SIDE EFFECTS AND BENEFITS OF
ALOE VERA
ALOE VERA
POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF ALOE VERA
Does Aloe vera have benefits on patients suffered from irritable bowel
syndrome?
Aloe vera has been suggested to be beneficial in treating irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS) symptoms. However, researchers from UK could not find
any evidence that Aloe vera benefits patients with IBS in a recent study. [1]
How does Aloe vera help gastric ulcer?
A study has shown that Aloe vera may have gastric acid anti-secretory
activity and may protect the gastric mucosa at low concentrations against
injurious agents. [16] While another study of rats shows that Aloe vera
treatment can reduce leukocyte adherence and TNF-alpha level, elevate
IL-10 level and promote gastric ulcer healing. [3]
ANTI-OXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF ALOE VERA
Aloe vera itself contains antioxidants such as APS-1 and dihydrocoumarin
derivatives and it also assists the aborption of some anti-oxidants such as
vitamins A and C. The vitamins last longer in the plasma with the Aloes.
[6-8]
Aloe vera relieves oxdative stress in diabetic rats. Oral administration of
ethanolic Aloe vera leaf gel extract for 21 days resulted in a significant
reduction in fasting blood glucose, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances,
hydroperoxides and alpha-tocopherol and significant improvement in
ascorbic acid, reduced glutathione and insulin in the plasma of diabetic
rats. In addition, this administration also resulted in a significant reduction in
thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, hydroperoxides, superoxide
dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase and significant
improvement in reduced glutathione in the pancreas of STZ-induced
diabetic rats when compared with untreated diabetic rats. [12]
Because of its anti-oxidant activities, Aloe vera may have benefits
for diabetes.[14, 17-19]
Animal studies have shown that aloe vera leaf gel extract is effective on
restoration of altered fatty acid compositions in the liver and kidney of
diabetic rats. In a study, researchers suppled Aloe vera gel extract at a
dose of 300 mg/kg bodyweight per day to STZ-induced diabetic rats for a
period of 21 days. They observed a significant reduction in fasting blood
glucose, hepatic transaminases, plasma and tissue (liver and kidney)
cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids and a
significant improvement in plasma insulin. [4] An extract of Aloe vera leaf
gel extract has been shown to be even more effective than glibenclamide in
restoring some liver function parameters in a study of diabetic rats. [10]
Indian researchers suggest that mineral contents, e.g. Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, may
also contribute to the health benefits of Aloe vera leaf gel on diabetes. [5,
11] As some of these inorganic elements improve impaired glucose
tolerance and diabetes mellitus management. [5]
Aloe vera may benefit some skin conditions.
Some researchers applied Aloe vera on skin diseases, e.g. psoriasis and
showed positive results [15], while some do not. [9]
WARNINGS AND SIDE EFFECTS OF ALOE VERA
Side effects of ingestion of low dose of Aloe vera are seldomly reported.
However, it has been associated with diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance,
kidney dysfunction, and conventional drug interactions. [2] A case of
hepatitis has been reported. [13] While, episodes of contact dermatitis,
erythema, and phototoxicity have been reported from topical applications.
Do not use Aloe vera together with other platelet aggregation inhibitors,
such as sevoflurane and before or after surgery. Compounds contained
within Aloe vera can cause a reduction in prostaglandin synthesis, which
may inhibit secondary aggregation of platelets. Aloe vera may interact with
sevoflurane or other similar substances based on their antiplatelet effects.
Herbal medications with antiplatelet potential should be discontinued before
anesthesia and surgery. [13]
Reference:
[1] Davis K et al, Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of aloe
vera for irritable bowel syndrome. Int J Clin Pract. 2006 Jun 2. [2] Boudreau
MD, Beland FA. An evaluation of the biological and toxicological properties
of Aloe barbadensis (miller), Aloe vera. J Environ Sci Health C Environ
Carcinog Ecotoxicol Rev. 2006 Apr;24(1):103-54. [3] Eamlamnam K, Effects
of Aloe vera and sucralfate on gastric microcirculatory changes, cytokine
levels and gastric ulcer healing in rats. World J Gastroenterol. 2006 Apr
7;12(13):2034-9. [4] Rajasekaran S et al, Beneficial effects of aloe vera leaf
gel extract on lipid profile status in rats with streptozotocin diabetes. Clin
Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2006 Mar;33(3):232-7. [5] Rajasekaran S et al,
Mineral contents of aloe vera leaf gel and their role on
streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2005
Winter;108(1-3):185-95. [6] Vinson JA, et al, Effect of Aloe vera
preparations on the human bioavailability of vitamins C and E.
