Polymer fraction of Aloe vera exhibits a protective activity on ethanol-induced gastric lesions

Int J Mol Med. 2011 Apr;27(4):511-8. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2011.609. Epub 2011 Feb 1.

Abstract

For centuries, Aloe has been used as a herbal plant remedy against skin disorders, diabetes, and for its cardiac stimulatory activity. Here, we examined the gastroprotective effects of an Aloe vera polymer fraction (Avpf; molecular weight cut-off ≥50 kDa; 150 mg/kg body weight, p.o.) on an ethanol-induced gastric lesion mouse model. Mice pre-treated with Avpf had significantly fewer gastric lesions than their respective controls. To further examine the potential mechanism underlying this effect, we used reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to examine nitric oxide synthase and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)mRNA expression on tissues from gastric lesions. Our results revealed that the mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) were each reduced by ~50% in Avpf-treated mice vs. the controls, whereas, the mRNA expression levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase remained unchanged. MMP-9, an index for gastric lesions, also alleviated the ethanol-treated gastric ulceration during Avpf treatment. These findings collectively suggest that Avpf significantly protects the gastric mucosa against ethanol-induced gastric damage, at least in part, by decreasing mRNA expression levels of not only iNOS and nNOS, but also MMP-9.

MeSH terms

  • Aloe* / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Ethanol*
  • Gastric Mucosa / drug effects*
  • Gastric Mucosa / pathology
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / metabolism
  • Plant Preparations / chemistry
  • Plant Preparations / pharmacology*
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Polymers / pharmacology*
  • Stomach Ulcer / chemically induced*
  • Stomach Ulcer / enzymology*
  • Stomach Ulcer / genetics
  • Stomach Ulcer / pathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Plant Preparations
  • Polymers
  • Ethanol
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9