Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Development and Characterization of Fusidic Acid-Loaded Alginate-Aloe vera Based Hydrogel Film
04:09

Development and Characterization of Fusidic Acid-Loaded Alginate-Aloe vera Based Hydrogel Film

Published on: December 13, 2024

Inhibition of infectious diseases by components from Aloe vera

Norimitsu Tamura1, Tadashi Yoshida, Kazuhiro Miyaji

  • 1Division of Agriscience and Bioscience, Institute of Symbiotic Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry
|April 9, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Pre-administering an aloe sample enhanced the elimination of Escherichia coli K-12 in mice. Aloe stimulates the host defense mechanism, particularly macrophage activity, to combat infections.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • * Peritoneal infections caused by Escherichia coli K-12 pose a significant health risk.
  • * Early intervention is crucial for effective management of bacterial infections.
  • * Macrophages play a vital role in the host defense against pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To investigate the effect of an aloe sample on the early-stage elimination of Escherichia coli K-12.
  • * To explore the impact of aloe on the host defense mechanism, specifically macrophage activity.

Main Methods:

  • * BALB/c mice were pre-administered with an aloe sample.
  • * Mice were subsequently infected with Escherichia coli K-12.
  • * The peritoneal cavity was analyzed at 48 hours post-infection to assess bacterial load and macrophage activity.

Main Results:

  • * Pre-administration of the aloe sample significantly improved the elimination of Escherichia coli K-12 from the peritoneal cavity within 48 hours.
  • * Aloe administration was associated with enhanced phagocytic and killing activities of macrophages.

Conclusions:

  • * Aloe samples demonstrate potential in inhibiting infectious diseases by bolstering the host's innate immune system.
  • * Aloe's immunomodulatory effects, particularly on macrophages, offer a promising avenue for developing novel therapeutic strategies against bacterial infections.

More Related Videos

Inhibition of Aspergillus flavus Growth and Aflatoxin Production in Transgenic Maize Expressing the α-amylase Inhibitor from Lablab purpureus L.09:21

Inhibition of Aspergillus flavus Growth and Aflatoxin Production in Transgenic Maize Expressing the α-amylase Inhibitor from Lablab purpureus L.

Published on: February 15, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Defense Mechanism Against Infection01:26

Defense Mechanism Against Infection

Natural flora, body system defenses, and inflammation are natural barriers of the body against infectious agents regardless of previous exposure. Normal floras of the human body refer to the microbial population that colonizes the skin and mucous membranes.
In addition, many body organ systems have unique defenses against infection. The skin is an intact, multilayered surface preventing invasion by microorganisms unless impaired. Mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and eyelids are barriers...
Antimicrobial Proteins01:23

Antimicrobial Proteins

Antimicrobial proteins are important components of the immune system. They aid the body in combating pathogens by either killing them directly or hindering their replication processes. Four main types of antimicrobial substances are interferons, the complement system, iron-binding proteins, and antimicrobial proteins.
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis01:30

Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis

Protein synthesis is indispensable for viral replication, as viruses lack the cellular machinery required for this process and must hijack the host's translational apparatus. In response, host cells deploy a critical innate immune defense involving interferons, specialized cytokines that play a central role in inhibiting viral propagation.Upon viral detection, infected cells release interferons that bind to receptors on adjacent uninfected cells, activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and...
Surface Membrane Barriers01:18

Surface Membrane Barriers

The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
Infection01:20

Infection

When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
Inhibitors Of Virion Release01:25

Inhibitors Of Virion Release

Viral replication and dissemination rely on efficient mechanisms for host cell entry, genome replication, assembly, and release. Influenza viruses, such as types A and B, are negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses with a segmented genome, that depend on two critical surface glycoproteins to carry out these processes: hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). HA initiates infection by binding to sialic acid residues on the surface of host epithelial cells, facilitating receptor-mediated...