title: Effects of Aloe barbadensis Mill. extract (AVH200®) on human blood T cell activity in vitro.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aloe barbadensis Mill. (Aloe vera) is a widely used medicinal plant well reputed for its diverse therapeutic applications. It has been used for thousands of years in folk medicine to treat various conditions and the Aloe vera gel has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory as well as immunostimulatory and immunomodulatory properties. However, the mode of action is still unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was determine the effects of two well-defined A. barbadensis Mill. extracts AVH200® and AVE200 on human blood T cells in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy donors were stimulated polyclonally in the presence or absence of AVH200® and AVE200. The T cell phenotype was investigated by flow cytometry, cell proliferation was determined by CFSE dye and thymidine assay, respectively and cytokine secretion was determined by MSD® Multi-Spot Assay system and ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The presence of AVH200® resulted in a reduced expression of CD25 among CD3(+) T cells and suppression of T cell proliferation in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, AVH200® reduced the expression of CD28 on CD3(+) T cells. AVH200® also reduced the secretion of IL-2, IFN-γ and IL-17A in PBMC cultures. The AVH200® dose dependent reduction in T cell activation and proliferation recorded in the cell cultures was not due to apoptosis or cell death. Additionally, AVH200® was found to be more effective as compared to AVE200 in reducing T cell activation and proliferation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AVH200® has the potential to reduce the activation, proliferation and cytokine secretion of healthy human blood T cells. Our study suggests that AVH200® has a suppressive effect on human blood T cells in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Box 435, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden; Calmino Group AB, Sahlgrenska Science Park, Medicinaregatan 8A, 413 46 Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address: bani.ahluwalia@calmino.com.
authors.forename: Bani
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ahluwalia
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Box 435, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address: maria.magnusson@microbio.gu.se.
authors.forename: Maria K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Magnusson
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Box 435, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address: stefan.isaksson@microbio.gu.se.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Isaksson
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address: fredrik.larsson@calmino.com.
authors.forename: Fredrik
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Larsson
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Box 435, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address: lena.ohman@microbio.gu.se.
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Öhman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000504:Aloe / Q000737:chemistry*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C000612341:AVE200 compound; C000612340:AVH200 compound; D016207:Cytokines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Aloe barbadensis Mill.; Apoptosis; Cytokine; Proliferation; T cell