Anti-microbial principles of selected remedial plants from Southern India

Objective:To examine the anti-bacterial activity of leaf extracts of Morus alba L.(Moraceae)and Piper betel L.(Piperaceae),and seed extracts of Bombax ceiba L.(Borabacaceae).Methods:We have partially purified plant extracts by solvent extraction method,and evaluated the effect of individual fractions on bacterial growth using Escherichia coli(E.coli),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(P.aeruginosa) and Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus) bacterial strains.Results:Compared with Morus and Bombax fractions,Piper fractions showed significant growth inhibition on all the three types of bacteria studied.The EtOAc-hexane fractions of Piper leaves exhibited significant antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations(MIC) of 50 μg/mL culture against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.The EtOAc-fractions Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅳ inhibited bacterial colony formation on soft agar in addition to growth inhibition.A combination treatment of piper fractions with ampicillin resulted in significant growth inhibition in E.coli and P.aeruginosa,and combination with anticancer drug geldanamycin(2 μg/mL) showed selective growth inhibition against P.aeruginosa and S.aureus.Three major compounds,i.e.,eugenol,3-hexene-ol and stigmasterol,were primarily identified from Piper betel leaf extractions.Among the individual compounds,eugenol treatment showed improved growth inhibition compared with stigmasterol and 3-hexene-ol.Conclusions:We are reporting potential anti-bacterial compounds from Piper betel against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria either alone or in combination with drug treatment.

Serological profiling of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis patients reveals anti-microbial antibody signatures

BACKGROUND The healthcare burden of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is rising globally and there are limited non-invasive biomarkers for accurate and early diagnosis.AIM To understand the important role that intestinal microbiota play in IBD pathogenesis and identify anti-microbial antibody signatures that benefit clinical management of IBD patients.METHODS We performed serological profiling of 100 Crohn’s disease(CD)patients,100 ulcerative colitis(UC)patients and 100 healthy controls against 1173 bacterial and 397 viral proteins from 50 bacteria and 33 viruses on protein microarrays.The study subjects were randomly divided into discovery(n=150)and validation(n=150)sets.Statistical analysis was performed using R packages.RESULTS Anti-bacterial antibody responses showed greater differential prevalence among the three subject groups than anti-viral antibody responses.We identified novel antibodies against the antigens of Bacteroidetes vulgatus(BVU_0562)and Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP_1992)showing higher prevalence in CD patients relative to healthy controls.We also identified antibodies against the antigen of Streptococcus pyogenes(SPy_2009)showing higher prevalence in healthy controls relative to UC patients.Using these novel antibodies,we built biomarker panels with area under the curve(AUC)of 0.81,0.87,and 0.82 distinguishing CD vs control,UC vs control,and CD vs UC,respectively.Subgroup analysis revealed that penetrating CD behavior,colonic CD location,CD patients with a history of surgery,and extensive UC exhibited highest antibody prevalence among all patients.We demonstrated that autoantibodies and anti-microbial antibodies in CD patients had minimal correlation.CONCLUSION We have identified antibody signatures for CD and UC using a comprehensive analysis of antimicrobial antibody response in IBD.These antibodies and the source microorganisms of their target antigens improve our understanding of the role of specific microorganisms in IBD pathogenesis and,after future validation,should aid early and accurate diagnosis of IBD.

Anti-inflammation Activities of Essential Oil and Anti-microbial Activities Of Ethanol Extraction from China's Rosemary

Rosemary(Rosmarius officinalis L.), an endemic plant species in south region of China, is traditionally used as a spice. In this research, the anti-inflammatory activities of essential oil and the antibacterial activities of ethanol extraction were determined, respectively. Results showed that based on the GC-MS analysis there were 35 kinds of active ingredients in the essential oil in totally, mainly including D-limonene(24.158 ml/L), α-Pinene(23.325 ml/L), Camphor(9.855 ml/L),Camphene(7.076 ml/L), Verbenone(6.685 ml/L), Borneol(5.580 ml/L), etc. The LCUV determination indicated that the main components in the ethanol extractionwere rosmarinic acid(3 910 mg/kg) and carnosic acid(2 970 mg/kg). By mice peritoneal macrophage phagocytosis of chicken erythrocytes experiment, the essential oil of rosemary was shown having a significant role in anti-inflammation. And the ethanol extraction had broad-spectrum antibacterial effects, but had no effect on mold by the agar diffusion method of 8 bacteria. As a result, both rosemary essential oil and ethanol extraction had good potential medicinal values.

