Research Summary:
Background: Oral Aloe vera gel is widely used by patients with inflammatory bowel disease and is currently under therapeutic evaluation for this condition.
Aim: The study aims to assess the effects of Aloe vera in vitro on the production of reactive oxygen metabolites, eicosanoids, and interleukin-8, all of which may play a pathogenic role 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 showed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on reactive oxygen metabolite production, with 50% inhibition occurring at a 1 in 1000 dilution in the phycoerythrin assay and at a 1 in 10–50 dilution with biopsies. Aloe vera also inhibited the production of prostaglandin E2 by 30% at a 1 in 50 dilution (P = 0.03), but had no effect on thromboxane B2 production. The release of interleukin-8 by CaCo2 cells decreased by 20% (P < 0.05) when treated with Aloe vera diluted at 1 in 100, though no significant effect was observed at dilutions of 1 in 10 or 1 in 1000.
Conclusion: The anti-inflammatory actions of Aloe vera gel in vitro support the hypothesis that it may have a therapeutic effect in inflammatory bowel disease.
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