Phytomedicine. 2005 Nov;12(10):760-5. [7] Zhang XF, Isolation, structure
elucidation, antioxidative and immunomodulatory properties of two novel
dihydrocoumarins from Aloe vera. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2006 Feb
15;16(4):949-53. Epub 2005 Nov 15. [8] Wu JH et al, Antioxidant properties
and PC12 cell protective effects of APS-1, a polysaccharide from Aloe vera
var. chinensis. Life Sci. 2006 Jan 2;78(6):622-30. Epub 2005 Sep 8. [9]
Paulsen E, A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a commercial Aloe
vera gel in the treatment of slight to moderate psoriasis vulgaris. J Eur Acad
Dermatol Venereol. 2005 May;19(3):326-31. [10] Rajasekaran S et al,
Antioxidant effect of Aloe vera gel extract in streptozotocin-induced
diabetes in rats. Pharmacol Rep. 2005 Jan-Feb;57(1):90-6. [11] Bezakova
L, et al, Antilipoxygenase activity and the trace elements content of Aloe
vera in relation to the therapeutical effect. Ceska Slov Farm. 2005
Jan;54(1):43-6. [12] Rajasekaran S, et al, Modulatory effects of Aloe vera
leaf gel extract on oxidative stress in rats treated with streptozotocin. J
Pharm Pharmacol. 2005 Feb;57(2):241-6. [13] Rabe C.et al, Acute hepatitis
induced by an Aloe vera preparation: a case report. World J Gastroenterol.
2005 Jan 14;11(2):303-4. [13] Lee A, et al Possible interaction between
sevoflurane and Aloe vera. Ann Pharmacother. 2004 Oct;38(10):1651-4.
Epub 2004 Aug 3. [14] Bolkent S Effect of Aloe vera (L.) Burm. fil. leaf gel
and pulp extracts on kidney in type-II diabetic rat models. Indian J Exp Biol.
2004 Jan;42(1):48-52. [15] Syed TA et al, Management of psoriasis with
Aloe vera extract in a hydrophilic cream: a placebo-controlled, double-blind
study. Trop Med Int Health. 1996 Aug;1(4):505-9. [16] Yusuf S et al, The
effect of Aloe vera A. Berger (Liliaceae) on gastric acid secretion and acute
gastric mucosal injury in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Jul;93(1):33-7. [17]
Can A et al, Effect of Aloe vera leaf gel and pulp extracts on the liver in
type-II diabetic rat models. Biol Pharm Bull. 2004 May;27(5):694-8. [18]
Rajasekaran S, et al, Hypoglycemic effect of Aloe vera gel on
streptozotocin-induced diabetes in experimental rats. J Med Food. 2004
Spring;7(1):61-6. [19] Parihar MS et al, Susceptibility of hippocampus and
cerebral cortex to oxidative damage in streptozotocin treated mice:
prevention by extracts of Withania somnifera and Aloe vera. J Clin
Neurosci. 2004 May;11(4):397-402.
Does Aloe vera have benefits on patients suffered from irritable bowel
syndrome?
Aloe vera has been suggested to be beneficial in treating irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS) symptoms. However, researchers from UK could not find
any evidence that Aloe vera benefits patients with IBS in a recent study. [1]
How does Aloe vera help gastric ulcer?
A study has shown that Aloe vera may have gastric acid anti-secretory
activity and may protect the gastric mucosa at low concentrations against
injurious agents. [16] While another study of rats shows that Aloe vera
treatment can reduce leukocyte adherence and TNF-alpha level, elevate
IL-10 level and promote gastric ulcer healing. [3]
ANTI-OXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF ALOE VERA
Aloe vera itself contains antioxidants such as APS-1 and dihydrocoumarin
derivatives and it also assists the aborption of some anti-oxidants such as
vitamins A and C. The vitamins last longer in the plasma with the Aloes.
[6-8]
Aloe vera relieves oxdative stress in diabetic rats. Oral administration of
ethanolic Aloe vera leaf gel extract for 21 days resulted in a significant
reduction in fasting blood glucose, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances,
hydroperoxides and alpha-tocopherol and significant improvement in
ascorbic acid, reduced glutathione and insulin in the plasma of diabetic
rats. In addition, this administration also resulted in a significant reduction in
thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, hydroperoxides, superoxide
dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase and significant
improvement in reduced glutathione in the pancreas of STZ-induced
diabetic rats when compared with untreated diabetic rats. [12]
Because of its anti-oxidant activities, Aloe vera may have benefits
for diabetes.[14, 17-19]
Animal studies have shown that aloe vera leaf gel extract is effective on
restoration of altered fatty acid compositions in the liver and kidney of
diabetic rats. In a study, researchers suppled Aloe vera gel extract at a
dose of 300 mg/kg bodyweight per day to STZ-induced diabetic rats for a
period of 21 days. They observed a significant reduction in fasting blood
glucose, hepatic transaminases, plasma and tissue (liver and kidney)
cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids and a
significant improvement in plasma insulin. [4] An extract of Aloe vera leaf
gel extract has been shown to be even more effective than glibenclamide in
restoring some liver function parameters in a study of diabetic rats. [10]
Indian researchers suggest that mineral contents, e.g. Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, may
also contribute to the health benefits of Aloe vera leaf gel on diabetes. [5,
11] As some of these inorganic elements improve impaired glucose
tolerance and diabetes mellitus management. [5]
Aloe vera may benefit some skin conditions.