Comparison study of anti-microbial activity between crude extract of Kappaphycus alvarezii and Andrographis paniculata

To evaluate the antimicrobial properties of Kappaphycus alvarezii (K. alvarezii) and Andrographis paniculata (A. paniculata) and to compare the microbial inhibition activities between these two crude extracts.MethodsBoth K. alvarezii and A. paniculata were extracted with methanol before the commencement of antimicrobial properties studies. There were a total of eight species of bacteria, including Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis and Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enterica. The antimicrobial activity was tested by disk diffusion method.ResultsCrude extract of K. alvarezii was found not effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In contrast, A. paniculata showed higher inhibition towards the growth of Gram-positive bacteria compared to Gram-negative bacteria. Results revealed that Bacillus subtilis was susceptible at lower concentration of A. paniculata crude extract however Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most susceptible towards A. paniculata at higher concentration. Although the inhibition zones produced by the crude extract were smaller than that of the positive control, streptomycin disc, A. paniculata crude extract still can be considered as potential antimicrobial agents either because it is a natural product or the active compound which is yet identified from its crude extract.ConclusionsCrude extract of K. alvarezii has zero inhibition in bacteria growth whereas A. paniculata exerted higher inhibition towards Gram-positive bacteria. The bioactive compounds contained by A. paniculata can be evaluated in order to yield a better vision towards the mode of action.

Preparation and Activity of a Nanometer Anti-microbial Polyurethane

A novel way for photo-immobilization with interferon- α（IFN- α） on the surface of polyurethane （PU） material, which makes PU condom more effective function in the future, was investigated. A kind of photoactive arylazide-4-azidobenzoic acid was modified to IFN- α with the confirmation of IR and Raman spectrum. Micro morphology of the photo-immobilized cell factors was observed by FESEM as well as CSLM at the level of nanometer. Finally, the product with elementary test of anti-microbial was also evaluated.

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Evaluations of Its Cytotoxicity,Anti-microbial and Anti-hydroxyl Radical Activities of a New Co-crystal Compound(C6H6Cl2N2O2S)·(Phen)·H2O

Co-crystal is a very potential kind of drug solid forms, and has a far-reaching influence on designing and preparing drugs. A new 1：1：1 co-crystal compound consisting of 4-amino-3,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonamide, 1,10-phenanthroline and water was synthesized, and its crystal structure was characterized by X-ray diffraction method. The compositions of the co-crystal are self-assembled into a three-dimensional network structure via intermolecular interactions including hydrogen bonds, π-π stacking, Cl？？？Cl interactions and van der Waals＇ forces. According to the evaluations of cytotoxicity assays, anti-microbial and anti-hydroxyl radicals, this co-crystal is a potential drug.

Phytochemicals Screening, Phenolic Estimation and Evaluation for Anti-Oxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Microbial Activities of Sequentially Soxhlet Extracted Coconut Testa

Background: In many coconut industries, the outer layer of thin brown skin of coconut kernel known as testa is peeled out as a byproduct. Despite the testa is rich in fat and plenty of polyphenolic compounds, it has been underutilized either as animal feed, serving as raw materials for bio-diesel production or discarded directly. Anticipating coconut testa (CT) as a natural source of multiple phyto-chemicals, its exploitation for the pharmacological activity or utilization as value added product is required which may reduce the disposal costs as well. Methods: Secondary metabolites from CT were extracted sequentially with different organic solvents based on polarity in the soxhlet apparatus followed by extraction with sterilized water. The crude dried extracts thus prepared were evaluated for qualitative screening of phytochemicals and quantitative estimation of total phenols, flavonoids and tannin content. Moreover, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial activities were also investigated. Results: Phytochemicals screening revealed the presence of polyphenolic compounds in methanolic fraction including phenols (822.60 ± 16.36 mg/g), flavonoids (103.30 ± 9.78 mg/g) and tannin (663.50 ± 19.26 mg/g), whereas non-phenolic compounds were present in other fractions. While methanolic fraction showed invariably the highest anti-oxidant activity in multiple assay methods, non-phenolic compounds in aqueous and chloroform fractions exhibited high anti-inflammatory activity. Antimicrobial activity was observed by both phenolic and non-phenolic compounds. Conclusion: The findings of the study reveal that CT is a rich source of various polyphenolic and non-phenolic natural antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial compounds. These findings are promising and form the basis to identify the number of active components and their characterization.

