Aloe has been considered a miraculous plant for over 5000 years and has played an important role in the pharmacology of various peoples who have benefited from its countless properties to heal themselves and their animals. Thanks to the numerous active substances it contains, it performs many functions beneficial to the health of the body.
In Aloe arborescens, we can identify more than 250 active ingredients and functional substances that work synergistically, making it the queen of medicinal plants.
In the ALOEPLUS® line, each product contains the powerful combination of Aloe arborescens and Carrot. Why this choice? Because the synergy between carrot and Aloe arborescens has a greater therapeutic effect than the individual components alone; in practice, Aloe enhances its therapeutic action even more when combined with carrot. This blend was patented in 2006 by the Ministry of Productive Activities as a “plant mixture with important therapeutic, energetic, and cosmetic properties.”
Let’s analyze specifically the main and most important properties of Aloeplus and the effects they have on the bodies of dogs and cats.
Anti-inflammatory action*
The anti-inflammatory action of Aloe is undoubtedly the most observed and documented property. Aloe has a soothing and calming effect on inflamed and painful tissues, with an intensity comparable to steroidal anti-inflammatories but without producing side effects.
The anti-inflammatory activity of Aloe is due to three plant sterols: lupeol, beta-sitosterol, and campesterol. This results in the inhibition of type 2 prostaglandins and cholesterol synthesis in lymphocytes, which would otherwise accumulate in large numbers to fight the invading agent, causing the typical swollen and inflamed appearance.
Through Acemannan, the production of macrophages is stimulated by their ability to phagocytize or engulf molecules or organisms incompatible with proper metabolic function, helping to reduce obvious swelling effects.
The intervention is further supported by the enzyme bradykinase, which participates in the complex organic system of pain management by inhibiting the formation of kinins, including bradykinin and interleukin, molecules produced by the body as a primary response to imminent inflammation.
Immunomodulating action*
This action is carried out by glucomannans, a class of long-chain sugars derived from plants, which have been shown in clinical and laboratory studies to have a wide variety of protective and immune-stimulating effects within the human body. Studies of various sources of this polymer have found that Aloe arborescens plants contain the highest concentration of acetylated mannan found in nature, and it is also in the most active form available.
The biological mode of action of acemannan has been described, demonstrating its excellent ability to normalize all processes of bodily damage and thus significantly contribute to enhancing immune system functions.
At the intestinal level, glucomannan acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory and neutralizer of many enzymes responsible for damaging the mucosal lining; it functions like a fire extinguisher, calming the inflammation. This occurs due to a reduction in leaks in the intestinal wall and decreased absorption of proteins that in turn trigger allergic reactions in the body. Acemannan therefore exhibits direct antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, helping the body control the overgrowth of Candida Albicans and restore normal gastrointestinal function.
Acemannan, aided by anthraquinones, also stimulates intestinal motility, helping to remove allergenic proteins from the small intestine to the colon. All these reactions lead to normalization of the functions and structure of the gastrointestinal lining, thus breaking the vicious cycle of immune system damage. Acemannan also has a significant direct effect on the immune system by activating and stimulating macrophages, monocytes, antibodies, and T cells.
Laboratory studies have shown that acemannan acts as a bridge between foreign proteins, such as virus particles, and macrophages, facilitating the ingestion of proteins by macrophages through phagocytosis. Activation of this receptor site is a key component in boosting cell-mediated immunity, which is deficient in FIV infections. It increases the number and activity of macrophages, killer T cells, and monocytes. It also increases antibody-producing beta cells in the pancreas and protects the spinal cord from damage caused by toxic chemical agents. These various effects, which at first glance might seem unrelated and diverse, are actually due to a single simple process at the cellular membrane level.
Acemannan, a mucopolysaccharide, is a long-chain sugar that interacts with itself and the cell membrane. This increases membrane fluidity and permeability, allowing toxins to flow out easily and nutrients to enter the cell just as easily. The result is improved cellular metabolism and an overall increase in energy production. The vicious cycle of poor digestion and cellular malnutrition is broken. In this way, acemannan normalizes nutrient absorption and raises the tolerance threshold to allergenic foods. The immune system is now stronger, under control, and better prepared for a new attack.
