Aloe vera is a succulent plant widely used in alternative medicine. It has various indications for its use, but controlled trials are needed to determine its real efficacy. The plant, its properties, mechanism of action and clinical uses are briefly reviewed in this article.
{"Moisturizing and anti-aging effect:": "Mucopolysaccharides help in binding moisture into the skin. Aloe stimulates fibroblast which produces the collagen and elastin fibers making the skin more elastic and less wrinkled. It also has cohesive effects on the superficial flaking epidermal cells by sticking them together, which softens the skin. The amino acids also soften hardened skin cells and zinc acts as an astringent to tighten pores.", "Antiseptic effect:": "Aloe vera contains 6 antiseptic agents: Lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenols and sulfur. They all have inhibitory action on fungi, bacteria and viruses.", "Healing properties:": "Glucomannan, a mannose-rich polysaccharide, and gibberellin, a growth hormone, interacts with growth factor receptors on the fibroblast, thereby stimulating its activity and proliferation, which in turn significantly increases collagen synthesis after topical and oral Aloe vera.", "Effects on skin exposure to UV and gamma radiation:": "Aloe vera gel has been reported to have a protective effect against radiation damage to the skin.", "Anti-inflammatory action:": "Aloe vera inhibits the cyclooxygenase pathway and reduces prostaglandin E2 production from arachidonic acid.", "Effects on the immune system:": "Alprogen inhibit calcium influx into mast cells, thereby inhibiting the antigen-antibody-mediated release of histamine and leukotriene from mast cells.", "Laxative effects:": "Anthraquinones present in latex are a potent laxative. It increases intestinal water content, stimulates mucus secretion and increases intestinal peristalsis.", "Anti-acne effect:": "Due to the anti-inflammatory effects of aloe vera, the gel may help treat inflammatory forms of acne, such as pustules and nodules."}
Oily and dry skin
{"Topical:": "It may cause redness, burning, stinging sensation and rarely generalized dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Allergic reactions are mostly due to anthraquinones, such as aloin and barbaloin.", "Oral:": "Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, red urine, hepatitis, dependency or worsening of constipation. Prolonged use has been reported to increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Laxative effect may cause electrolyte imbalances (low potassium levels)."}
Contraindicated in cases of known allergy to plants in the Liliaceae family. Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Oral aloe is not recommended during pregnancy due to theoretical stimulation of uterine contractions, and in breastfeeding mothers, it may sometime causes gastrointestinal distress in the nursing infant. Interactions: Application of aloe to skin may increase the absorption of steroid creams such as hydrocortisone. It reduces the effectiveness and may increases the adverse effects of digoxin and digitoxin, due to its potassium lowering effect. Combined use of Aloe vera and furosemide may increase the risk of potassium depletion. It decreases the blood sugar levels and thus may interact with oral hypoglycemic drugs and insulin.
Aloe barbadensis Miller plant
NA
NA
Aloe vera has wide spectrum of the properties and uses, some of them could be myths and some of them could be real magic. In future, controlled studies are required to prove the effectiveness of Aloe vera under various conditions. Aloe vera is a dietary supplement and not a regulated drug. There is no guarantee of strength, purity, or safety of these products. Aloe vera is approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a food additive for flavor. The two-year NTP study on consumption of non-decolorized whole leaf extract of Aloe vera found clear evidence of carcinogenic activity in male and female rats, based on tumors of the large intestine. From what we know right now, there is nothing that would lead us to believe that these findings are not relevant to humans. However, more information, including how individuals use different types of Aloe vera products, is needed to determine the potential risks to humans. What do the NTP rodent studies mean for humans? The NTP rat studies give cause for serious concern. Some questions that need to be answered before their importance can be fully appreciated include: What products are actually in the market place? What are the aloin levels across a broad spectrum of products? What are the patterns of human exposure? There is not enough information currently available to know how much Aloe vera people are consuming or for how long. Based on what we know right now, there is nothing that would lead us to believe that this finding would not be relevant to humans. What could cause the tumors and other effects? We suspect the aloin but are not sure. We hope to do more studies to determine what may be causing the tumors. Should I stop drinking Aloe? That is a decision you might want to make with your health care provider. Like any personal decision, the more information you have the better. Currently, manufacturers of these products are not required to label aloin concentration in Aloe vera products. If aloin is the cause of the tumors in rats then, generally speaking, the lower the concentration of aloin in a product, the lower the possibility that it may cause harm. Tumors developed in animals that drank water containing 60 ppm of aloin daily for nearly their entire lifetime.
skinethix
skinethix
skinethix
skinethix