Acemannan from Aloe Vera: A Promising Biological Agent for Osteoinductive Applications in Guided Bone Regeneration

Aim: This systematic review investigates the osteoconductive properties of acemannan, a principal polysaccharide derived from Aloe vera, in the context of guided bone regeneration (GBR). With the growing interest in biological agents for bone healing, this study aims to elucidate the role of acemannan in enhancing bone regeneration outcomes. Materials and methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple electronic databases such as Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2000 and 2023. Two independent researchers screened the literature, removing duplicates and irrelevant articles to focus on experimental studies, case reports, and clinical trials that specifically examined the effects of acemannan on bone regeneration. Results and discussion: From an initial pool of 185 studies retrieved, 16 eligible articles were selected for review, comprising nine experimental studies, four clinical trials, and two case reports/case series. The findings indicate that A. vera and acemannan promote osteogenic differentiation, reduce inflammation, and enhance bone healing, making them promising agents for dental and orthopedic applications. Conclusion: This review highlights the potential of acemannan and Aloe vera as effective biological agents in bone regeneration strategies. The evidence suggests that acemannan promotes osteogenic differentiation, reduces inflammation, and improves overall bone healing outcomes. Further research is warranted to explore its applications in clinical settings, particularly in enhancing GBR techniques.