Evaluation of the safety and healing potential of a fibroin-aloe gel film for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers

Objective: This study aimed to develop a wound dressing prepared from the blending of silkworm fibroin and aloe gel extract for use in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Methods: Fibroin extracted from silkworm cocoons and aloe gel extract were dissolved in deionised water. pH levels were then adjusted with lactic acid solution. A simple casting technique was used to obtain the fibroin–aloe gel film. The surface morphology, hardness, flexibility and infrared spectrum of the sterilised film were tested. Swelling ratio was measured from changes in weight. The cytocompatibility of the film to human dermal fibroblast was determined using XTT assay. Hard-to-heal DFUs (grade I Wagner score) were treated with the film for four weeks. The application site was assessed for allergic reactions and/or sensitisation. Wound size was measured using standardised digital photography. Results: A total of five hard-to-heal DFUs were treated. The obtained film sterilised with ozonation showed a non-porous structure. The elongation at break and tensile strength of the wet film were 9.00±0.95% and 6.89±1.21N, respectively. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy data indicated the presence of amides I, II and III, of peptide linkage, which are the chemical characteristics of the fibroin. Functional groups relating to healing activity of the aloe gel extract were also found. The swelling ratio of the film immersed in water for 24 hours was 0.8±0.01. In three DFUs (40–50mm2 in size), a wound area reduction of 0.4–0.8mm2/day was observed and were healed in 2–3 weeks. The remaining two SFUs (500mm2 in size) showed a wound area reduction of 4mm2/day and were almost closed at four weeks. No allergic reaction or infection was observed in any of the wounds. Conclusion: The obtained film showed a non-porous structure, and its strength and flexibility were adequate for storage and handling. The film tended to increase the proliferation of fibroblasts. The wound dressing showed potential for accelerating the healing rate of DFUs.

Evaluation of Fermented Extracts of Aloe vera Processing Byproducts as Potential Functional Ingredients

Aloe is widely used as a cosmetic and medicinal plant. Numerous studies have reported that aloe gel extract has antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, immunity, and skin antiaging properties. However, few studies have investigated the properties of fermentation products of aloe processing byproducts. Aloe stalks and leaves remain as byproducts after the aloe beverage manufacturing process. This study evaluated whether fermentation products of blender and press extracts of aloe processing byproducts (BF and PF, respectively) that remain after beverage manufacturing were useful as functional biomaterial by investigating their effects on adipocyte differentiation, hyaluronic acid (HA) production, tyrosinase activity, and antioxidant activity. Co-fermentation of G. xylinus and S. cerevisiae was conducted for fermentation of aloe processing byproducts. The BF and PF products did not induce observable cytotoxicity effects. However, BF and PF products did inhibit a 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation compared with control, with the BF product displaying greater inhibition of 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation than the PF product. HA production increased in HaCaT cell cultures as the concentration of the MF product increased, as compared with the untreated control. The levels of tyrosinase inhibition, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity also depended on the MF product concentration. This study indicates that the fermented products of aloe processing byproducts have biological potential for applications in the manufacturing of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. These laboratory bench results provide the foundation for future studies of scaling and practical applications at the industrial level.

Aloe-Gel Coating for Delaying Physicochemical Change of Fresh-Cut Mango

Fresh-cut arumanis mango is current popular product, stimulated by lifestyle and community needs for quality fruit with little preparation. Stripping and cutting spur the damage of fresh-cut mangoes faster than whole mangoes. Aloe vera gel coating as an alternative to maintain the characteristics of fresh-cut mangoes and extend shelf life. This study aims to delaying the physicochemical change of fresh-cut mango with aloe vera edible coating. The design used is a completely randomized design (CDR) of two factors, namely the ratio of dilution of aloe vera gel with aquadest 1:0, 1:1 and 1:2. Factor II, duration of immersion 1, 2 and 3 minutes with observations on the 5th and 10th days stored at cold temperatures (7± 1) °C. Observation variables include physical properties, namely weight loss, color and texture. Whereas observations of chemical properties, namely pH, total solubvle solid, water content and vitamin C. The best results were obtained in a combination of 1:1 aloe vera gel with 3 minutes immersion with a weight loss value of 1.40%, color b (∆E) 63.12, texture 6.82N, pH 4.65, TSS 24.60°Brix, moisture content 83.51% and vitamin C 35.60mg/100g).

Recubrimientos para heridas con Aloe-gel combinado con alginato, pectina y quitosano: aplicaciones in vivo

La recuperación de las heridas en la piel es un proceso complejo e interrelacionado que se desarrolla a través de varias fases (hemostasia, inflamatoria, proliferativa y remodelación). El Aloe-gel (AG) ha sido considerado un biomaterial que puede coadyuvar en la modulación, regeneración y aceleración de la recuperación del tejido celular dañado e incluso se ha recomendado para su aplicación en heridas o quemaduras superficiales de tipo cutáneas.Debido a lo anterior, se ha promovido el uso del AG como un importante biomaterial que puede ser utilizado en la fabricación de recubrimientos para heridas (RH). Sin embargo, su aplicación directa sobre las heridas presenta desventajas, ya que puede inducir a deshidratación en la zona, rápida oxidación de sus fitoconstituyentes y baja proporción de solutos. Una estrategia que puede ayudar a conservar su actividad biológica y a sus componentes inalterados y funcionales, es su incorporación hacia matrices de polisacáridos como el alginato, pectina y quitosano. Aunque existen ya algunos biomateriales de esta mezcla que se han propuestos como RH, su aplicación en modelos in vivo es aún limitado. Por lo anterior, la presente revisión pretende documentar el desarrollo de RH con AG incorporado en polisacáridos y sus efectos en la recuperación de heridas in vivo.