Objective To investigate the effects of
polysaccharide extracted from Aloe Barbadensis on the release of cytokines and nitric
oxide (NO) in cultured human keratinocytes. Methods The levels of transforming growth factor-α(TGF-α), TGF-β1, interleukin-1β(IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8. tumor necrosis factor(TNF) and NO in the supernatants of keratinocyte culture in which culture media containing 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 μg/ml, respectively of
aloe polysaccharide were assayed. In the control group equal volume of media without the
Polysaccharide was used. Results Compared with control group, the levels of TGF-α, TGF -β1, IL - 1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF in the supernatants of cultured keratinocytes were significantly higher when aloe polysaccharide was added (P<0. 05 or P<0. 01), and they were positively correlated to the concentration of aloe polysaccharide (P<0. 01). However, aloe polysaccharide markedly decreased the level of NO in a dose dependent manner (P<0. 01). Conclusion Aloe polysaccharide could promote keratinocytes to secrete TGF-α, TGF-β1, IL-1β, IL - 6, IL - 8 and TNF, and inhibit the release of NO.