In vitro evaluation of the anti-melanoma effects (A375 cell line) of the gel and whole leaf extracts from selected aloe species

Introduction: Melanoma is one of the most common occurring malignancies in humans. The melanoma response rate to the standard anticancer drug, dacarbazine, is relatively low. Medicinal plants have traditionally been used to treat cancer, amongst other diseases. The inner gel of the leaves of aloe plants have been applied topically on the skin for treatment of a variety of conditions including skin cancer.& nbsp;Methods: In this study, MTT assays were performed on A375 melanoma cells for A. vera, A. ferox and A. muth-muth gel and whole leaf materials to determine their IC50 values. In addition, clonogenic assays were carried out to determine the cytostatic effect of the selected aloe materials on A375 melanoma cell colony formation.& nbsp;Results and discussion: Some of the aloe plant materials investigated (i.e. A. vera gel, A. muth-muth and A. ferox whole leaf extract) exhibited selectivity index (SI) values higher than 2, which means these plant materials were more active against cancerous cells than against non-cancerous cells. All of the selected aloe materials investigated in this study significantly decreased the number of A375 cell colonies formed when compared to the untreated control group. A. vera gel showed relatively high anti-melanoma activity against A375 cells in vitro, but its selectivity was much lower than that of dacarbazine.& nbsp;Conclusion: These in vitro studies identified the potential anti-melanoma effects of A. vera gel in A375 cells, but it should be followed up with in vivo studies to be conclusive in terms of its efficacy in the treatment of skin cancer.

Automated summary

The gel of aloe plants has demonstrated significant anti-melanoma effects on A375 cells in vitro, but further in vivo studies are needed to confirm its efficacy in the treatment of skin cancer.