Abstract
Aloe vera is commonly used as traditional medicine for cutaneous wound healing. Nonetheless,
the wound healing mechanisms of Aloe vera remain unclear. This review aims to provide insight into the molecular mechanisms
of Aloe vera in promoting cutaneous wound healing, with particular emphasis on the mechanisms
that stimulate cell proliferation and migration. Aloe vera has been shown to upregulate growth factors such as keratinocyte growth factor-1
(KGF-1), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), cyclin D1, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), vascular endothelial growth factor
(VEGF), basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF), and microfibril-associated glycoprotein
4 (MFAP4), as well as collagen, fibrillin, elastin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), integrins, and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1, also
known as CD31), while downregulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).
In addition,
Aloe vera was also found to upregulate PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways, as well as the TGF-β signalling pathway via Smad proteins. Furthermore, molecular docking studies revealed
that certain chemical constituents of Aloe vera bind to some of the forementioned growth factors or signalling molecules. With regards
to current applications, although human clinical trials have reported positive results
from using Aloe vera in healing open wounds and burns and alleviating some inflammatory skin diseases,
the current commercial uses of Aloe vera remain largely focused on cosmetic products. Thus, greater advances are required
to promote the use of Aloe vera products in clinical settings.
Keywords
Aloe vera
- Liliaceae - wound healing - mechanism - chemical constituent - industrial use
