Dietary aloin, aloesin, or aloe-gel exerts anti-inflammatory activity in a rat colitis model.

Abstract

AIMS:

Aloe has been a very popular folk remedy for inflammation-related pathological conditions despite the lack of studies reporting its efficacy in vivo. The present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of aloe components (aloin, aloesin and aloe-gel) known to be biologically active in the rat model of colitis.

MAIN METHODS:

Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed experimental diets for 2 weeks before and during the induction of colitis. Drinking water containing 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) was provided for 1 week to induce colitis. At the end of the experimental period, clinical and biochemical markers were compared.

KEY FINDINGS:

Plasma leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentrations were significantly decreased in all groups supplemented with aloe components compared to the colitis control group (p<0.05). Animals fed both a 0.1% and 0.5% aloesin supplemented diet showed colonic myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities which were decreased by 32.2% and 40.1%, respectively (p<0.05). Colonic mucosa TNF-α and interleukin-1ß (IL-1β) mRNA expressions were significantly reduced in all animals fed aloin, aloesin, or aloe-gel (p<0.05).

SIGNIFICANCE:

Dietary supplementation of aloe components ameliorates intestinal inflammatory responses in a DSS-induced ulcerative colitis rat model. In particular, aloesin was the most potent inhibitor. Further studies are required for a more complete understanding of the specific mechanism of the action of these supplements.

• Authors: Mi-Young Park, Hoon-Jeong Kwon, Mi-Kyung Sung
• Journal: Life sciences (Life Sci) Vol. 88 Issue 11-12 Pg. 486-92 (Mar 14 2011) ISSN: 1879-0631 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 21277867 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Chromones
• Gels
• Glucosides
• Interleukin-1beta
• Plant Preparations
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Leukotriene B4
• Peroxidase
• Emodin
• alloin
• aloesin

Topics

• Aloe (chemistry)
• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Chromones (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Colitis (drug therapy, immunology, pathology)
• Colon (drug effects, enzymology, immunology, pathology)
• Diet
• Dietary Supplements
• Disease Models, Animal
• Emodin (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Gels
• Glucosides (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Interleukin-1beta (immunology)
• Leukotriene B4 (blood)
• Male
• Peroxidase (metabolism)
• Plant Preparations (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (immunology)