Discussion on the Challenges Surrounding Anti-microbial Resistance,Using Relevant Case-study Examples

The advent of antimicrobial drugs has made a huge contribution to human society,but their commodity nature has given rise to behaviors such as abuse and overuse,leading to the emergence of resistance to antimicrobial drugs and other hazards.Nowadays,the structure of interests formed by various stakeholders in the market circulation of antimicrobial agents has become unbalanced,and government intervention as a breakthrough still faces many challenges.This paper discusses the AMR challenges of government intervention under the interest structure in the context of case studies in the Global North and the Global South areas from the point of view of human health in terms of stagnant R&D processes for novel antimicrobial drugs,a profit-oriented neoliberal atmosphere that mismatches production trends of antimicrobial drugs with market demand,the prevalence of private institutions lacking effective regulation,incomplete government interventions,and the difficulty of pursuing the WHO strategic plan on antimicrobial resistance,etc.

An expedient one-pot synthesis of highly substituted imidazoles using supported ionic liquid-like phase(SILLP) as a green and effcient catalyst and evaluation of their anti-microbial activity

An effcient method for the synthesis of imidazole derivatives by a three-component condensation of benzil or 9,10-phenanthrenequinone,aldehydes and ammonium acetate using supported ionic liquidlike phase（SILLP）catalyst under ultrasonic irradiation or classical heating conditions is reported.The present methodology offers several advantages,such as excellent yields,simple procedures,short reaction times,simple work-up and mild conditions.The catalyst is easily separated from the products by fltration and also exhibits remarkable reusable activity.These highly substituted imidazoles were also evaluated for their anti-microbial activity.

A state-of-the-art review on recent advances in the fabrication and characteristics of magnesium-based alloys in biomedical applications

Magnesium(Mg)and its alloys have recently gained increasing attention in the biomedical field as promising biodegradable materials with harmless degradation products.Magnesium-based alloys have a wide range of biomedical applications because of their outstanding biocompatibility and unique mechanical properties.Widespread use of Mg-based biomedical devices eliminates the need for post-healing biomaterial removal surgery and minimizes the negative consequences of the implantation of permanent biomaterials,including stress shielding and undesired metal ion release in the body.This paper provides a literature review on the properties and manufacturing methods of Mgbased alloys for biomedical applications,including orthopedic implants,cardiovascular applications,surgical wires and staplers,and antitumor activities.Each application of Mg-based biomaterials is investigated from a biological perspective,including matching functional properties,biocompatibility,host tissue responses,and anti-microbial strategies,along with potential additive manufacturing technologies for these applications.Finally,an outlook is presented to provide recommendations for Mg-based biomaterials in the future.

Utilization of Chinese Herbal Feed Additives in Animal Production

The experimental knowledge on efficacy,possible modes of action and aspects of application of Chinese herbs as feed additives for animal production are reviewed in this article.Chinese herbs commonly contain protein,carbohydrate,fat,vitamins,andmineral which are necessary nutrients to the growth of animal.Polysaccharide,organic acid,alkaloids,and essential oils involved in Chinese herbs can improve the immune function of livestock.Currently,numerous studies have demonstrated anti-oxidative and anti-microbial efficacy and the assumption that Chinese herbs may improve the flavor of meat,which has been confirmed by some observations,but the mode of this action is still unclear.Moreover,several observations support the hypothesis that herbal feed additives may favorably affect gut functions （e.g.,enzyme activity,microbial eubiosis） in vitro.Such effects may explain a considerable number of practical studies with livestock reporting improved production performance after providing herbal feed additives.In summary,available evidence indicates that herbal feed additives may have the potential to add to the set of non-antibiotic growth promoters for use in livestock,such as organic acids and probiotics.However,a systematic approach toward the efficacy,mode of action and safety of herbal compounds used as feed additives for animal production seems to be required in the future.

Antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic potential of condensed tannins from Leucaena leucocephala hybrid-Rendang

Condensed tannins(CTs)are one of the promising compounds due to their potentially health-promoting qualities.In this study,CTs were extracted from a Leucaena leucocephala hybrid-Rendang and subjected to various biological studies including antioxidant(using Ferric reducing antioxidant power(FRAP),DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assay),anti-microbial(against different pathogens)and cytotoxic activities(toward human breast adenocarcinoma(MCF-7),human colon carcinoma(HT29),human cervical carcinoma(HeLa)and human liver carcinoma(HepG2)cell lines)in cancer cells through in vitro experiments.The structural characteristics and purity of CTs extract were determined using 13C NMR.The results showed that CTs exhibited higher in vitro antioxidant activities(2257.12±80.55 mg TEAC/g extract,605.3±1.82 mg TEAC/g extract and 1014.03±1.20 mg TEAC/g extract in FRAP,ABTS and DPPH assay,respectively)and demonstrated anti-microbial activities toward selected Gram’s positive and Gram’s negative bacteria tested with MIC and MBC value at 6.25–50 mg/mL.Furthermore,among other selected cancer cells,CTs also demonstrated cytotoxic activity toward human breast cancer cells(MCF-7)(IC50=38.33±2.08mg/mL).Characteristic of apoptosis such as cell shrinkage,nuclear condensation and apoptotic bodies were shown in MCF-7.These preliminary investigations have provided scientific rationale to use CTs as an alternative therapy for various oxidative and inflammatory associated diseases.©2016 Beijing Academy of Food Sciences.Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.All rights reserved.

Antimicrobial Activity of Ulva reticulata and Its Endophytes

Seaweeds are known to exhibit various antimicrobial properties, since it harbours an enormous range of indigenous bioactive compounds. The emergence of drug resistant strains has directed to the identification of prospective metabolites from seaweed and its endophytes, thereby exploiting the properties in resisting bacterial diseases. The current study was aimed to assess the antimicrobial activity of extracts obtained from Ulva reticulate, for which metabolites of Ulva reticulata and its endophytes were extracted and assessed against human pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, and Bacillus subtilis. It was observed that the hexane extract of isolate VITDSJ2 was effective against all the tested pathogens but a significant inhibition was observed for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Further, Gas chromatography coupled with Mass spectroscopy （GC-MS） revealed the existence of phenol, 3, 5-bis （1, 1-dimethylethyl） in the crude hexane extract which is well-known to possess antibacterial activity. The effective isolate VITDSJ2 was identified to be the closest neighbour of Pseudomonas smtzeri by phenotypic and genotypic methods. The crude extracts of the seaweed Ulva reticulata was also screened for antibacterial activity and the hexane extract was effective in showing inhibition against all the tested pathogens. The compound in the crude extract of Ulva reticulata was identified as hentriacontane using GC-MS. The extracts obtained from dichloromethane did not show significant activity in comparison with the hexane extracts. Hence the metabolites of Ulva reticulata and the bacterial secondary metabolites of the endophytes could be used in the treatment of bacterial infections.

Function of the uropygial gland in eiders (Somateria mollissima)

Background:The uropygial gland is an exocrine gland located above the tail of birds that produces a diverse range of biochemicals.It has been hypothesized to be involved in chemical protection,water-proofing and maintenance of plumage brightness.Although these not necessarily mutually exclusive functions have received some empirical support,there has been little empirical research on the function of water-proofing.Methods:Here we analyzed data for 229 individual eiders(Somateria mollissima)collected by Danish hunters during 2016-2018.Results:The Eider is a sea-duck that spends almost its entire life in sea water emphasizing water-proofing of the plumage.The size of the uropygial gland increased with body mass in males,but not in females,and it increased with age.The size of the uropygial gland decreased during winter. Eiders with small uropygial glands grew their feathers at a fast rate.Eiders with large wing areas had large uropygial glands. Conclusions:These findings are consistent with large uropygial glands playing a role in water-proofing during molt and foraging, but also that uropygial glands may play a role in chemical defense.

