Ethnopharmacological communicationIn vitro anti inflammatory activity of Aloe vera by down regulation of MMP-9 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Aim of the studyThe anti-inflammatory activity of Aloe vera was investigated through MMP inhibition studies. The effect of Aloe vera on MMP-9 inhibition was tested on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).Materials and methodsPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from the heparinised venous blood by Ficoll Diatrizoate gradient centrifugation. The cell count and viability was determined using dye exclusion technique. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay. Activation of MMP-9 was visualized by gelatin zymography. Inhibition of MMP-9 in the presence of aqueous extract of Aloe vera was detected by gelatin zymography and confirmed by RT-PCR.ResultsPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) showed significant inhibition in the activity of MMP-9, indicating the in vitro inhibitory effect of Aloe vera on MMP-9. Zymographic analysis and RT-PCR showed that it caused a significant reduction in the production of MMP-9 in a concentration dependent manner.ConclusionThe inhibition of MMP-9 production in the cells was detected by gelatin zymography and was confirmed by RT-PCR.

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