Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of aloe vera in rats with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

BACKGROUND Aloe vera exerts several biological activities, such as, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. It was recently shown to reduce insulin resistance and triglyceride level. We hypothesized that aloe vera would have beneficial effects in alleviating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH) in rats.AIM To examine the therapeutic effects of aloe vera in NASH rats.METHODS All rats were randomly divided into 3 groups(n = 6 in each group). Rats in the control group were fed ad libitum with a standard diet for 8 wk. Rats in the NASH group were fed ad libitum with a high-fat high-fructose diet(HFHFD) for 8 wk. Rats in the aloe vera group were fed ad libitum with a HFHFD and aloe vera in dimethylsulfoxide(50 mg/kg) by gavage daily for 8 wk. Liver samples were collected at the end of the treatment period.RESULTS Hepatic malondialdehyde(MDA) levels increased significantly in the NASH group as compared with the control group(377 ± 77 nmol/mg vs 129 ± 51 nmol/mg protein, respectively, P 0.001). Glutathione(GSH) levels were significantly lower in the NASH group than the control group(9 ± 2 nmol/mg vs 24 ± 8 nmol/mg protein, respectively, P = 0.001). The expression of interleukin-18(IL-18), nuclear factor-kappa β, and caspase-3 increased, while peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma decreased in the NASH group compared with the controls. Following aloe vera administration, MDA levels decreased(199 ± 35 nmol/mg protein) and GSH increased(18 ± 4 nmol/mg protein) markedly. Steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning, lobular inflammation and increased hepatocyte apoptosis were observed in the NASH group. Aloe vera treatment attenuated these changes in liver histology.CONCLUSION Aloe vera attenuated oxidative stress, hepatic inflammation and hepatocyte apoptosis, thus improving liver pathology in rats with NASH.     

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

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

芦荟抗菌作用与蒽醌化合物的关系

目的 :分析芦荟抗菌作用与蒽醌化合物含量的关系 ,比较芦荟大黄素和芦荟苷的抗菌作用 ,探讨糖基取代结构对芦荟苷抗菌活性的影响。方法 :利用琼脂扩散法分析皂质芦荟叶皮提取物、芦荟大黄素和芦荟苷对 3种革兰氏阴性菌、2种革兰氏阳性菌的抑菌活性 ,利用扫描电镜技术分析了芦荟苷对大肠杆菌的作用。结果 :芦荟的抗菌作用与蒽醌化合物的含量呈正相关性。芦荟苷 (1g·L^-1)具有较强的抗菌活性 [抑菌直径大于 (7.1±0.15)mm] ,对革兰氏阳性菌的抗性高于革兰氏阴性菌。芦荟大黄素的抗菌活性较弱。芦荟苷能够改变细胞的形态 ,破坏细胞结构。结论 :蒽醌化合物是芦荟中的抗菌成分 ,芦荟苷是主要抗菌有效成分之一 ,葡萄糖基取代结构增强了其侵入细胞外被和杀菌的能力。     

库拉索芦荟多糖对小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞的体外激活作用

 目的　研究库拉索芦荟多糖对小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞的激活作用。方法　用25,50,100,200,400μg·mL^-1的库拉索芦荟多糖体外诱导小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞48h ,测定细胞内乳酸脱氢酶、酸性磷酸酶、精氨酸酶活性及释放的TNF-α和IL-1含量。结果　库拉索芦荟多糖能上调腹腔巨噬细胞内乳酸脱氢酶、酸性磷酸酶和精氨酸酶活性,并能显著诱导腹腔巨噬细胞表达TNF-α和IL-1,增强吞噬中性红能力。结论　库拉索芦荟多糖对小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞具有激活作用。     

Therapeutic approach by Aloe vera in experimental model of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that leads to an inflammatory demyelination, axonal damage, and progressive neurologic disability that affects ～2.5 million people worldwide. The aim of the present research was to test the therapeutic effect of Aloe vera in experimental model of MS. All experiments were conducted on C57BL/6 male mice aged 6–8 weeks. To induce the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), 250 µg of the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35–55 peptide emulsified in complete freund’s adjuvant was injected subcutaneously on day 0 over two flank areas. In addition, 200?ng of pertussis toxin in 100 µL phosphate buffered saline was injected intraperitoneally on days 0 and 2. The therapeutic protocol was carried out intragastrically using 120?mg/kg/day Aloe vera from 7 days before to 21 days after EAE induction. The mice were killed 21 days after EAE induction. The brains of mice were removed for histological analysis and their isolated splenocytes were cultured. The results indicated that treatment with Aloe vera caused a significant reduction in severity of the disease in experimental model of MS. Histological analysis showed 3?±?2 plaques in Aloe vera-treated mice compared with 5?±?1 plaques in control group. The density of mononuclear infiltration in the CNS of Aloe vera-treated mice (500?±?200) was significantly less in comparison to 700?±?185 cells in control group. Moreover, the serum level of nitric oxide in treatment group was significantly less than control animals. The level of interferon-γ in cell culture supernatant of treated mice splenocytes was lower than control group, whereas decrease in serum level of interleukin-10 in treatment group was not significant in comparison with control mice. These data indicate that Aloe vera therapy can attenuate the disease progression in experimental model of MS.     

