title: In Vivo skin hydration and anti-erythema effects of Aloe vera, Aloe ferox and Aloe marlothii gel materials after single and multiple applications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the skin hydrating and anti-erythema activity of gel materials from Aloe marlothii A. Berger and A. ferox Mill. in comparison to that of Aloe barbadensis Miller (Aloe vera) in healthy human volunteers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Aqueous solutions of the polisaccharidic fractions of the selected aloe leaf gel materials were applied to the volar forearm skin of female subjects. The hydration effect of the aloe gel materials were measured with a Corneometer(®) CM 825, Visioscan(®) VC 98 and Cutometer(®) dual MPA 580 after single and multiple applications. The Mexameter(®) MX 18 was used to determine the anti-erythema effects of the aloe material solutions on irritated skin areas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The A. vera and A. marlothii gel materials hydrated the skin after a single application, whereas the A. ferox gel material showed dehydration effects compared to the placebo. After multiple applications all the aloe materials exhibited dehydration effects on the skin. Mexameter(®) readings showed that A. vera and A. ferox have anti-erythema activity similar to that of the positive control group (i.e. hydrocortisone gel) after 6 days of treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The polysaccharide component of the gel materials from selected aloe species has a dehydrating effect on the skin after multiple applications. Both A. vera and A. ferox gel materials showed potential to reduce erythema on the skin similar to that of hydrocortisone gel.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
authors.forename: Lizelle T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.affiliation: Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
authors.forename: Jeanetta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: du Plessis
authors.affiliation: Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
authors.forename: Minja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gerber
authors.affiliation: Centre for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
authors.forename: Sterna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: van Zyl
authors.affiliation: Centre for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
authors.forename: Banie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Boneschans
authors.affiliation: Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
authors.forename: Josias H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hamman
keywords: Aloe ferox; Aloe marlothii; Aloe vera; Anti-erythema; herbs; skin hydration