The effects of oral Aloe vera on the efficacy of transplanted human endothelial cells and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases in diabetic wound healing

Abstract

Background: Diabetic wounds are characterized by delayed healing and impaired angiogenesis. Aloe vera and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are reported to facilitate wound healing, and the former also has hypoglycemic property. Matrix metalloproteinases are enzymes that play a role in diabetic wound pathogenesis. Objective: To investigate whether oral Aloe vera can enhance the efficacy of HUVEC transplantation and inhibit the expression of matrix metalloproteinases in wound healing of diabetic mice. Materials and methods: BALB/c nude mice were randomly assigned into five groups: normal control group, diabetic group (DM), DM transplanted with HUVECs, DM treated with oral Aloe vera, and DM treated with combined HUVECs and oral Aloe vera. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin. Bilateral full-thickness excision cutaneous wounds were created. At days 7 and 14 post-wounding, the following parameters were determined: blood glucose, wound area, wound perfusion, capillary vascularity, re-epithelialization rate and tissue VEGF levels. Tissue expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were compared between the DM mice and those treated with oral Aloe vera. Results: Over days 7 and 14, Aloe vera exerted glucose-lowering effect in diabetic mice. Higher wound closure rate, blood flow and capillary vascularity, and lower MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions were observed at both time points in DM treated with Aloe vera group compared with DM group (P < 0.05). Moreover, combined therapy of HUVECs and oral Aloe vera was more effective than Aloe vera or HUVECs alone in increasing VEGF levels, capillary vascularity and wound perfusion. Blood glucose levels were negatively correlated with angiogenesis (P ¼ 0.000. Conclusion: It is suggested that oral Aloe vera enhances the efficacy of HUVEC transplantation on diabetic wound angiogenesis, partly through improving glycemic control. Oral Aloe vera also promotes diabetic wound healing via inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions.

Isolation of Aloe saponaria-Derived Extracellular Vesicles and Investigation of Their Potential for Chronic Wound Healing

“…Several studies have reported that extracts of Aloe species not only show anti-inflammatory effects, but also promote angiogenesis and skin cell proliferation, which are required for chronic wound healing [47,48,93,94]. Considering that PDEVs contain biomolecules such as phytochemicals, nucleic acids, and proteins, it is suggested that PDEVs derived from Aloe species can also promote wound healing.…”

Experimental Investigation on the Oral and Topical Application of Aloe Vera in Wound Care

“…These statement are related to the results of our study. The research [17]examined whether the aloe vera treated through oral have the efficacy to enhance the umbilical vein transplantation and inhibit the expression of matrix metallo-proteinases in injury healing of diabetic mice.Suggested that the efficacy of HUVEC transplantation on diabetic wound angiogenesis was enhanced by the oral Aloe vera , partly glycemic control were also improved. Via inhibition of MMP-9 and MMP-2 the oral aloe vera endorsed the wound therapeutic in diabetic.…”