Effect of Aloe vera. on Rat Pulp Tissue

Abstract

Aloe vera. L. (Aloeaceae) has been extensively studied for anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cellular regeneration properties. This work evaluated in vivo. the effects of powder of freeze-dried Aloe vera. on rat pulp tissue. Pulp tissue was mechanically exposed to Aloe vera., and it was evaluated at 1 to 30 days after the procedure by histopathologic examination. A predominant acute-moderate inflammatory infiltrate was observed in the Aloe vera.–treated group 1 to 7 days after treatment. At 14 to 30 days, pulp tissue took a normal pattern when comparing Aloe vera. treatment with the Ca(OH)₂ treatment; it was found that both treatment groups stimulated reparative dentin and the formation of complete bridge. Strong superficial necrosis was detected exclusively for Ca(OH)₂. It seems evident that application of Aloe vera. in direct contact with the exposed pulp has acceptable biocompatibility and can lead to tertiary bridge formation.     

Aloe vera affects changes induced in pulmonary tissue of mice caused by cigarette smoke inhalation

This study was undertaken to determine the influence of Aloe vera (AV) on changes induced in pulmonary tissue of cigarette smoke (CS) inhaling mice. CS inhalation for 4 weeks caused pulmonary damage as evident by histoarchitectural alterations and enhanced serum and tissue lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities. CS inhalation also led to increased mucin production as revealed by mucicarmine and Alcian Blue‐Periodic Acid Schiff (AB‐PAS) staining. Studies on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (balf) of CS exposed animals revealed structural changes in phospholipids and increase in surface tension when compared with control counterparts. These changes were accompanied by enhanced nitric oxide (NO) levels, citrulline levels, peroxidative damage, and differential modulation of antioxidant defense system. AV administration (seven weeks, 500 mg/kg b.w. daily) to CS inhaling mice led to modulation of CS induced pulmonary changes as revealed by lesser degree of histoarchitectural alterations, lesser mucin production, decreased NO levels, citrulline levels, peroxidative damage, and serum LDH activity. AV treatment to CS inhaling mice was associated with varying response to antioxidant defense system, however balf of CS + AV treated animals did not exhibit appreciable changes when compared with that of CS exposed animals. These observations suggest that AV has the potential to modulate CS induced changes in the pulmonary tissue which could have implications in management of CS associated pulmonary diseases, however, further investigations are required to explore its complete mechanism of action. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 999–1013, 2015.     

Effect of aloe vera mouthwash on dental plaque and gingivitis indices in children: A randomized controlled clinical trial

BackgroundThere is a tendency nowadays to encourage the use of natural substances in dentistry. Aloe vera is one of these substances, which has recently gained great importance in clinical research.ObjectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of Aloe vera mouthwash in improving plaque, gingival and gingival bleeding indices in children.Materials and methodsThe study sample consisted of (17) children [age: (8) to (12) years]. The crossover design was applied, which means that the three types of mouthwashes (experimental “Aloe vera”, positive control “chlorhexidine”, and negative control “placebo”) would be used for all participants, with a washout period of (12) days. A special plaque guard was fabricated to facilitate localized plaque accumulation for (3) days. After that period, the mouthwashes were applied for (5) days. Plaque, gingival and gingival bleeding indices were studied before plaque accumulation (T0), after plaque accumulation (T1), and after applying the mouthwashes (T2). The values of plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI) and gingival bleeding index (GBI) were measured at each studied time point (T0, T1, and T2). Then, the differences between the values at the beginning of the use of each type of the mouthwashes and at the end of the period of there use were compared.ResultsThe results showed the efficacy of Aloe vera mouthwash in improving plaque, gingival and gingival bleeding indices, which was similar to chlorhexidine mouthwash effectiveness when both compared to the placebo mouthwash.ConclusionsThe use of Aloe vera mouthwash is effective in improving oral health and preventing gingivitis.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of auxiliary chemical substances and natural extracts on Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis in root canals

Objective:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of auxiliary chemical substances and natural extracts on Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis inoculated in root canals.

Material and Methods:

Seventy-two human tooth roots were contaminated with C. albicans and E. faecalis for 21 days. The groups were divided according to the auxiliary chemical substance into: G1) 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), G2) 2% chlorhexidine gel (CHX), G3) castor oil, G4) glycolic Aloe vera extract, G5) glycolic ginger extract, and G6) sterile saline (control). The samples of the root canal were collected at different intervals: confirmation collection, at 21 days after contamination; 1^st collection, after instrumentation; and 2^nd collection, seven days after instrumentation. Microbiological samples were grown in culture medium and incubated at 37º C for 48 hours.

Results:

The results were submitted to the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn (5%) statistical tests. NaOCl and CHX completely eliminated the microorganisms of the root canals. Castor oil and ginger significantly reduced the number of CFU of the tested bacteria. Reduction of CFU/mL at the 1^st and 2^nd collections for groups G1, G2, G3 and G4 was greater in comparison to groups G5 and G6.

Conclusion:

It was concluded that 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 2% chlorhexidine gel were more effective in eliminating C. albicans and E. faecalis, followed by the castor oil and glycolic ginger extract. The Aloe vera extract showed no antimicrobial activity.