Wound healing potentials of Aloe vera (L.) Burm. leaf gel on devastated stem barks of Gongronema latifolium Benth.

This paper examined the efficacy of Aloe vera gel as a wound healing agent on devastated stem barks of Gongronema latifolium caused by garden snail pests: Helix aspersa and Rumunia decollata. The healing and sealing of wounds makes topical Aloe as an important product for assistance in the healing of cuts, scrapes and even skin ulcers which may be due to synergistic action between the biologically active ingredients present in the Aloe vera leaf gel. Raw mucilaginous gel (100%) used in this study was obtained from the leaves and applied topically twice daily on the affected plant parts for seven (7) consecutive days. The result showed that the plants receiving A. vera gel had a significant improvement in the symptom, compared with the non-Aloe vera plant (control). Also, the gel initiated the growth of new branches to continue the life of the plants, and it is thought to mimic the healing function of Quince Seed Mucilage (QSM) as a healing agent. In conclusion, A. vera leaf gel extract has the potential to satisfy all the requirements of an ideal dressing material in that it provides an environment at the surface of the wound in which healing take place at the maximum rate. The use of A. vera preparations is encouraged in the traditional medicinal system to promote wound healing. Also, the cultivation of G. latifolium should be maximized in order to conserve it being an endangered plant species.