Polyelectrolyte complex of Aloe vera, chitosan, and alginate produced fibroblast and lymphocyte viabilities and migration

•Preparation of polyelectrolyte complexes of chitosan, alginate, Aloe vera pH 4 and 6.•FT-IR spectroscopy evidenced complexes formation and incorporation of Aloe vera.•ζ potential of complexes revealed that anionic surface charge and dynamic moduli were highly dependent on angular frequency.•Polyelectrolyte complexes showed human fibroblast and lymphocyte viabilities (>90%).•Polyelectrolyte complexes prepared at pH 6 with Ca2+ produced fibroblast migration. Chitosan, sodium alginate and gel of Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) were employed for the preparation of polyelectrolyte complexes at pH 4 and 6. FT-IR spectroscopy analysis showed evidence on complexes formation and incorporation of the Aloe vera gel. The ζ potential determination of the polyelectrolyte complexes revealed the presence of surface charges in the range of −20 to −24 mV, which results in stable systems. The dynamic moduli exhibited a high dependence on angular frequency, which is commonly found in solutions of macromolecules. The materials showed human fibroblast and lymphocyte viabilities up to 90% in agreement with null cytotoxicity. The polyelectrolyte complexes at pH 6 with Ca2+ were stable, showed high water absorption, satisfactory morphology, pore size and rigidity, characteristics that allowed significant human fibroblast migration in wound closure in vitro assays.