COVID-19 Coronavirus: Is Infection along with <i>Mycoplasma</i>or Other Bacteria Linked to Progression to a Lethal Outcome?

Most patients with COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus recover from this infection, but a significant fraction progress to a fatal outcome. As with some other RNA viruses, co-infection or activation of latent bacterial infections along with pre-existing health conditions in COVID-19 disease may be important in determining a fatal disease course. Mycoplasma spp. (M. pneumonaie, M. fermentans, etc.) have been routinely found as co-infections in a wide number of clinical conditions, and in some cases this has progressed to a fatal disease. Although preliminary, Mycoplasma pneumoniae has been identified in COVID-19 disease, and the severity of some signs and symptoms in progressive COVID-19 patients could be due, in part, to Mycoplasma or other bacterial infections. Moreover, the presence of pathogenic Mycoplasma species or other pathogenic bacteria in COVID-19 disease may confer a perfect storm of cytokine and hemodynamic dysfunction, autoimmune activation, mitochondrial dysfunction and other complications that together cannot be easily corrected in patients with pre-existing health conditions. The positive responses of only some COVID-19 patients to antibiotic and anti-malaria therapy could have been the result of suppression of Mycoplasma species and other bacterial co-infections in subsets of patients. Thus it may be useful to use molecular tests to determine the presence of pathogenic Mycoplasma species and other pathogenic bacteria that are commonly found in atypical pneumonia in all hospitalized COVID-19 patients, and when positive results are obtained, these patients should treated accordingly in order to improve clinical responses and patient outcomes.

Antimicrobial potential of Terminalia chebula Retz. fruit extracts against ear pathogens

AIM： To evaluate the antimicrobial potential of Terminalia chebula （ T. chebula） extracts against pathogens causing otitis externa and compare it with ear drops.METHODS： Four different extracts, methanol, ethanol, acetone and aqueous （hot and cold） extracts, from the T. chebula were tested for their antimicrobial activity through the agar well diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration （MIC）/minimum bactericidal concentration （MBC） values were determined through the macrodilution broth method against six different microorganism, five bacterial （one gram positive and four gram negative） and one yeast.RESULTS： Organic and aqueous fruit extracts displayed activity against all fve tested bacterial ear pathogens with a maximum zone of inhibition of 31.6 mm against Staphylococcus aureus , followed by Acinetobacter sp. （24.6 mm）, Pseudomonas aeruginosa （23.6 mm）, Proteus mirabilis （21 mm） and Escherichia coli （19.3mm）. Of the four solvents evaluated, acetonic fruit extract of T. chebula was found to be best. The MIC values ranged between 0.78 mg/mL and 50 mg/mL for the different bacterial ear pathogens and MBC values ranged between 1.56 mg/mL and 50 mg/mL. The acetonic fruit extract showed larger inhibition zones compared to the herbal ear drops, Kan pip with lowest MIC of 0.78 mg/mL and MBC of 1.56 mg/mL.CONCLUSION： Acetonic extract of T. chebula fruit may be used to treat otitis externa. However, more detailed studies, such as in vivo testing and pharmacokinetics properties, are needed to determine its therapeutic potential.

Effect and Tolerability of the Combined Plant Extract (PAC) in Treatment of Acne Vulgaris

