Aloe gel enhances wound healing in diabetic rats
The slowed healing of skin wounds observed in diabetic patients may
be related to decreased levels of collagen, a compound that provides
structure and strength to skin tissue. In the present study, treatment
with aloe gel was shown to enhance wound healing, possibly by its effects
on inflammation and collagen synthesis. In the study, experimentally
induced skin wounds in diabetic rats were treated with topical or oral
administration of aloe gel. Wounds treated with aloe gel healed significantly
faster than wounds in control animals. In addition, levels of collagen,
total protein, and DNA were higher for the treatment groups than for
controls, particularly during the first 10 days of the study. The researchers
speculate that the possible hypoglycemic properties of aloe gel may
be responsible for its apparent ability to enhance wound healing in
diabetic individuals, and discuss possible biochemical mechanisms by
which Aloe exerts its effects
Chithra P, Sajithlal G, Chandrakasan
G. Influence of aloe vera on the healing of dermal wounds in diabetic
rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 1998; 59: 195-201 |
