Aloe vera Extract

: Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.

anti-aging

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92765/

TABLE 3.1Classes and Selected Examples of

Phytochemicals in Aloe vera

Class Compound

Anthraquinones/a Aloe-emodin, aloetic-acid,

nthrones anthranol, aloin A and B (or
collectively known as barbaloin),
isobarbaloin, emodin, and ester of
cinnamic acid

Carbohydrates Pure mannan, acetylated mannan,

Class Compound

acetylated glucomannan,
glucogalactomannan, galactan,
galactogalacturan, arabinogalactan,
galactoglucoarabinomannan, pectic
substance, xylan, and cellulose

Chromones 8-C-glucosyl-(2-O-cinnamoyl)-7-O-
methylaloediol A, 8-C-glucosyl-(S)-
aloesol, 8-C-glucosyl-7-O-methyl-
(S)- aloesol, 8-C-glucosyl-7-O-
methylaloediol, 8-C-
glucosylnoreugenin, isoaloeresin D,
isorabaichromone, and neoaloesin A

Enzymes Alkaline phosphatase, amylase,

carboxypeptidase, catalase,
cyclooxidase, cyclooxygenase,
lipase, oxidase,
phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase,
and superoxide dismutase

Inorganic minerals Calcium, chlorine, chromium,

copper, iron, magnesium,
manganese, potassium,
phosphorous, sodium, and zinc

Vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, E, and folic acid

Miscellaneous, Arachidonic acid, -linolenic acid,

including organic steroids (campesterol, cholesterol,
compounds and -sitosterol, triglycerides,
lipids triterpenoid, gibberellin, lignins,
potassium sorbate, salicylic acid,
Class Compound

uric acid, -carotene, and choline

Amino acids Alanine, arginine, aspartic acid,

glutamic acid, glycine, histidine,
hydroxyproline, isoleucine, leucine,
lysine, methionine, phenylalanine,
proline, threonine, tyrosine, and
valine

Proteins Lectins and lectin-like substance

Saccharides Mannose, glucose, L-rhamnose, and

aldopentose
Sources: Vogler, B., and E. Ernst. 1999. Br J Gen
Pract 49:82328; Dagne, E., D. Bisrat, A. Viljoen,
and B. E. Van Wyk. 2000. Curr Org Chem 4:1055
78; Choi, S., and M. H. Chung. 2003. Semin Integr
Med 1:5362; International Aloe Science Council.
2004. http://www.iasc.org/aloemarket.html (access
ed August 18, 2009); Ni, Y., D. Turner, K. M. Yates,
and I. Tizard. 2004. Int immunopharmacol 4:1745
55; Hamman, J. H. 2008. Molecules 13:1599616.

Antimicrobial activities
The activity of A. vera inner gel against both Gram-positive and Gram-
negative bacteria has been
demonstrated by several different methods [6]. Anthraquinones isolated
from the exudate of A. vera
have shown wide antimicrobial activity. The antibacterial activity of
emodin against Escherichia coli
was proposed to be mediated through inhibition of solute transport in
membranes. Many
anthraquinones have shown antiviral and/or virucidal effects on enveloped
viruses [52].
Skin hydration effects
In a study where the moisturising effects of cosmetic formulations
containing different
concentrations of lyophilised A. vera gel were studied, showed that only
formulations with higher
concentrations (0.25 % w/w and 0.5 % w/w) increased the water content
of the stratum corneum after a
single application. When the formulations were applied twice daily for a
period of 2 weeks, all the
formulations (containing concentrations of 0.1 % w/w, 0.25 % w/w and 0.5
% w/w of A. vera gel
powder) had the same effect. However, the transepidermal water loss was
not changed by inclusion of
the A. vera gel in the formulations compared to the vehicle used in the
formulations. It was proposed
that the A. vera gel containing products improved skin hydration possibly
by means of a humectant
mechanism [50].

Wound healing effects

Wound healing is a response to injured tissue that results in the
restoration of tissue integrity. It was
shown that aloe gel could improve wound healing after topical and
systemic administration in several
studies, while others claimed no effect or even a delay in wound healing.
Conflicting results may be
explained by stability of the active ingredients as it was shown that the
time of treatment after
harvesting was an important factor that determined activity. Several
mechanisms have been proposed
for the wound healing effects of aloe gel, which include keeping the
wound moist, increase epithelial
cell migration, more rapid maturation of collagen and reduction in
inflammation [38].

