Aloe-emodin is an anthraquinone bioactive ingredient extracted from traditional Chinese medicines such as aloe, rhubarb, and cassia seed. It has cardiovascular protection, liver protection, anti-tumor, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and skin Pharmacological effects such as conditioning, immune regulation, and diarrhea.
1. Cardiovascular protection
1. 1 Scavenging effect of oxygen free radicals
The scavenging effect of aloe-emodin on superoxide anion free radicals (O²﹣), the results show that the IC50 of aloe-emodin to superoxide anion free radicals is 6. 8 mg·L － 1, and aloe-emodin affects oxygen-free radicals. The clearance capacity is dose-dependent.
1. 2 lowering blood pressure
Aloe-emodin decreased the mean arterial blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner at a dose of 0.5, 1, 3 mg·kg -1; at a dose of 3 mg·kg -1, the arterial blood pressure decreased by 79%.
1. 3 Potential effects of regulating blood lipids
Aloe-emodin has the effect of scavenging oxygen free radicals, making it possible to regulate blood lipids.
2 Hepatoprotective effect
Aloe-emodin can not only prevent liver cell death but also have a certain protective effect on inflammation after lipid peroxidation, suggesting that aloe-emodin may be used in the treatment of fatty liver and other liver diseases.
3 Anti-tumor effect
Aloe-emodin has a wide range of anti-tumor activities. It has effects on leukemia, glioma, pharyngeal cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer and breast cancer and other tumors. It can also exert its effects by inducing cell apoptosis and anti-metastasis. Anti-cancer effect, therefore, is expected to become clinically important anti-tumor drugs.
4 Anti-pathogenic microorganisms and anti-inflammatory effects
Aloe-emodin may become a new anti-inflammatory drug, especially for the treatment of severe pancreatitis.
5 Skin conditioning effect
Aloe-emodin can significantly inhibit the proliferation of human keratinocytes and induce keratinocyte apoptosis.
6 Regulation of the body’s immune function
Aloe-emodin can enhance the phagocytosis of macrophages and can induce the expression of cytokines mRNA including interleukin 1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor, and interferon in white blood cells, thereby enhancing the body’s immune function.
