Anti-inflammatory effects of aloe vera gel in human colorectal mucosa in vitro.
BACKGROUND
Oral aloe vera gel is widely used by patients with inflammatory bowel disease and is under therapeutic evaluation for this condition.


OBJECTIVE
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Centre for Adult and Paediatric Gastroenterology, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Science, Barts and the London, Queen Mary School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK.
L
L
Langmead
R J
RJ
Makins
D S
DS
Rampton
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000504:Aloe; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015777:Eicosanoids / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000378:metabolism; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015777:Eicosanoids; D005782:Gels; D016209:Interleukin-8; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species