Kyle J. Norton
Aloe Vera is species of succulent plant in the genus Aloe, belongings to the Family Xanthorrhoeaceae, native to Sudan.
The herb has become very popular for commercial cultivation due to its health benefits.
Aloe vera has been used in herbal medicine in treating many kinds of diseases, including wounds, burn healing, minor skin infections, sebaceous cysts, diabetes, and elevated cholesterol,...
It is also one of many popular herbs studied in scientific ways with some conflicted results.
The Ingredients
The ten main areas of chemical constituents of Aloe vera include amino acids, anthraquinones, enzymes, minerals, vitamins, lignins, monosaccharides, polysaccharides, salicylic acids, saponins, and sterols.
1. Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition caused by insufficient insulin entering the bloodstream to regulate glucose. It is either caused by cells in the pancreas dying off or receptor sites clogged up by fat and cholesterol. In some cases, diabetes is also caused by allergic reactions of cells in the immune system.
Many herbs have been proven in studies to be effective in treating type II diabetes, including Aloe vera.
As a popular herbal remedy in the United Kingdom, oral administration of aloe vera might be a useful adjunct for lowering blood glucose in diabetic patients as well as for reducing blood lipid levels in patients with hyperlipidemia.
In other studies of Aloe vera gel in a mouse model of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, Oral administration of PAG for 8 weeks was found to reduce circulating blood glucose concentrations to a normal level in these DIO mice.
Its leaf is also found to be useful in treating diabetes, as the study said A. vera leaf pulp extract showed hypoglycaemic activity in type I (IDDM) and type II (NIDDM) diabetic rats, the effect being enhanced for type II diabetes in comparison with glibenclamide. On the contrary, A. vera leaf gel extract showed hyperglycaemic activity in NIDDM rats.
2. Ance vulgaris
Acne vulgaris, is one of the skin diseases with areas of scaly red skin with seborrhea, blackheads, and whiteheads. Aloe vera one of many herbs has been studied and researched in the pharmaceutical world, because of its common problem to the young ages and commercial profits.
The study to compare the efficacy and safety of the combination of tretinoin (TR) cream (0.05%) and Aloe vera topical gel (50%) with TR and vehicle, has been well tolerated and significantly more effective than TR and vehicle for the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris and with less side effects.
Other researchers in the observation of traditional medicines of many cultures used to treat skin diseases, indicated that certain ingredients, including aloe vera, have been identified in the treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
3. Gastric Ulcers
Gastric ulcers are defined as a condition of localized tissue erosion in the lining of the stomach. as a result of the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) in most cases.
Some people with gastric ulcers may not experience any symptoms at all, while others may have burning pain, severe nausea, and vomiting.
In the comparison of the effects of Aloe vera and sucralfate on gastric microcirculatory changes, cytokine levels, and gastric ulcer healing, treatment of Aloe vera was found to reduce leukocyte adherence and TNF-alpha level, elevate IL-10 levels and promote gastric ulcer healing.
Because of its anti-inflammatory effects, the treatment of A. vera process the enhancement in leukocyte-endothelium interaction is associated with a reduction in TNF-alpha level.
Other in another study of acute gastric mucosal lesions induced by 0.6 M HCl and acid output, indicated that Aloe vera is endowed with gastric acid anti-secretory activity and could protect the gastric mucosa at low concentrations against injurious agents.
Another component of Aloe vera, the Polymer fraction (Avpf; molecular weight cut-off ≥50 kDa; 150 mg/kg body weight, p.o.), reduces 50% of the mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), according to the study.
4. Cancers
Cancer is a class of diseases in which a group of cells growing and multiplying in disordered and uncontrollable ways in our body, have become progressively worse and damage other healthy tissues, sometimes spreading to other organs in the body via lymph or blood and results may be in death.
Aloe-Emodi, a chemical compound found in Aloe vera, specifically suppresses breast cancer cell proliferation by targeting ER α protein stability through distinct mechanisms and may be used as a possible application of anthraquinones in preventing or treating breast cancer in the future.
Also in other studies, Aloe-Emodi is considered as a potential value for the treatment of gastric cancer and cervical cancer because its mechanisms are by means of cell cycle interruption and induce differentiation and suppressed the expression of PKCalpha and c-myc.
Radiotherapy is most often used to treat head and neck cancer patients. Ina study of aloe Vera, Dr. Ahmadi A. found that oral Aloe vera mouthwash may not only prevent radiation-induced mucositis but also may reduce oral candidiasis of patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy due to its antifungal and immunomodulatory properties.
5. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is defined as an endocrinologic disease caused by undeveloped follicles clumping on the ovaries that interfere with the function of the normal ovaries resulting in enlarged ovaries, leading hormone imbalance( excessive androgen), resulting in male pattern hair development, acne, irregular period or absence of period, weight gain and affecting fertility. It affects over 5% of the women population or 1 in 20 women. According to the study by Desai BN, Maharjan RH, Nampoothiri LP. almost 70% of PCOS women have abnormal serum lipid levels (dyslipidemia) and 50% of these women are obese. Several classes of pharmacological agents have been used to manage dyslipidemia. However, studies have shown adverse effects associated with these drugs.
Aloe Vera may be a potential herb in treating Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome by enhancing the reductions of plasma triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels, with an increase in HDL cholesterol, or by restoring the ovarian steroid status.
According to the study of PCOS induced in Charles Foster female rats by oral administration of non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor letrozole (0.5 mg/kg body weight, 21 days), AVG-treated PCOS rats exhibited a significant reduction in plasma triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels, with an increase in HDL cholesterol.
The gel treatment also caused a reversion of abnormal estrous cyclicity, glucose intolerance, and lipid metabolizing enzyme activities, bringing them to normal. Other studies also indicated that Aloe vera gel formulation exerts a protective effect against the PCOS phenotype by restoring the ovarian steroid status and altering key steroidogenic activity.
This can be attributed to phyto-components present in the extract.
Dr.Pérez YY and the research team in the study of the Effect of a polyphenol-rich extract from Aloe vera gel on experimentally induced insulin resistance in mice also indicated that decreasing significantly both body weight (p < 0.008) and blood glucose levels of Aloe, calculated using the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) formula by the polyphenol-rich extract from Aloe vera.
Also in the confirmation of the above result, a study of Aloe vera leaves on blood glucose levels in type I and type II diabetic rat models, vera leaf pulp extract showed hypoglycaemic activity on IDDM and NIDDM rats, the effect being enhanced for type II diabetes in comparison with glibenclamide. On the contrary,
A. vera leaf gel extract showed hyperglycaemic activity on NIDDM rats. It may therefore be concluded that the pulps of Aloe vera leaves devoid of the gel could be useful in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Where non-diabetic (ND), type I (IDDM), and type II (NIDDM) diabetic rats.
6. Gingivitis
Gingivitis is defined as a condition of Inflammation of Gum Diseases.
Aloe Vera's anti-inflammatory properties may be the result of the plant used in the treatment of gum diseases. In the study of 45 patients who were diagnosed with plaque-induced gingivitis were included, aloe mouthwash is proven to be the most potential for a reduction in gingival inflammation caused by plagues.
Other in the randomized, controlled, and double-blind study, a total of 148 systemically healthy subjects, showed a statistically significant decrease in PI, MGI, and BI scores after the rinse regimen began in comparison with the use of chlorhexidine.
But Dr. de Oliveira SM, and the research team in comparison of Aloe vera and fluoridated dentifrice, found that there was a significant reduction in plaque and gingivitis in both groups, but no statistically significant difference was observed among them (p>0.01), Aloe vera did not show any additional effect on plaque and gingivitis control compared to the fluoridated dentifrice.
7. Psoriasis
Psoriasis is defined as a chronic condition of inflammatory skin disease, affecting the joints and mostly happens to people who are obese and are predisposed to diabetes and heart disease.
Many herbal extracts have been used as topical management of plaque psoriasis, including Aloe vera based on multiple studies.
Aloe vera gel is used in alternative medicine over the century for the treatment of skin diseases, including psoriasis, and a recent study showed that ethanolic extract of Aloe vera leaf gel also produced a significant increase in relative epidermal thickness and an overall antipsoriatic activity of high effective rate.
Other in the comparison of comparison to evaluate the efficacy of Topical aloe vera (AV) and 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide (TA) in mild to moderate plaque psoriasis, AV cream may be more effective than 0.1% TA cream was found to be more effective in reducing clinical symptoms of psoriasis.
Unfortunately, in diverse dermatologic conditions, even though there are some promising results with the use of aloe vera, but clinical effectiveness of oral and topical aloe vera may require further studies, according to the study of Dr. Feily A, and Dr. Namazi MR.
8. Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is defined as a condition if a patient is diagnosed with abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits at least three times a month for the last 3 months without the preexistence of other diseases.
Aloe vera (AV) has long been suggested by herbal medicine in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. In the comparison of the effectiveness of a mixture of Aloe vera (AV) and Matricaria recutita (German chamomile, GC) in treating Irritable bowel syndrome, GC inhibited only small bowel transit while the AV/GC mixture delayed gastric emptying at the doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg.
