By Robert H. Davis, Ph.D. T he Aloe leaf has polysaccharide in the parenchymal cells which is used by the plant for energy.
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.