Mucilage is a different storage form. All polysaccharides are not the same. When mucilage is placed over a wound, the wound remains moist and does not drop as does dry wounds. Epidermal and fibroblast growth factors come from the mucilage and stimulate the fibroblast directly for growth and repair. The cells as a result migrate within the wound in a proper manner to increase wound healing.
Mucilage is also a good anti-inflammatory agent.
Some polysaccharides are immune stimulatory and this immune property improves wound healing probably through the macrophage. The big polysaccharides appear to be immune stimulatory whereas the smaller ones have anti-inflammatory activity. When an animal bites into the Aloe leaf, a hole is made in the leaf so that there is opportunity for the gel fillet to leak to the outside. However, this does not occur. The mucilage in combination with the Aloe gel hardens which seals the hole.