Anti-inflammatory effects of aloe vera gel in human colorectal mucosa in vitro
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Published on: January 5, 2017
L Langmead1, R J Makins, D S Rampton
1Centre for Adult and Paediatric Gastroenterology, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Science, Barts and the London, Queen Mary School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK.
Background:
Oral aloe vera gel is widely used by patients with inflammatory bowel disease and is under therapeutic evaluation for this condition.
Aim:
To assess the effects of aloe vera in vitro on the production of reactive oxygen metabolites, eicosanoids and interleukin-8, all of which may be pathogenic in inflammatory bowel disease.
Methods:
The anti-oxidant activity of aloe vera was assessed in two cell-free, radical-generating systems and by the chemiluminescence of incubated colorectal mucosal biopsies. Eicosanoid production by biopsies and interleukin-8 release by CaCo2 epithelial cells in the presence of aloe vera were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results:
Aloe vera gel had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on reactive oxygen metabolite production; 50% inhibition occurred at 1 in 1000 dilution in the phycoerythrin assay and at 1 in 10-50 dilution with biopsies. Aloe vera inhibited the production of prostaglandin E2 by 30% at 1 in 50 dilution (P = 0.03), but had no effect on thromboxane B2 production. The release of interleukin-8 by CaCo2 cells fell by 20% (P < 0.05) with aloe vera diluted at 1 in 100, but not at 1 in 10 or 1 in 1000 dilutions.
Conclusion:
The anti-inflammatory actions of aloe vera gel in vitro provide support for the proposal that it may have a therapeutic effect in inflammatory bowel disease.
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