Bacterial infectious maladies are the leading cause of death worldwide. Microbial drug resistance boosts the severity of the maladies. In the present study, the antibacterial impact of Aloe vera leaf aqueous extract against six strains of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LN872136, LN872137, LN871238, LN871239, LN872140, LN871241) was investigated in vitro. The effect of different concentrations (5-20mg/ ml) of the plant extract on bacterial growth was evaluated by estimating the dry weight of bacterial biomass obtained from cultures at 24 and 48 h after exposure to the plant extract. The results revealed that the plant extract at concentrations of 15-20mg/ml, markedly reduced the dry weights of most S. aureus strains after 24 and/or 48 h exposure periods. The effects of the plant extract (20mg/ml) on the inhibition zones and biofilm formation by S. aureus six strains were also investigated. The largest inhibition zone was recorded against S. aureus (LN871241) and confirmed by scanning electron microscope. The plant extract could also block the biofilm formation by most S. aureus strains. In conclusion, the current results may support the use of A. vera extract as antibacterial agent against methicillin resistant S. aureus infections.

The leaf latex of Aloe yavellana Reynolds is traditionally used for the treatment of various illnesses of humans and domestic animals in Ethiopia. In the present study, the latex and two major compounds isolated from it, namely, aloin A/B and microdontin A/B were assessed for their larvicidal activity against Amblyomma variegatum tick larvae using a larval packet test (LPT). The LC50 and LC99 of the latex were found to be 35.82 ± 2.27 and 83.48 ± 3.95 mg/ml, respectively. Although microdontin A/B showed better larvicidal activity (LC50 = 89.40 ± 4.45 mg/ml) than aloin A/B (LC50 = 257.69 ± 6.31 mg/ml), neither of the isolated compounds was as active as the latex suggesting that the compounds acted synergistically or minor compounds with potent larvicidal activity may exist in the latex. The results confirmed that the leaf latex of A. yavellana and its isolated compounds could have the potential to be used as larvicidal against A. variegatum ticks.

Background: Aloe barbadensis Miller 1768, A. vera L. var. chinensis (Haw.) Berger 1908, A. ferox Miller 1768, and A. arborescens Miller 1768 are the most widely cultivated species of Aloe and are used in Asia along with 400 other Aloe species worldwide because of their potent and potential bioactivity. Objective: The objective was to analyze and compare the soluble proteins of four commonly used medicinal Aloe species. Methods: Aloe protein samples were obtained by TCA/acetone-saturated phenol-methanol/ammonium acetate combined extraction (phenol extraction), and then were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Finally, the differentially expressed proteins of four Aloe species were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight-MS analysis. Results: The phenol extraction method was the most suitable method for the protein extraction of Aloe. Fifty differentially expressed proteins in four Aloe species were successfully identified and divided into eight functional categories. Furthermore, Malate dehydrogenase and ran-binding protein in A. barbadensis, cytoskeletal-related protein tubulin in A. vera var. chinensis and auxin-induced protein PCNT-115 in A. arborescens are closely related to their morphological characteristics. Conclusions: There are differences in the soluble proteins of the four Aloe species. Those proteins, related to the difference of their morphology of Aloe, might be used to identify different species. Highlights: Fifty differentially expressed proteins in four medicinal Aloe species were identified, and these proteins were classified into eight categories according to their biological functions. Four special proteins closely related to the morphological characteristics of Aloe were found and might be used to identify these four Aloe species.

Research on collagen type I scaffolds with Aloe vera is sparse. The aim of this work was to develop collagen type I scaffolds with gelatin-collagen microparticles and loaded with a dispersion of A. vera, to assess their performance as grafting material for healing of skin wounds. Scaffolds were evaluated in a Cavia porcellus model with full-thickness skin wound and compared with wounds healed by secondary intention (controls). Animals grafted with scaffolds without A. vera and their control wounds were also included in the study. Evaluation of enzymatic degradation and percentage of the scaffolds' free amino groups-as an indirect assessment of their cross-linking-were also carried out because A. vera contains compounds which affect their stability. We found that dispersions of lyophilized A. vera extract loaded on scaffolds do not have cytotoxic potential, and they decrease collagenase degradation of scaffolds in the range of 0.1 to 0.3% w/v in a dose-dependent manner. Only the A. vera dispersion with the highest concentration (0.3% w/v) decreased the percentage of free amino groups, which are the ones involved in the cross-link of collagen fibers. This finding suggests that cross-linking is not the mechanism by which the tested dispersions stabilize the scaffolds. Preclinical, histochemical, and histomorphometric analyses of repaired wound tissue indicate that loading collagen type I scaffolds, including microparticles of gelatin-collagen, with A. vera in the concentrations tested does not improve wound healing. Low biodegradability of the tested scaffolds caused by the inhibition of collagenase activity might account for these results.

