Antiviral activity
Many reports have suggested that A. vera gel has antiviral activity
that prevent virus adsorption, attachment, or entry to the
host cell. An in vitro study has shown that crude extract of A. vera
gel has antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 2
strain.74 Anthraquinone derivatives, such as Aloe-emodin, emodin,
and chrysophanol, reportedly exhibit antiviral activity wherein
their inhibitory mechanism and effect against influenza A virus
with reducing virus-induced cytopathic effect and inhibiting
replication of influenza A.75 Preliminary trials have suggested that
A. vera consumption may be of help to HIV-infected individuals as it
improves the immune system by increasing the CD4 count.76 Many
methods have been developed for the successful transformation
and regeneration of A. vera wherein Aloe able to produced IFNa2.
This experiment was assessed using an antiviral assay with A549
cells wherein these cells treated with extracts from both the rind
and pulp fractions of the shoot and subsequently infected with the
lytic Encephalomyocarditis virus. This experiment demonstrated
that A. vera was capable of expressing a human protein with its
biological activity namely interferon alpha 2 (IFNa2).77