Some researchers applied Aloe vera on skin diseases, e.g. psoriasis and
showed positive results [15], while some do not. [9]
WARNINGS AND SIDE EFFECTS OF ALOE VERA
Side effects of ingestion of low dose of Aloe vera are seldomly reported.
However, it has been associated with diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance,
kidney dysfunction, and conventional drug interactions. [2] A case of
hepatitis has been reported. [13] While, episodes of contact dermatitis,
erythema, and phototoxicity have been reported from topical applications.
Do not use Aloe vera together with other platelet aggregation inhibitors,
such as sevoflurane and before or after surgery. Compounds contained
within Aloe vera can cause a reduction in prostaglandin synthesis, which
may inhibit secondary aggregation of platelets. Aloe vera may interact with
sevoflurane or other similar substances based on their antiplatelet effects.
Herbal medications with antiplatelet potential should be discontinued before
anesthesia and surgery. [13]
Reference:
[1] Davis K et al, Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of aloe
vera for irritable bowel syndrome. Int J Clin Pract. 2006 Jun 2. [2] Boudreau
MD, Beland FA. An evaluation of the biological and toxicological properties
of Aloe barbadensis (miller), Aloe vera. J Environ Sci Health C Environ
Carcinog Ecotoxicol Rev. 2006 Apr;24(1):103-54. [3] Eamlamnam K, Effects
of Aloe vera and sucralfate on gastric microcirculatory changes, cytokine
levels and gastric ulcer healing in rats. World J Gastroenterol. 2006 Apr
7;12(13):2034-9. [4] Rajasekaran S et al, Beneficial effects of aloe vera leaf
gel extract on lipid profile status in rats with streptozotocin diabetes. Clin
Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2006 Mar;33(3):232-7. [5] Rajasekaran S et al,
Mineral contents of aloe vera leaf gel and their role on
streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2005
Winter;108(1-3):185-95. [6] Vinson JA, et al, Effect of Aloe vera
preparations on the human bioavailability of vitamins C and E.
Phytomedicine. 2005 Nov;12(10):760-5. [7] Zhang XF, Isolation, structure
elucidation, antioxidative and immunomodulatory properties of two novel
dihydrocoumarins from Aloe vera. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2006 Feb
15;16(4):949-53. Epub 2005 Nov 15. [8] Wu JH et al, Antioxidant properties
and PC12 cell protective effects of APS-1, a polysaccharide from Aloe vera
var. chinensis. Life Sci. 2006 Jan 2;78(6):622-30. Epub 2005 Sep 8. [9]
Paulsen E, A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a commercial Aloe
vera gel in the treatment of slight to moderate psoriasis vulgaris. J Eur Acad
Dermatol Venereol. 2005 May;19(3):326-31. [10] Rajasekaran S et al,
Antioxidant effect of Aloe vera gel extract in streptozotocin-induced
diabetes in rats. Pharmacol Rep. 2005 Jan-Feb;57(1):90-6. [11] Bezakova
L, et al, Antilipoxygenase activity and the trace elements content of Aloe
vera in relation to the therapeutical effect. Ceska Slov Farm. 2005
Jan;54(1):43-6. [12] Rajasekaran S, et al, Modulatory effects of Aloe vera
leaf gel extract on oxidative stress in rats treated with streptozotocin. J
Pharm Pharmacol. 2005 Feb;57(2):241-6. [13] Rabe C.et al, Acute hepatitis
induced by an Aloe vera preparation: a case report. World J Gastroenterol.
2005 Jan 14;11(2):303-4. [13] Lee A, et al Possible interaction between
sevoflurane and Aloe vera. Ann Pharmacother. 2004 Oct;38(10):1651-4.
Epub 2004 Aug 3. [14] Bolkent S Effect of Aloe vera (L.) Burm. fil. leaf gel
and pulp extracts on kidney in type-II diabetic rat models. Indian J Exp Biol.
2004 Jan;42(1):48-52. [15] Syed TA et al, Management of psoriasis with
Aloe vera extract in a hydrophilic cream: a placebo-controlled, double-blind
study. Trop Med Int Health. 1996 Aug;1(4):505-9. [16] Yusuf S et al, The
effect of Aloe vera A. Berger (Liliaceae) on gastric acid secretion and acute
gastric mucosal injury in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Jul;93(1):33-7. [17]
Can A et al, Effect of Aloe vera leaf gel and pulp extracts on the liver in
type-II diabetic rat models. Biol Pharm Bull. 2004 May;27(5):694-8. [18]
Rajasekaran S, et al, Hypoglycemic effect of Aloe vera gel on
streptozotocin-induced diabetes in experimental rats. J Med Food. 2004
Spring;7(1):61-6. [19] Parihar MS et al, Susceptibility of hippocampus and
cerebral cortex to oxidative damage in streptozotocin treated mice:
prevention by extracts of Withania somnifera and Aloe vera. J Clin
Neurosci. 2004 May;11(4):397-402.
 |  |  |  |
Discuss with your doctor before taking any alternative medicine. This article is for
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