This study was undertaken to identify a new combined plant extract (PAC) intended to treat in patients with acne vulgaris. We detected strong antibacterial activities of Pinus densiflora leaf extract (LP) against Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) and anti-inflammatory effect of Artemisia annua L. extract (AA). To develop more effective agents in multiple targeting of the physiopathology of acne, a combination of three plant extracts (PAC), Pinus densiflora leaf extract (LP), Artemisia annua L. extract (AA), and Citrus junos fruit juice (FC), indicated anti-proliferative effect on P. acnes-induced HaCaT cells proliferation, was prepared mixing at ratio 2:1:1. PAC with MIC values of 2.25 mg/ml and 0.75 mg/ml against P. acnes and S. epidermidis was more active than LP (2.50 mg/ml and 1.00 mg/ml), was the most active of three extracts. PAC also showed more effective anti-inflammatory activity than a single plant extract in P. acnes-treated NF, HaCaT cells and LPS-treated Raw 264.7 cells. And then, we evaluated sebosuppressive effect of PAC on differentiation and lipogenesis of sebocytes. Results showed that PAC reduced sebum production and IGF-1-stimulated proliferation on sebocytes. In addition, PAC (final 2%) applied in a test product clinically decreased skin oil content, sebum output level, and the number of closed comedones and open comedones in a period of 4 weeks. The results of the studies demonstrate that PAC is clinically effective with anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, sebum protective properties for acne prone skin. These results suggest that in patients with acne, PAC can provide adjunctive care by targeting pathological factors including bacterial proliferation, inflammation and sebum production.

<i>Lactobacillus</i>sp.—A Threat to Pathogenic Microorganisms and Tumor Cells

Beneficial bacteria, often used as probiotics, play efficient role in providing protection against pathogenic microorganisms in humans. Probiotic bacteria like many Lactobacillus sp. (L. acidophilus, L. casei etc.), Bafidobacterium sp. Streptococcus thermophiles, Bacillus coagulans, etc. are beneficial and nowadays are used as supportive therapeutics. Even Lactobacillus is highlighted for showing the anticancer effects on some human cancer cells (cervical, gastric, colon, breast cancer). Some specific antibiotics like peptide antibiotic, Acidolin;some specific bacteriocins and some metabolites like H2O2, acetic acid, lactic acid produced by Lactobacillus sp. kill or inhibit other microorganisms mainly gram positive and gram negative bacteria, including both enteropathogens and spore formers. Proteins like Enterolisin A, Labyrintho peptin A2, etc. show promising anti-cancer activities. Lactobacillus has effective role in clinical and industrial fields. Clinically it is used to manufacture medicines, some hormones and industrially used for broad fermentations, etc. Studies are going on to use Lactobacillus in more broad ways, by improving strains, increasing specificity, making more effective and to find out some other characteristics to prepare them as more natural therapeutic modality.

Synthesis and Characterization of Pure and Ag-TiO2-Modified Diatomaceous Aluminosilicate Ceramic Membranes for Water Remediation

Mesoporous ceramic membranes were prepared from raw and modified diatomaceous earth alumi-nosilicate mineral precursors. The main modification component of the ceramic membranes was Ag-loaded TiO2 nanoparticles (STOX). Chemical and microstructural characterizations of the raw materials and the modified precursors were carried out using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE-IBA), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The precursors and membranes were prepared and subsequently subjected to a high temperature sintering treatment for physico-chemical modification and stability. Remediation functionalities of the ceramic membranes on water samples were studied using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), Total Bacterial Count Enumeration;Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), pH, and Electroconductivity (EC). Remediation experiments showed reductions in the concentration of certain cations such as Mg2+, Mn2+, Cd2+, Ni2+ and K+ by the modified ceramic membrane samples, while increased concentrations were observed for Ca2+, Na+ and Mg2+. The antimicrobial microfiltration process showed 100% bacterial removal and 70% fungi removal in most of the samples. Membranes exhibited good flux output from 5.607 L/hr·m2 (STOX-Z) to 39.245 L/hr·m2 (ZEO-T) under a pressure of 0.0196 MPa.

<i>Aloe vera</i>—Mechanisms of Action, Uses, and Potential Uses in Plastic Surgery and Wound Healing

Aloe vera has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. Clinical and experimental evidence indicates usefulness for skin moisturization, promoting wound healing, thermal skin injury, frostbite, and ischemic skin insults. Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory, antimicrobial, and proliferative actions, which have been investigated in various experimental models and in various in vitro studies. This extensive literature review of the properties and actions of Aloe vera finds substantial evidence for the reported and also likely clinical usefulness for Aloe vera in Plastic Surgery and in wound care and wound healing. Though further clinical investigation is warranted, Aloe vera use may likely be indicated in situations where its effects could positively influence outcomes, such as wound healing, flap vascularity, and inflammatory skin pathologies.