Anti-Proliferative Effect of Aloe vera Gel on Fibroblast and Endothelial Cells

Background and Aim: Aloe vera is used for a large variety of biologicalactivities such as wound healing, antifungal activity, anti-inflammatoryactivity, hypoglycemic immunomodulatory, gastroprotective and anticancereffects. It has been reported that Aloe vera has tumor preventiveeffect by inhibiting angiogenesis. However, wound healing and anticancereffects are a controversial issue based on the angiogenesis process. Therefore, this study evaluated Aloe vera gel effects on endothelial cellsand fibroblasts.Methods: The fresh white pulp of mature leaves Aloe Vera is homogenizedby a mixer, centrifuged and sterilized by chloroform. Monolayer cultureof human fibroblasts and endothelial cells were treated with Aloe 10%Vera gel. The toxicity and proliferation rate were evaluated by MTT assayfor both types of cells.Results: Our microscopic observation showed no morphological changesin Aloe vera-treated fibroblast and endothelial cells. However, both ofcells in the first 24h were proliferated and on the second day, some celldebris were observed. MTT assays revealed that Aloe vera has no toxicityon cells on the first day of cultures and the growth rate of both cells inAloe vera-treated cells was the same as control. Aloe vera significantly(P<0.005) decreased optical density of endothelial cells in MTT assayafter 48 hours.Conclusion: The recent study showed that the antiproliferative effect ofAloe vera on human fibroblasts and endothelial cells. For anti-cancereffects of the plant, the anti-angiogenic activity must be evaluated.

Keywords:

Aloe vera , Anti-cancer , Endothelial cells , Fibroblasts , Wound healing