The AV/GC mixture also reduced colonic transit and small bowel transit at the dose of 150 mg/kg. In other randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials to test the effects of aloe vera for irritable bowel syndrome, there was no evidence that AV benefits patients with IBS and is superior to placebo in improving quality of life proven Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients, but in 49 completed the protocol to 1 month and 41 to 3 months.
Eleven of thirty-one (35%) AV patients, and 6 of 27 (22%) placebo patients responded at 1 month (p = 0.763). Diarrhea-predominant patients showed a trend towards a response to treatment at 1 month (10/23 V 2/14, p = 0.07).
9. Skin diseases
Skin disease is defined as a condition of skin damage and is classified according to each pathogenic cause of diseases.
In a systematic review of Aloe vera's clinical effectiveness, topical application of Aloe vera is not an effective preventative for radiation-induced skin injuries but might be effective for genital herpes and psoriasis.
In support of the above, the study by Feily A, Namazi MR. indicated that Topical application of aloe vera is not effective in sunburn or suntan protection, but might be effective in treating genital herpes, psoriasis, human papillomavirus, seborrheic dermatitis, aphthous stomatitis, xerosis, lichen planus, frostbite, burn, wound healing, and inflammation.
References
(1) Aloe barbadensis Mill. formulation restores lipid profile to normal in a letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome rat Model (PubMed)
(2) ALOE VERA by Gertrude Baldwin, http://www.herballegacy.com/Baldwin_Chemical.html
(3) Aloe vera: a systematic review of its clinical effectiveness. by Vogler BK, Ernst E.(PubMed)
(4) Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of processed Aloe vera gel in a mouse model of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. by Kim K, Kim H, Kwon J, Lee S, Kong H, Im SA, Lee YH, Lee YR, Oh ST, Jo TH, Park YI, Lee CK, Kim K.(PubMed)
(5) Effect of Aloe vera leaves on blood glucose level in type I and type II diabetic rat models.
Okyar A, Can A, Akev N, Baktir G, Sütlüpinar N.(PubMed)(7) Oral aloe vera-induced hepatitis(PubMed)
(8) Oral type II collagen in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A six-month double blind placebo-controlled study(PubMed)(1) Aloe barbadensis Mill. formulation restores lipid profile to normal in a letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome rat Model (PubMed)
(9) ALOE VERA by Gertrude Baldwin, http://www.herballegacy.com/Baldwin_Chemical.html
(3) Effect of Aloe vera topical gel combined with tretinoin in treatment of mild and moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind, prospective trial. by Hajheydari Z, Saeedi M, Morteza-Semnani K, Soltani A.(PubMed)
(10) Innovations in natural ingredients and their use in skin care. by Fowler JF Jr, Woolery-Lloyd H, Waldorf H, Saini R.(PubMed)
(11) Oral aloe vera-induced hepatitis(PubMed)
(12) Oral type II collagen in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A six-month double blind placebo-controlled study(PubMed)(13) Aloe barbadensis Mill. formulation restores lipid profile to normal in a letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome rat Model (PubMed)
(14) ALOE VERA by Gertrude Baldwin, http://www.herballegacy.com/Baldwin_Chemical.html
(15) Effects of Aloe vera and sucralfate on gastric microcirculatory changes, cytokine levels and gastric ulcer healing in rats, by Eamlamnam K, Patumraj S, Visedopas N, Thong-Ngam D.(PubMed)
(16) Anti-inflammatory effects of Aloe vera on leukocyte-endothelium interaction in the gastric microcirculation of Helicobacter pylori-infected rats by Prabjone R, Thong-Ngam D, Wisedopas N, Chatsuwan T, Patumraj S.(PubMed)
(17) The effect of Aloe vera A. Berger (Liliaceae) on gastric acid secretion and acute gastric mucosal injury in rats by Yusuf S, Agunu A, Diana M.(PubMed)
(18) Polymer fraction of Aloe vera exhibits a protective activity on ethanol-induced gastric lesions.
Park CH, Nam DY, Son HU, Lee SR, Lee HJ, Heo JC, Cha TY, Baek JH, Lee SH.(PubMed)
(19) Aloe barbadensis Mill. formulation restores lipid profile to normal in a letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome rat Model (PubMed)
(20) ALOE VERA by Gertrude Baldwin, http://www.herballegacy.com/Baldwin_Chemical.html
(21) Potential prevention: Aloe vera mouthwash may reduce radiation-induced oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients. by Ahmadi A.(PubMed)
(22) Emodin and Aloe-Emodin Suppress Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation through ER α Inhibition.
