Clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical investigations of the Effects of Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) on open wound healing in rats

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of freshly prepared (from the freeze-dried powder form) solution of Aloe barbadensis Miller on experimentally induced excisional wounds in rats. Eighty female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into ten groups: control, Madecassol® pomade, Carravet® gel, and different concentrations of the solution form of Aloe vera. Bilateral excisional wounds were created on both the right and left sides of the dorsal midline. All drugs were applied topically for 21 days, wounds were observed daily, and biopsies were taken on days 7, 14, and 21. Inflammatory cell count, vascularization, VEGF, and TGF-β1 levels were investigated. Biomechanical evaluations were also performed in a stretching device by using skin samples taken on day 21 after ending the study. Wounds in the 1% Aloe vera group closed earlier than in the control group. Wounds applied with Aloe vera had lower inflammatory cell counts and a higher degree of neovascularization when compared with the wounds applied with Madecassol® pomade and Carravet® gel. TGF-β1 levels decreased gradually only in the control group, while VEGF levels in the 2.5 and 10% Aloe vera groups were significantly higher than in the other groups on day 21. The 10% Aloe vera group had a higher tensile strength than other groups. As a conclusion, the solution form of Aloe vera is more effective than the gel form in wound healing. Notably, the 1% concentration of Aloe vera solution can be a potential wound healing agent.