Abstract
Aloe has been used as a folk medicine because it has several important therapeutic properties. These include wound and burn healing, and Aloe is now used in a variety of commercially available topical medications for wound healing and skin care. However, its effects on epidermal keratinocytes remain largely unclear. Our data indicated that both Aloe vera gel (AVG) and Cape aloe extract (CAE) significantly improved wound healing in human primary epidermal keratinocytes (HPEKs) and a human skin equivalent model. In addition, flow cytometry analysis revealed that cell surface expressions of β1-, α6-, β4-integrin, and E-cadherin increased in HPEKs treated with AVG and CAE. These increases may contribute to cell migration and wound healing. Treatment with Aloe also resulted in significant changes in cell-cycle progression and in increases in cell number. Aloe increased gene expression of differentiation markers in HPEKs, suggesting roles for AVG and CAE in the improvement of keratinocyte function. Furthermore, human skin epidermal equivalents developed from HPEKs with medium containing Aloe were thicker than control equivalents, indicating the effectiveness of Aloe on enhancing epidermal development. Based on these results, both AVG and CAE have benefits in wound healing and in treatment of rough skin.
Highlights
The genus Aloe comprises about 600 species [1], most of which are native to South Africa
In order to evaluate whether Aloe vera gel (AVG) and Cape aloe extract (CAE) play a crucial role in wound healing and migration of keratinocytes, we performed the following assays
human primary epidermal keratinocytes (HPEKs) were treated with 10 μg/mL of AVG or CAE; both treatments caused a significant increase in the migratory ability of HPEKs (Fig 1A)
Summary
The genus Aloe comprises about 600 species [1], most of which are native to South Africa. Only a few species of Aloe, including Aloe vera and Cape aloe, have been reported to contain many bioactive ingredients. These Aloe species are currently listed in the pharmacopeia of many countries as laxatives. Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) is native to the Mediterranean region of southern Europe and North Africa, and to the Canary Islands. It is commonly grown in Asia, southern Europe, southern USA, Mexico, Aruba, Bonaire, Bermuda, the Bahamas, the West Indies, and PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0164799. It is commonly grown in Asia, southern Europe, southern USA, Mexico, Aruba, Bonaire, Bermuda, the Bahamas, the West Indies, and PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0164799 October 13, 2016
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