In vivo evidence of the immunomodulatory activity of orally administered Aloe vera gel

Arch Pharm Res. 2010 Mar;33(3):451-6. doi: 10.1007/s12272-010-0315-1. Epub 2010 Mar 30.

Abstract

The gels of Aloe species contain immunomodulatory components such as aloctin A and acemannan. Most studies on these gels were performed in in vitro cell culture systems. Although several studies examined their immunomodulatory activity in vivo, the route of administration was intraperitoneal or intramuscular. Here, we evaluated the in vivo immunomodulatory activity of processed Aloe vera gel (PAG) in mice. Oral administration of PAG significantly reduced the growth of C. albicans in the spleen and kidney following intravenous injection of C. albicans in normal mice. PAG administration also reduced the growth of C. albicans in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. PAG administration did not increase ovalbumin (OVA)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) generation in normal mice, but did increase it in high-fat-diet induced diabetic mice. These findings provide the first clear evidence for the immunomodulatory activity of orally administered Aloe vera gel.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Aloe*
  • Animals
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Candida albicans / growth & development
  • Candidiasis / drug therapy*
  • Candidiasis / immunology
  • Candidiasis / microbiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / immunology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / immunology
  • Gels
  • Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage*
  • Kidney / microbiology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Ovalbumin / immunology
  • Plant Preparations / administration & dosage*
  • Spleen / microbiology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Gels
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Plant Preparations
  • Ovalbumin