Huang PH, Huang CY, Chen MC, Lee YT, Yue CH, Wang HY, Lin H.(PubMed)
(23) Growth inhibitory effects of gastric cancer cells with an increase in S phase and alkaline phosphatase activity repression by aloe-emodin. by Guo J, Xiao B, Zhang S, Liu D, Liao Y, Sun Q.(PubMed)
(24) Anticancer effect of aloe-emodin on cervical cancer cells involves G2/M arrest and induction of differentiation. by Guo JM, Xiao BX, Liu Q, Zhang S, Liu DH, Gong ZH.(PubMed)
(25) Oral aloe vera-induced hepatitis(PubMed)
(26) Oral type II collagen in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A six-month double blind placebo-controlled study(PubMed)
(23) Aloe barbadensis Mill. formulation restores lipid profile to normal in a letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome rat Model (PubMed)
(28) ALOE VERA by Gertrude Baldwin, http://www.herballegacy.com/Baldwin_Chemical.html
(29) Effect of Aloe barbadensis Mill. formulation on Letrozole induced polycystic ovarian syndrome rat model (PubMed)
(30) Effect of a polyphenol-rich extract from Aloe vera gel on experimentally induced insulin resistance in mice (PubMed)
(31) Oral aloe vera-induced hepatitis(PubMed)
(32) Oral type II collagen in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A six-month double blind placebo-controlled study(PubMed)
(33) Aloe barbadensis Mill. formulation restores lipid profile to normal in a letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome rat Model (PubMed)
(34) ALOE VERA by Gertrude Baldwin, http://www.herballegacy.com/Baldwin_Chemical.html
(35) Aloe vera: It's effect on gingivitis by Ajmera N, Chatterjee A, Goyal V.(PubMed)
(36) A randomized, double-blind clinical study to assess the antiplaque and antigingivitis efficacy of Aloe vera mouth rinse by Chandrahas B, Jayakumar A, Naveen A, Butchibabu K, Reddy PK, Muralikrishna T.(PubMed)
(37) Effect of a dentifrice containing Aloe vera on plaque and gingivitis control. A double-blind clinical study in humans by de Oliveira SM, Torres TC, Pereira SL, Mota OM, Carlos MX.(PubMed)(38) Aloe barbadensis Mill. formulation restores lipid profile to normal in a letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome rat Model (PubMed)
(39) ALOE VERA by Gertrude Baldwin, http://www.herballegacy.com/Baldwin_Chemical.html
(40) Evaluation of the antipsoriatic activity of Aloe vera leaf extract using a mouse tail model of psoriasis.
Dhanabal SP, Priyanka Dwarampudi L, Muruganantham N, Vadivelan R.(PubMed)
(41)A prospective, randomized clinical trial comparing topical aloe vera with 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in mild to moderate plaque psoriasis by Choonhakarn C, Busaracome P, Sripanidkulchai B, Sarakarn P.(PubMed)
(42) Aloe vera in dermatology: a brief review by Feily A, Namazi MR.(PubMed)
(43) Oral aloe vera-induced hepatitis(PubMed)
(44) Oral type II collagen in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A six-month double blind placebo-controlled study(PubMed)
(45) Aloe barbadensis Mill. formulation restores lipid profile to normal in a letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome rat Model (PubMed)
(46) ALOE VERA by Gertrude Baldwin, http://www.herballegacy.com/Baldwin_Chemical.html
(47) Benefit of Aloe vera and Matricaria recutita mixture in rat irritable bowel syndrome: Combination of antioxidant and spasmolytic effects by Asadi-Shahmirzadi A, Mozaffari S, Sanei Y, Baeeri M, Hajiaghaee R, Monsef-Esfahani HR, Abdollahi M.(PubMed)
(48) Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of aloe vera for irritable bowel syndrome.
Davis K, Philpott S, Kumar D, Mendall M.(PubMed)
(49) A Randomised, Cross-Over, Placebo-Controlled Study of Aloe vera in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Effects on Patient Quality of Life by Hutchings HA, Wareham K, Baxter JN, Atherton P, Kingham JG, Duane P, Thomas L, Thomas M, Ch'ng CL, Williams JG.(PubMed)(7) Oral aloe vera-induced hepatitis(PubMed)
(50) Oral type II collagen in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A six-month double blind placebo-controlled study(PubMed)
(52) Aloe barbadensis Mill. formulation restores lipid profile to normal in a letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome rat Model (PubMed)
(53) ALOE VERA by Gertrude Baldwin, http://www.herballegacy.com/Baldwin_Chemical.html
(54) Aloe vera: a systematic review of its clinical effectiveness by Vogler BK, Ernst E. (PubMed)
(55) Aloe vera in dermatology: a brief review. by Feily A, Namazi MR (PubMed).
(56) Oral aloe vera-induced hepatitis(PubMed)
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