A 5.5 kDa glycoprotein that was isolated from A. vera showed an increase
in cell migration and
accelerated wound healing in a human keratinocyte monolayer. In a raft
culture it exhibited stimulation
of epidermal tissue formation as well as marked expression of proliferation
markers on the

immunohistochemical level. The enhanced wound healing effect and cell

proliferation of this
glycoprotein fraction was confirmed in hairless mice [47].
Anti-oxidant effects
It has been reported by several authors that different fractions of A. vera
as well as unfractionated
whole gel have anti-oxidant effects. Glutathione peroxidise activity,
superoxide dismutase enzymes
and a phenolic anti-oxidant were found to be present in A. vera gel, which
may be responsible for
these anti-oxidant effects. It was shown in two cell-free in vitro systems
and by incubation with
inflamed colorectal mucosal biopsies that A. vera gel has a dose-
dependent anti-oxidant effect. The
cell-free techniques used in this study assessed the scavenging of both
superoxide and peroxyl
radicals. The A. vera gel in a concentration of 1 in 50 also inhibited
prostaglandin E2 production from
inflamed colorectal biopsies, but had no effect on thromboxane B2 release
[46].

Anti-inflammatory effects
Inflammation is a reaction by the body due to injury and is characterised
by swelling, pain, redness,
heat and loss of function. This natural response can delay healing, but it
may also be d etrimental to
suppress inflammation before its purpose is accomplished. The anti-
inflammatory activity of mannose

6-phosphate is believed to resemble the effects observed for acetylated

mannan in aloe gel. Aloe gel
reduces inflammation that is induced by agents via promotion of
prostaglandin synthesis as well as
increased infiltration of leucocytes, but is less effective against
inflammation caused by agents that
produce allergic reactions [38].
The effects of aqueous, chloroform and ethanol extracts of A. vera gel
were investigated on oedema
in the rat paw as well as neutrophil migration into the peritoneal cavity
induced by carrageenan. Both
the aqueous and chloroform extracts were found to inhibit the oedema
formation close to that of well
established anti-inflammatory agents (i.e. indomethacin and
dexamethasone). Furthermore, the antioedema
effects of these two extracts correlated well with their abilities to decrease
the number of
neutrophils migrating into the peritoneal cavity. The ethanol extract did
not show an effect on the
oedema, but reduced the number of migrating neutrophils. Further
experimentation on the mechanism
of action suggested that the anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts of
A. vera gel probably occurs
via an inhibitory action on the arachidonic acid pathway through
cyclooxygenase [15].
A study on Helicobacter pylori-infected rats showed that treatment with A.
vera significantly
reduced leukocyte adhesion and tumour necrosis factor (TNF-)levels.
The results therefore suggest
that A. vera show potential in the treatment of the inflammatory response
of the gastric mucosa due to
H. pylori infection [45].

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764
/
1. Healing properties: Glucomannan, a mannose-rich polysaccharide, and gibberellin, a
growth hormone, interacts with growth factor receptors on the fibroblast, thereby
stimulating its activity and proliferation, which in turn significantly increases collagen
synthesis after topical and oral Aloe vera.9Aloe gel not only increased collagen
content of the wound but also changed collagen composition (more type III) and
increased the degree of collagen cross linking. Due to this, it accelerated wound
contraction and increased the breaking strength of resulting scar tissue.10 An increased
synthesis of hyaluronic acid and dermatan sulfate in the granulation tissue of a healing
wound following oral or topical treatment has been reported.11

2. Effects on skin exposure to UV and gamma radiation: Aloe vera gel has been
reported to have a protective effect against radiation damage to the skin.12,13 Exact role
is not known, but following the administration of aloe vera gel, an antioxidant protein,
metallothionein, is generated in the skin, which scavenges hydroxyl radicals and
prevents suppression of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the skin.
It reduces the production and release of skin keratinocyte-derived immunosuppressive
cytokines such as interleukin-10 (IL-10) and hence prevents UV-induced suppression
of delayed type hypersensitivity.14

3. Anti-inflammatory action: Aloe vera inhibits the cyclooxygenase pathway and

reduces prostaglandin E2 production from arachidonic acid. Recently, the novel anti-
inflammatory compound called C-glucosyl chromone was isolated from gel extracts.8

4. Moisturizing and anti-aging effect: Mucopolysaccharides help in binding moisture

into the skin. Aloe stimulates fibroblast which produces the collagen and elastin fibers
making the skin more elastic and less wrinkled. It also has cohesive effects on the
superficial flaking epidermal cells by sticking them together, which softens the skin.
The amino acids also soften hardened skin cells and zinc acts as an astringent to
tighten pores. Its moisturizing effects has also been studied in treatment of dry skin
 associated with occupational exposure where aloe vera gel gloves improved the skin
integrity, decreases appearance of fine wrinkle and decreases erythema.21 It also has
anti-acne effect.

5. Antiseptic effect: Aloe vera contains 6 antiseptic agents: Lupeol, salicylic acid, urea
nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenols and sulfur. They all have inhibitory action on
fungi, bacteria and viruses.

Side effects
Topical: It may cause redness, burning, stinging
sensation and rarely generalized dermatitis in sensitive
individuals. Allergic reactions are mostly due to
anthraquinones, such as aloin and barbaloin. It is best
to apply it to a small area first to test for possible
allergic reaction.