The aim of the study is to evaluate the composition of lyophilisates obtained from Aloe arborescens leaf gel at the age of one to four years. The leaves were obtained from controlled crops, which allowed to exclude environmental factors as variables. It was confirmed that the lyophilisates obtained from different years of Aloe arborescens leaf gel varied in chromatographic analyses in terms of aloin A and aloenin A content (high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection HPLC-DAD, high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection HPLC-MS/MS). Similarly, while testing the phenolic acids and the sum of polyphenols content, differences in their levels in leaf gel lyophilisates from plants of individual years were observed (spectrophotometric method UV-VIS). The lyophilisate composition analysis showed that the one-year-old leaves were characterized by the highest content of aloin A and aloenin A. While the content of polyphenols, including phenolic acids, was higher in the leaves of older plants. The antioxidant potential of the tested lyophilisates was assessed simultaneously. Regardless of the research model used (CUPRAC, DPPH, ABTS), an antioxidant effect was noted for Aloe arborescens leaves.

Purpose The poorly soluble nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), tolfenamic acid (TA), was studied to maximize its solubility, permeability through biological membranes, and pharmacological activity. Methods A mixture with magnesium stearate (MS) – microenvironment pH-modifier was prepared, as well as systems additionally containing incorporating substances methyl-β-cyclodextrin (M-β-CD) and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD). The identification of TA-MS-CD systems was confirmed using experimental methods: X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) with the theoretical support. Apparent solubility study was performed using the paddle apparatus, while in vitro gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability were conducted by using PAMPA (Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assay). The in vivo part of the study used the mouse nitroglycerin (NTG)-induced migraine pain model. Results From practically insoluble substance, TA in TA-MS-M-β-CD system dissolved up to 80.13% ± 2.77%, and in TA-MS-HP-β-CD up to 92.39% ± 3.25% in 180 minutes. An increase in TA permeability was also obtained in the TA-MS-M-β-CD and TA-MS-HP-β-CD systems through GIT membranes (P app values 2.057 x 10 −5 cm s −1 and 2.091 x 10 −5 cm s −1 , respectively) and through BBB (P app values 3.658 x 10 −5 cm s −1 and 3.629 x 10 −5 cm s −1 , respectively). The enlargement of the solubility and permeability impacted analgesia. The dose 25 mg/kg of both TA-MS-HP-β-CD and TA-MS-M-β-CD was almost equally effective and only slightly less effective than the dose 50 mg/kg of pure TA. Both TA-MS-HP-β-CD and TA-MS-M-β-CD used at 50 mg/kg more effectively attenuated tactile allodynia in NTG-treated mice than the same dose of pure TA. None of TA forms influenced heat hyperalgesia. Conclusion Increasing solubility of TA caused an increase of its analgesic effect in an animal model of migraine pain.

The present study assessed the genotoxicity, the possibility of inhibiting selected enzymes, and the microbial activity of lyophilisate from 3-year-old A. arborescens leaves obtained from controlled crops. The lyophilisate from 3-year-old A. arborescens leaves was standardized for aloin A and aloenin A content. Moreover, concentrations of polyphenolic compounds and phenolic acids were determined. The first stage of the research was to determine genotoxicity using the comet test, which confirmed the safety of A. arborescens. Assays of enzymatic inhibition were performed for hyaluronidase (IC50 = 713.24 ± 41.79 µg/mL), α-glucosidase (IC50 = 598.35 ± 12.58 µg/mL), acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase (1.16 vs. 0.34 µM of eserine/g d.m., respectively). The next stage of the research was to determine the ability of the healing properties using the scratch test, which showed a positive response using the extract. Microbial activity was evaluated and obtained against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and yeasts. We concluded that A. arborescens leaf gel meets the important conditions for plant raw materials to obtain semi-solid forms of herbal medicinal products.

Aloe gel is a medicinal raw material with proven pharmacological activity. The health-promoting properties of other species of Aloe upon topical application prompted us to develop a formulation for the topical application of A. arborescence species. As a result of the gel preparation from the aqueous lyophilized extracts of three-year-old leaves of A. arborescence, no changes in the composition of the content of aloins A and aloenin A were found. The potential to neutralize free radicals was tested using DPPH and CUPRAC techniques, which confirmed the anti-radical activity of the lyophilisate. Screening of the inhibition of enzymes, the hyperactivity of which is associated with adverse changes in the skin of a pro-inflammatory nature, was performed. Importantly, using the PAMPA SKIN model, the possibility of the penetration of selected extract compounds (aloin A and aloenin A) through the skin was proven. Then, two formulations were prepared based on sodium alginate and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and the hydrogels were characterized (rheological analysis, drug release profiles, permeability, and stability studies). HPMC-based hydrogel was the one with a targeted release of active substances and greater stability. Aloe arborescens hydrogel matrices seem to be a promising treatment strategy for inflammatory surface damage based on “green technology” at the stage of extract preparation and development of the drug form for topical application.