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.
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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.
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