Author(s):
Abdalsalam Kmail, Hazem Sawalha, Saad Al Lahham, Muhammad Asif Hanif, Rabee Zayed
Email(s):
abdalsalam.kmail@aaup.edu
DOI:
10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00591 
Address:
Abdalsalam Kmail1*, Hazem Sawalha1, Saad Al Lahham2, Muhammad Asif Hanif3, Rabee Zayed1
1Faculty of Sciences, Arab American University Jenin, P. O. Box 240, Jenin, Palestine.
2Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University. Box 7, Nablus, Palestine.
3Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 19,
Issue - 9,
Year - 2026
ABSTRACT:
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) represents a persistent disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, characterized by increasing global incidence and substantial clinical impact. Aloe vera, traditionally employed in Palestinian ethnomedicine, has shown therapeutic promise, though its mechanistic contributions to IBD treatment remain inadequately defined. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory efficacy of Aloe vera gel extract (AEGE) in vitro, utilizing human colon epithelial (Caco-2) and monocyte (THP-1) cell lines—both independently and in a 1:1 coculture model designed to simulate intestinal pathophysiology. AEGE was derived by homogenizing the inner gel along with latex components to preserve anthraquinone constituents. The extract was applied at non-cytotoxic concentrations (16.125–250µg/mL) to TNF-a-activated cell cultures. Quantitative analysis of cytokine secretion and phytochemical profiling—including polyphenol and flavonoid quantification and antioxidant capacity assessment—were performed. AEGE demonstrated a dose-responsive suppression of key pro-inflammatory cytokines. Notably, in the coculture system, IL-6 and IL-1ß levels were reduced by 84% and 90%, respectively, at the highest concentration. IL-8 expression was also significantly inhibited. Interestingly, IL-10, typically associated with anti-inflammatory signaling, was downregulated by 74%, indicating a nuanced immunomodulatory profile. Phytochemical evaluation revealed high levels of polyphenols (24 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (10.3mg CE/g), alongside robust antioxidant activity (ORAC: 17.2mmol TE/g). These results underscore AEGE’s potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in vitro, particularly within a coculture system that closely approximates the intestinal milieu. The data support further exploration of AEGE’s molecular targets and signaling pathways as a potential therapeutic strategy for IBD.
Cite this article:
Abdalsalam Kmail, Hazem Sawalha, Saad Al Lahham, Muhammad Asif Hanif, Rabee Zayed. Modulation of Cytokine Production by Aloe vera gel Extract in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Insights from Caco-2 and THP-1 Coculture System. Research Journal Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(9):.4230-0 doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00591
Cite(Electronic):
Abdalsalam Kmail, Hazem Sawalha, Saad Al Lahham, Muhammad Asif Hanif, Rabee Zayed. Modulation of Cytokine Production by Aloe vera gel Extract in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Insights from Caco-2 and THP-1 Coculture System. Research Journal Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(9):.4230-0 doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00591 Available on: https://www.rjptonline.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-19-9-37
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