REVIEW PAPER
Evaluation of clinical effectiveness of Aloe vera – a review
 
More details
Hide details
1
Chair of Medical Biology and Translational Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Information Technology and Management, Rzeszow, Poland
 
2
Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
 
3
Department of Ethics and Human Philosophy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
 
4
Chair of Oncology and Environmental Health Care, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
 
5
Department of Molecular Biology and Translational Research, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
 
 
Corresponding author
Martyna Zagórska-Dziok   

Chair of Medical Biology and Translational Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Information Technology and Management, Rzeszow, Poland, Sucharskiego 2 Str., 35-225 Rzeszow, Poland
 
 
J Pre Clin Clin Res. 2017;11(1):86-93
 
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Naturally occurring products have gained popularity in recent decades, especially due to their less adverse effects on human health. Various Aloe species are widespread all over the world. Aloe vera is one of the plants exhibiting multiple benefits and has gained considerable importance in clinical research. Historically, it has been used for a variety of medicinal purposes. It has attracted the attention of many researchers because of its different properties. More than 200 different biologically active substances were found in this plant that contributed to the fact it has been used to treat various types of diseases. The healthy effect of Aloe vera is primarily attributed to the polysaccharides contained in the gel of the leaves. It has been traditionally used to treat various conditions, including psoriasis, sunburn or radiation-related dermatitis, mucositis, oesophagitis or lichen planus. Aloe vera has also found application in wound healing, treatment of burns, protection against skin damage caused by X-ray, intestinal problems, reduction of plaque and gingivitis, regulating the levels of plasma lipoproteins, reduction of blood sugar levels and improving the immune system. Other biological activities of aloe, such as antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and immunomodulatory have also been documented in numerous studies. This review examines the possible applications of Aloe vera in clinical trials.
 
REFERENCES (51)
1.
Grindlay D, Reynolds T. The Aloe vera phenomenon: a review of the properties and modern uses of the leaf parenchyma gel. J Ethnopharmacol. 1986; 16(2–3): 117–51.
 
2.
Little JW. Complementary and alternative medicine: impact on dentistry. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2004; 98: 137–45.
 
3.
Morton JF. Folk uses and commercial exploitation of Aloe leaf pulp. Econ Bot. 1961; 15: 311–19.
 
4.
Ahlawat KS, Khatkar BS. Processing, food applications and safety of Aloe vera products: a review. J Food Sci Technol. 2011; 48: 525–33.
 
5.
Hamman JH. Composition and applications of Aloe vera leaf gel. Molecules. 2008; 13: 1599–616.
 
6.
Gupta VK, Malhotra S. Pharmacological attribute of Aloe vera: Revalidation through experimental and clinical studies. Ayu. 2012; 33(2): 193–6.
 
7.
Ghaderi R, Afshar M, Akhbarie H, Golalipour MJ. Comparison of the efficacy of honey and animal oil in accelerating healing of full thickness wound of mice skin. Int J Morphol. 2010; 28(1): 193–198.
 
8.
Blanks T. Mind, Body, and Soul: Body Shop Book of Wellbeing. Ebury Press. London, 1998.
 
9.
Reynolds T, Dweck AC. Aloe vera leaf gel: A review update. J Ethnopharmacol. 1999; 68: 3–37.
 
10.
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; 24(1): 103–54.
 
11.
Molazem Z, Mohseni F, Younesi M, Keshavarzi S. Aloe veragel and cesarean wound healing; arandomized controlled clinical trial. Glob J Health Sci. 2014; 7(1): 203–9.
 
12.
Paulsen E, Korsholm L, Brandrup F. 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; 19(3): 326–31.
 
13.
Panahi Y, Sharif MR, Sharif A, Beiraghdar F, Zahiri Z, Amirchoopani G, et al. A randomized comparative trial on the therapeutic efficacy of topical Aloe vera and Calendula officinalis on diaper dermatitis in children. Scientific World Journal. 2012; 2012: 810234.
 
14.
Reuter J, Jocher A, Stump J, Grossjohann B, Franke G, Schempp CM. Investigation of the anti-inflammatorypotential of Aloe vera gel (97.5%) in the ultraviolet erythema test. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2008; 21(2): 106–110.
 
