Evaluating the influence of Aloe barbadensis extracts on edema induced changes in C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 in albino rats through in vivo and in silico approaches

Abstract

The current study investigated the in-vivo and in-silico anti-inflammatory effect of Aloe barbadensis in edema induced rat and its blood biomarkers. 60 albino rats (160-200 g) were divided into 4 groups. The 1st group (control) comprised of 6 rats that were treated with saline. The 2nd group (standard) comprised of 6 rats that were treated with diclofenac. The 3rd and 4th experimental groups consisted of 48 rats, treated with A. barbadensis gel ethanolic and aqueous extracts respectively at doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg. According to paw sizes, groups III and IV showed 51% and 46% inhibition respectively at the 5th hour, as compared to group II with 61% inhibition. Correlation was negative between biomarkers in group III, while, positive in group IV. Blood samples were collected; C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 were measured using commercially available ELISA kits. Similarly, biomarkers showed significant effect in dose-dependent manner. In molecular docking, for CRP both ligands aloe emodin and emodin showed –7.5 kcal/mol binding energy as compared to diclofenac with –7.0 kcal/mol. For IL-1beta, both ligands showed –4.7 kcal/mol binding energy as compared to diclofenac –4.4 kcal/mol. Hence, we concluded that A. barbadensis extracts can be used as an effective drug for managing inflammation.