Natural Drag-Reducing Polymers: Discovery, Characterization and Potential Clinical Applications

摘要: About seven decades ago, it was discovered that special long-chain soluble polymers added to fluid at nanomolar concentrations significantly reduce resistance turbulent flow (Toms effect). These so-called drag-reducing (DRPs) do not affect laminar flow. While the parameters associated with Toms effect occur in cardiovascular system, many later studies demonstrated intravenous injections of DRPs given experimental animals produced significant hemodynamic effects, such as increasing tissue perfusion, suggesting potential clinical use these polymers. Moreover, found specific viscoelastic properties make them capable modifying traffic blood cells microvessels and beneficially redistributing capillary system—a phenomenon related rheological their chemistry. The domain drag reducing includes organic water-soluble, synthetic natural molecules. study presented here employed chemical methods, well macro microfluidic tests, characterize DRP we Aloe vera plant, which be a more powerful reducer less fragile than DRPs. component aloe gel purified chemically identified, helped standardize preparation made this polymer strong candidate for use. Examples successful testing aloe-derived animal models are described.