Wound healing and re-epithelialization action*
This action generally complements the anti-inflammatory effect by facilitating wound healing and re-epithelialization. However, the reaction mechanisms are quite different. While the inflammatory response tends to create inhibitory reactions, wound healing involves the opposite phenomenon, stimulating cells responsible for tissue formation and repair. Wound absorption is promoted by at least two factors. The first is that some high molecular weight active ingredients, composed of long chains of a sugar called mannose and forming glucomannans, stimulate macrophage activity. Cell and tissue growth is favored, along with the proliferation of fibroblasts, the precursors of epithelial cells. Glucomannan also interacts with specific receptors on the surface of cells assigned to repair damaged or injured tissues. Finally, this polysaccharide, with its multifaceted properties, increases collagen synthesis and speeds up re-epithelialization. The second factor in wound healing is the action of plant hormones, gibberellins and auxins, present in Aloe, which stimulate cell reproduction.
Antibiotic action*
Aloe possesses an extraordinary natural antibiotic power. This tough and selective work is carried out impeccably by various anthraquinone glycosides such as aloin and aloetic acid. In reality, under the supervision of acemannan, which prepares tissues to receive anthraquinones, aloemodin and the enzyme bradykinase can safely perform their antibiotic, bactericidal, and germicidal activities thanks to their coordinated cytotoxicity after protecting the cytoplasm.
The immune system is thus involved in a rapid reaction against external pathogenic attacks, producing more macrophages, interferon, and interleukins.
Pain-relieving action*
The analgesic activity in Aloe is mainly provided by three different molecules, all somewhat related to the beneficial potential of anthracenes and anthraquinones on cells. An enzyme is also involved.
These are the ester of cinnamic acid, isobarbaloin, and salicylic acid. The enzyme involved is bradykinase. The ester is found in high concentrations in camphor and cinnamon essential oils and has a cleansing action, as its molecular structure closely resembles that of soaps, which are esters of fatty acids.
The second molecule is one of Aloe’s bitter compounds, and the third is a natural anesthetic derived from the willow tree, similar to the well-known acetylsalicylic acid, i.e., Aspirin.
Added to these is the action of the enzyme bradykinase. It stimulates the immune system, particularly increasing macrophages, and is part of the complex pain system, where it exerts an analgesic effect. It inhibits bradykinin, responsible for pain and post-traumatic swelling, which is triggered by lysosomal enzymes after a significant loss of granulocyte macrophages that failed to block foreign bodies entering the organism. When used topically, Aloe and the bradykinase enzyme it contains are simultaneously effective pain relievers and anti-inflammatories.
These four compounds work synergistically to support the main actions of acemannan, which manages the healing process as a whole.
*This article is based on scientific texts, university studies, and clinical trials. It does not intend to create false hopes or promise miraculous cures; each organism reacts differently, so results may vary from animal to animal. It is always recommended to consult your veterinarian.
– Bruce W.G.G. 1975. Medicinal properties in the Aloe. Excelsa 57-58
– Kodym, A., 1991. The main chemical components contained in fresh leaves and in a dry extract from three years old Aloe Arborescens Mill. grown in hothouses Pharmazie 46, 217-219
-Yamamoto, M., Masui, T,. Sugiyama, K., Yokota., Nagakomi, K., Nazakawa, H., 1991. Anti-inflammatory active constituents of Aloe Arborescens Miller
-Biochemical and Cellular Approach to Explore the Antiproliferative and Prodifferentiative Activity of Aloe Arborescens Leaf Extract
(Blanda Di Luccia,1 Nicola Manzo,1 Maria Vivo,1 Eugenio Galano,2 Angela Amoresano,2 Elvira Crescenzi,4 Alessandra Pollice,1 Raffaella Tudisco,3 Federico Infascelli3 and Viola Calabrò1)
1Department of Structural and Functional Biology, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Naples, Italy
2Department of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Naples, Italy
3Department of Animal Science and Food Inspection, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Naples, Italy
4Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology, CNR, via S. Pansini, 580131, Naples, Italy
-Brossant, J.Y., Ledeaut, J., Ralamboranto, L., Rakotovao, L.H. Solar, S., Gueguen, A., Coulanges, P., 1981. Immunostimulating properties of an extract isolated from Aloe vahombe. Archives Institut Pasteur Madagascar 48, 11-34
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