Aloe Vera and Cinnamon Oil Gel for Healing Wounds with Antibacterial Benefits

Jenn Hoskins
6th June, 2024

Aloe Vera and Cinnamon Oil Gel for Healing Wounds with Antibacterial Benefits

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study by the Virtual University of Pakistan tested a gel combining cinnamon oil and aloe vera for treating chronic wounds
  • The gel effectively inhibited the growth of harmful bacteria at low concentrations
  • Wounds treated with the gel showed nearly full closure and improved healing indicators after 14 days
Chronic wounds, especially those that resist healing, pose a significant medical challenge. Such wounds can potentially lead to severe consequences, including the amputation of affected organs. With the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, traditional approaches to wound treatment are gaining renewed interest. A recent study conducted by the Virtual University of Pakistan explores the potential of a novel gel combining cinnamon oil (CO) and aloe vera (AV) for treating chronic wounds[1]. Cinnamon oil and aloe vera have long been recognized for their antibacterial properties. This study evaluates the antibacterial and wound healing efficacy of a combined CO and AV gel (COVA) through both in vitro (lab-based) and in vivo (live animal) experiments. The antibacterial activity was measured using disk diffusion and agar dilution methods against two common bacterial strains, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, the study utilized a diabetic excision wound healing rat model to assess the wound healing capabilities of the COVA gel. The findings showed that the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the CO and AV combination were 100 µg/ml for P. aeruginosa and 200 µg/ml for S. aureus. This indicates that the COVA gel effectively inhibits the growth of these bacteria at relatively low concentrations. In the in vivo studies, wounds treated with the COVA gel exhibited nearly full closure (79% wound contraction) after 14 days, significantly outperforming the control group. Several key parameters were monitored to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment. These included wound closure, wound contraction, tissue hydroxyproline content (a marker of collagen), antioxidant capacity (TAC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The results demonstrated a significant increase in collagen content and TAC in the treated groups, indicating enhanced tissue repair and antioxidant activity. Conversely, the MDA levels, which are indicative of oxidative stress, were significantly reduced in the COVA-treated wounds compared to control groups. Histopathological examination further supported these outcomes, showing improved tissue structure and healing in the COVA-treated wounds. The hydroxyproline levels were notably higher in the COVA treatment group (37.1 ± 0.44), underscoring the gel's efficacy in promoting collagen synthesis and, consequently, wound healing. These findings align with previous studies that have highlighted the benefits of cinnamon essential oil in wound healing. For instance, cinnamon essential oil has been shown to possess strong antimicrobial properties, which can accelerate wound healing by reducing bacterial load and inflammation[2]. Another study demonstrated that cinnamon essential oil, when combined with EDTA, exhibited synergistic effects against bacterial and fungal pathogens, suggesting its potential as a powerful antimicrobial agent[3]. Moreover, the use of traditional and alternative medicine in wound care is not new. Historical evidence shows that substances like honey have been used extensively in wound management with excellent results[4]. The current study builds on this knowledge by combining two well-known traditional agents, CO and AV, into a single therapeutic gel. In conclusion, the study conducted by the Virtual University of Pakistan demonstrates that the combination of cinnamon oil and aloe vera in a gel formulation can effectively inhibit bacterial growth and significantly enhance wound healing. This approach not only leverages the antibacterial properties of both agents but also promotes tissue repair through increased collagen synthesis and antioxidant activity. Given the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance, such traditional remedies offer promising alternatives for chronic wound management.

MedicineHealthBiochem

References

Main Study

1) Evaluation of Aloe Vera Gel Combined with Cinnamon Oil with Antibacterial Activity for Wound Healing Application.

Published 4th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1177/15347346241259102

Related Studies

2) Topical application of Cinnamon verum essential oil accelerates infected wound healing process by increasing tissue antioxidant capacity and keratin biosynthesis.

https://doi.org/10.1002/kjm2.12120

3) Antimicrobial effects of cinnamon essential oil and cinnamaldehyde combined with EDTA against canine otitis externa pathogens.

https://doi.org/10.1111/jam.14298

4) Wound care with traditional, complementary and alternative medicine.

https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-0358.101331


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