SHORT COMMUNICATIONA comparison of the leaf gel extracts of Aloe ferox and Aloe verain the topical treatment of atopic dermatitis in Balb/c miceM. J. Finberg 1 • G. L. Muntingh 1 • C. E. J. van Rensburg 2Received: 24 September 2015/Accepted: 16 October 2015/Published online: 28 October 2015? Springer Basel 2015Abstract Aloe vera gel is widely used in the treatment ofan array of disturbances, especially skin disorders. Thewound-healing effects have been attributed to its moisturiz-ing and anti-inf l ammatory effects as well as its benef i cialeffect on the maturation of collagen. The aim of the presentstudy is to compare the effects of topically applied extractsof Aloe ferox with that of Aloe vera on the symptoms as wellas IgE levels of a mouse model of atopic dermatitis (AD).Mice were sensitized and challenged with 2,4-dini-trochlorobenzene and treated afterwards for 10 consecutivedays with the gels of either A. ferox or A. vera appliedtopically to the affected areas. A placebo gel was used for thecontrol mice. Blood was collected at the beginning and endof the treatment period to measure serum IgE levels.Although the gels of both the Aloe species inhibited thecutaneous inf l ammatory response as well as serum IgE levelsin the rats, the extracts of A. ferox were superior to that ofA. vera in reducing IgE levels. The gels of A. ferox andA. vera, applied topically, may be a safe and useful alter-native to antihistamines and topical corticosteroids, for thetreatment of patients suffering from recurring chronic AD.Keywords Atopic dermatitis ? Topical treatment ?Aloe ferox ? Aloe veraIntroductionAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing cutaneousdisease characterized by dry and scaly skin, inf l ammation,and intense itching (Ellis et al. 2003). It affects up to 20 %of children in developed countries (Ashcroft 2005). Aworldwide increase in the incidence of atopic diseases hasbeen documented as far back as 1999 (Beltrani 1999). ADis associated with early IgE (immunoglobulin E) produc-tion and allergen/IgE reactivity and is characterized withitching, inf l ammation, and an exudation (Ellis et al. 2003).It has been suggested that there is a link between atopicdermatitis, asthma and allergic rhinitis (Ellis et al. 2003).Current topical and systemic treatments for AD are rea-sonably effective but are associated with inconvenient sideeffects. The f i rst-line treatments for the symptoms of ADare antihistamines and topical corticosteroids. However,antihistamines are associated with various side effects, themost serious of which is their sedative potential (Kay2000). Topical corticosteroids, on the other hand, areassociated with side effects such as atrophy, rosacea, acne,purpura, hyperglycaemia, glaucoma, perioral dermatitisand purpura (Arellano et al. 2007; Henge et al. 2006).Systemic application of corticosteroids is effective inrelieving the symptoms of AD but can only be adminis-tered once or twice annually because of long-term sideeffects such as osteopenia and cataracts (Sidbury andHanif i n 2000). There is therefore an urgent need for thedevelopment of effective but safer treatments for atopicdermatitis.The genus Aloe is used traditionally for the treatment ofan array of disturbances ranging from anorexia, dyspepsia,constipation and diseases of the liver, hypochondria andmania (Capasso et al. 1998). It is a tropical/subtropicalplant and has been used in the cosmetic as well as& C. E. J. van Rensburgconnie.medlen@up.ac.za1Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine,Faculty of Health Science, University of Pretoria,Pr? ´vate Bag X323, Arcadia, Pretoria 0007, South Africa2Off i ce of the Dean, Faculty of Health Science,University of Pretoria, Pr? ´vate Bag X323, Arcadia,Pretoria 0007, South AfricaInf l ammopharmacol (2015) 23:337–341DOI 10.1007/s10787-015-0251-2 Inf l ammopharmacology123
