Acemannan Hydrogel was marketed in the US as a wound healing agent for the care of
ulcers, burns and post-surgical incisions. Acemannan is a complex water soluble polymanno-
galacto acetate isolated from Aloe vera by alcohol precipitation and purified by
filtration to limit the size of the polysaccharide polymers. Pharmacological studies
demonstrated immunostimulatory activity through the activation of monocytes and
macrophages triggering enhanced secretion of cytokines such as interferon, interleukins,
TNF-alpha, GM-CSF and some prostaglandins. It was proposed that the adjuvant activity
of this agent could be partly related to its ability to induce phenotypic and functional
maturation of immature dendritic cells. In normal healthy males, acemannan administered
orally up to 3200 mg/day for 6 days did not show any acute oral toxicity. Acemannan is
currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of AIDS.
Carrington Laboratories (US)
Antiviral; immunomodulator.
Acemannan is an polysaccharide found in the leaves of Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) plant, and is used in a variety of Aloe Vera products.
Carraklenz Wound &Skin Cleanser (Carrington); Carrisyn (Carrington); Snow &
Sun Sports Gel (Carrington).
Veterinary Drugs and Treatments
Veterinary acemannan injection is labeled for use in dogs or cats as
an aid in the treatment (i.e., surgery) and clinical management of
fibrosarcoma. It has been used to treat FeLV, FIV, and FIP infections
in cats but clinical efficacy has not been adequately proven by controlled
clinical studies. It reportedly has been used in horses, but no
specific information on this was located.
