ANTIINFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF EXTRACTS FROM ALOE-VERA GEL

We studied the effects of aqueous, chloroform, and ethanol extracts of Aloe vera gel on carrageenan-induced edema in the rat paw, and neutro phil migration into the peritoneal cavity stimulated by carrageenan. W e also studied the capacity of the aqueous extract to inhibit cyclooxy genase activity. The aqueous and chloroform extracts decreased the ede ma induced in the hind-paw and the number of neutrophils migrating int o the peritoneal cavity, whereas the ethanol extract only decreased th e number of neutrophils. The antiinflammatory agents indomethacin and dexamethasone also decreased carrageenan-induced edema and neutrophil migration. The aqueous extract inhibited prostaglandin E(2) production from [C-14]arachidonic acid. The chemical tests performed in the aque ous extract for anthraglycosides, reductor sugars and cardiotonic glyc osides were positive. In the ethanol extract, the chemical tests perfo rmed for saponins, carbohydrates naftoquinones, sterols, triterpenoids and anthraquinones were also positive. In the chloroform extract, the chemical tests performed for sterols type Delta(5), and anthraquinone s were positive.;These results demonstrated that the extracts of Aloe vera gel have antiinflammatory activity and suggested its inhibitory a ction on the arachidonic acid pathway via cyclooxygenase.