Dahuang-mudan decoction (DMD) has been widely used for disease treatment in China for 1700 years. The formula consists of Rhubarb, Moutan bark, Prunus persica, Wax gourd kernel and Mirabilite, which have been well studied by multidisciplinary approaches. However, the role of the mineral Mirabilite in DMD is unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Mirabilite on the absorption and pharmacokinetics of the ingredients in DMD. The constituents were identified in DMD extract and the plasma of Mirabilite-DMD (MDMD, 50 g kg-1 )-treated rats and None Mirabilite-DMD (NMDMD, 50 g kg-1 )-treated rats. The plasma was also used to investigate the effects of Mirabilite on the pharmacokinetics of active ingredients in DMD using a new validated UPLC-MS/MS method. The results showed that 63 compounds were identified in the extract of DMD, 27 and 22 of which were found in the plasmas of MDMD and NMDMD-treated rats, respectively. Furthermore, the results of a pharmacokinetic study suggested that Mirabilite influenced the absorption of the five constituents by decreasing the absorption of emodin and rhein while increasing the absorption of aloe-emodin, paeoniflorin and amygdalin; the pharmacokinetic parameters, including the Tmax , Cmax , AUC0-t , MRT0-t , CLz and t1/2 of five constituents significantly changed in MDMD-treated rats compared with the NMDMD. The method validation for selectivity, precision, accuracy, matrix effect, recovery, and stability were reckoned acceptable. These findings uncover the roles of Mirabilite in DMD and demonstrate the application of scientific principles to the study of DMD in human health care.

Swelling of retinal Müller cells is implicated in retinal edema and neuronal degeneration. Müller cell swelling is observed in patients with liver failure and is referred to as hepatic retinopathy. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of aloin, an anthraquinone-C-glycoside present in various Aloe species, on Müller cell dysfunction in a rat model of thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatic retinopathy. Experimental hepatic retinopathy was induced by three injections of TAA (200 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal injection) for 3 days in rats. After the last injection of TAA, aloin (50 and 100 mg/kg) was orally gavaged for 5 days. The effects of aloin on the liver injury, serum ammonia levels, Müller cell swelling, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression, and gene expression of Kir4.1 and aquaporin-4 were examined. TAA-injected rats exhibited liver failure and hyperammonemia. In the TAA-injected rats, Müller cell bodies were highly enlarged, and GFAP, an indicator of retinal stress, was highly expressed in the retinas, indicating a predominant Müller cell gliosis. However, administration of aloin suppressed liver injury as well as Müller cell swelling through the normalization of Kir4.1 and aquaporin-4 channels, which play a key role in potassium and water transport in Müller cells. These results indicate that aloin may be helpful to protect retinal injury associated with liver failure.

Herbal-induced oesophageal lesions are rare. We report the case of an 85-year-old male who presented with cough and odynophagia. An upper endoscopy showed white deposit under the proximal oesophageal sphincter. Biopsy of the lesion revealed an oesophageal ulcer with adherent plant material and ruled-out candidiasis. At this point, the patient divulged self-preparation of an herbal remedy consisting of Aloe Vera pulp, whisky, honey, ginger and turmeric. Aloe Vera, ginger and turmeric are commonly used to sooth some gastroenterological symptoms in Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Incorrect extraction of Aloe Vera pulp and adding honey to it transformed the recipe into a sticky paste that may have injured the oesophageal mucosa. Follow-up showed that the cough and odynophagia subsided after discontinuing this herbal remedy.

The incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing worldwide. One of the main complications in DM is delayed wound healing which often requires amputation. Various drugs have been used to treat DM but they present with various complications and patients often do not comply with such treatment. This opens the door for complementary and alternative medicine. In the present review, we explore the molecular concept of wound healing occurring in different stages with special emphasis to DM. We also highlight potential herbal products such as NF3 (Chinese 2-Herb Formula), Zicao, Jing Wan Hong ointment, mixture of Adiantum capillus-veneris, Commiphora molmol, Aloe Vera, and henna, Aleo vera, Phenol-rich compound sweet gel, Jinchuang ointment, San-huang-sheng-fu (S) oil, Yi Bu A Jie extract, Astragali Radix (AR) and Rehmanniae Radix (RR), Yiqi Huayu, Tangzu yuyang ointment, Shengji Huayu recipe, Angelica sinensis, Lithospermun erythrorhison, Hippophae rhamnoides L., Curcuma longa, and Momordica charantia that could be effectively used to treat DM wounds. Future clinical trials are needed for designing potential drugs which may be effective in treating DM wounds.