 (466468)
Progressive dermal ischemia resulting from a burn injury can be prevented
by topical application of antithromboxane compounds. Using the Zawacki
burn model, two experimental thromboxane synthetase inhibitors, UK 38485
and U63557A, were each mixed in a pharmaceutical cream base and compared
with a known phospholipase inhibitor, methylprednisolone acetate, and
two known thromboxane synthetase inhibitors, imidazole and an Aloe vera
preparation. Control animals received no treatment. Comparative biopsies
were examined by the peroxidaseantiperoxidase procedure for the presence
or absence of thromboxane. UK 38485 and U63557A as topical therapeutic
creams inhibited thromboxane production in the burn and were equal to
or better than the two known antithromboxane inhibitors. Longitudinal
studies showed that both UK 38485 and U63557A reversed progressive dermal
ischemia and that healing occurred within three weeks postburn, comparable
to burns treated with imidazole and A. vera.
61_ Frostbite injuries: A rational approach based on the pathophysiology
McCauley R.L.; Hing D.N.; Robson M.C.; Heggers J.P.
Sect. Plast. Reconstr. Surg., Univ. Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637 USA
J. TRAUMA (USA) , 1983, 23/2 (143147)
The breakdown products of arachidonic acid have been implicated as mediators
of progressive dermal ischemia in both cold and thermal injuries. Increased
tissue survival can be demonstrated experimentally with the preservation
of the dermal microcirculation by using antiprostaglandin agents and thromboxane
inhibitors. Thirtyeight consecutive patients (28 males and 10 females
aged 2 mo to 46 yr) with frostbite injuries were treated at the University
of Chicago's Burn Center in January 1982 with a protocol designed to decrease
the production of thromboxane locally and prostaglandins systemically.
All patients recovered without significant tissue loss. The average hospital
stay was 5.6 days for acute injuries and 6.9 days for subacute injuries.
62_ Aloe vera (gel) cream as a topical treatment for outpatient burns
Heck E.; Head M.; Nowak D.; et al.
Dept. Surg., Univ. Texas Hlth Sci. Cent., Dallas, Tex. USA
BURNS (ENGLAND) , 1981, 7/4 (291294)
The objectives in the use of topical agents in burn therapy are bacterial
control and relief of pain. In this study a commonly discussed 'home remedy'
now commercially available is compared with a widely used prescription
agent in the control of bacterial flora in outpatient burn wounds. Additionally,
the study examines healing times in the two groups for any demonstrated
effect.
63_ Hematopoietic augmentation by a beta(1,4)linked mannan
Egger S.F.; Brown G.S.; Kelsey L.S.; Yates K.M.; Rosenberg L.J.; Talmadge
J.E.
USA Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy (Germany) , 1996, 43/4 (195205)
CARN 750 (injectable acemannan) is a polydispersed beta(1,4)linked
acetylated mannan isolated from the Aloe barbadensis plant. It has multiple
therapeutic properties including activity in wound repair and as a
biological agent for the treatment of neoplasia in animals as well as
the
ability to activate macrophages. We report herein that CARN 750 directly
or
indirectly has significant hematoaugmenting properties. We observed that
the subcutaneous administration of CARN 750 significantly increases splenic
and peripheral blood cellularity, as well as hematopoietic progenitors
in
the spleen and bone marrow as determined by the interleukin3responsive
colonyforming unit culture assay and the highproliferativepotential
colonyformingcell (HPPCFC) assay (a measure of primitive hematopoietic
precursors) in myelosuppressed (7 Gy) C57BL/6 mice. The greatest
hematopoietic effect was observed following sublethal irradiation in mice
receiving 1 mg CARN 750/animal, with less activity observed at higher
or
lower doses. Further, CARN 750, following daily injection, has activity
equal to or greater than the injection of an optimal dose of
granulocytecolonystimulating factor (GCSF) in myelosuppressed mice. In
this comparison, significantly greater activity was observed in the splenic
and peripheral blood cellularity, and in the frequency and absolute number
of splenic HPPCFC as compared to the mice receiving GCSF at 3
microg/animal. CARN 750, when administered to myelosuppressed animals,
decreased the frequency of lymphocytes with a concomitant significant
increase in the frequency of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). However,
owing to the increased cellularity, a significant increase in the absolute
number of PMN, lymphocytes, monocytes and platelets was observed,
suggesting activity on multiple cell lineages. The latter is the primary
difference in activity as compared to GCSF which has activity
predominantly on PMN.
64_ Arch Inst Pasteur Madagascar 1982;50(1):22756
[Immunomodulating properties of an extract isolated and partially purified
from Aloe vahombe. 3.Study of antitumoral properties and contribution
to the chemical nature and active principle]. [Article in French]
Ralamboranto L, Rakotovao LH, Le Deaut JY, Chaussoux D, Salomon JC, Fournet
B, Montreuil J, RakotonirinaRandriambeloma PJ, Dulat C, Coulanges P.
An immunomodulator fraction (Alva) extracted from an endemic plant, in
the
south of Madagascar, the Aloe vahombe, significantly protects mice against
bacterial, parasitic and fungal infections. Wishing to verify whether
the
fraction Alva was active in tumour reduction, we studied its effect on
the
development of experimental fibrosarcoma and melano |