We studied the effects of aqueous, chloroform, and ethanol extracts of Aloe vera gel on carrageenan-induced edema
in the rat paw, and neutrophil migration into the peritoneal cavity stimulated by carrageenan. We also studied the
capacity of the aqueous extract to inhibit cyclooxygenase activity. The aqueous and chloroform extracts decreased the
edema induced in the hind-paw and the number of neutrophils migrating into the peritoneal cavity, whereas the
ethanol extract only decreased the number of neutrophils. The antiinflammatory agents indomethacin and dexam-
ethasone also decreased carrageenan-induced edema and neutrophil migration. The aqueous extract inhibited
prostaglandin E 2 production from [~4C]arachidonic acid. The chemical tests performed in the aqueous extract for
anthraglycosides, reductor sugars and cardiotonic glycosides were positive. In the ethanol extract, the chemical tests
performed for saponins, carbohydrates naftoquinones, sterols, triterpenoids and anthraquinones were also positive. In
the chloroform extract, the chemical tests performed for sterols type A 5, and anthraquinones were positive. These
results demonstrated that the extracts of Aloe vera gel have antiinflammatory activity and suggested its inhibitory
action on the arachidonic acid pathway via cyclooxygenase.