15.
Bhattacharya M, Kaur I, Kumar B. Lichen planus: a clinical and epidemiological study. J Dermatol. 2000; 27: 576–82.
 
16.
Rajar UD, Majeed R, Parveen N, Sheikh I, Sushel C. Efficacy of Aloe veragel in the treatment of vulval lichen planus. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2008; 18(10): 612–4.
 
17.
Tanaka M, Misawa E, Ito Y, Habara N, Nomaquchi K, Yamada M, et al. Identification of five phytosterols from Aloe vera gel as anti-diabetic compounds. Biol Pharm Bull. 2006; 29(7): 1418–22.
 
18.
Tanaka M, Misawa E, Yamauchi K, Abe F, Ishizaki C.Effects of plant sterols derived from Aloe vera gel on human dermal fibroblasts in vitro and on skin condition in Japanese women. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015; 8: 95–104.
 
19.
West DP, Zhu YF. Evaluation of Aloe vera gel gloves in the treatment of dry skin associated with occupational exposure. Am J Infect Control. 2003; 31(1): 40–2.
 
20.
Fisher GJ, Kang S, Varani J, Bata-Csorgo Z, Wan Y, Datta S, et al. Mechanisms of photoaging and chronological skin aging. Arch Dermatol. 2002; 138(11): 1462–70.
 
21.
Cho S, Lee S, Lee MJ, Lee DH, Won CH, Kim SM, et al. Dietary Aloe Vera Supplementation Improves Facial Wrinkles and Elasticity and It Increases the Type I Procollagen Gene Expression in Human Skin in vivo. Ann Dermatol. 2009; 21(1): 6–11.
 
22.
Tatakis DN, Kumar PS. Etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. Dent Clin North Am. 2005; 49(3): 491–516.
 
23.
Gupta S, Jawanda MK. Oral Lichen Planus: An Update on Etiology, Pathogenesis, Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis and Management. Indian J Dermatol. 2015; 60(3): 222–229.
 
24.
Sugerman PB, Savage NW, Zhou X, Walsh LJ, Bigby M. Oral lichen planus. Clin Dermatol. 2000; 18: 533–9.
 
25.
Choonhakarn C, Busaracome P, Sripanidkulchai B, Sarakarn P. The efficacy of Aloe vera gel in the treatment of oral lichen planus: a randomized controlled trial. Br J Dermatol. 2008; 158(3): 573–7.
 
26.
Salazar-Sánchez N, López-Jornet P, Camacho-Alonso F, Sánchez-Siles M. Efficacy of topical Aloe vera in patients with oral lichen planus: a randomized double-blind study. J Oral Pathol Med. 2010; 39(10): 735–40.
 
27.
Altenburg A, Zouboulis CC. Current concepts in the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Skin Therapy Lett. 2008; 13(7): 1–4.
 
28.
Babaee N, Zabihi E, Mohseni S, Moghadamnia AA. Evaluation of the therapeutic effects of Aloe vera gel on minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Dent Res J. 2012; 9(4): 381–5.
 
29.
Vangipuram S, Jha A, Bhashyam M. Comparative efficacy of Aloe vera mouthwash and chlorhexidine on periodontal health: A randomized controlled trial. J Clin Exp Dent. 2016; 8(4): e442-e447.
 
30.
de Oliveira SM, Torres TC, Pereira SL, Mota OM, Carlos MX. Effect of a dentifrice containing Aloe vera on plaque and gingivitis control. A double-blind clinical study in humans. J Appl Oral Sci. 2008; 16(4): 293–6.
 
31.
Chandrahas B, Jayakumar A, Naveen A, Butchibabu K, Reddy PK, Muralikrishna T. A randomized, double blind clinical study to assess the antiplaque and antigingivitis efficacy of Aloe vera mouth rinse. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2012; 16(4): 543–8.
 
32.
Warnakulasuriya S, Johnson NW, van der Waal I. Nomenclature and classification of potentially malignant disorders of the oral mucosa. J Oral Pathol Med. 2007; 36(10): 575–80.
 
33.
Sudarshan R, Annigeri RG, SreeVijayabala G. Aloe vera in the treatment for oral submucous fibrosis – a preliminary study. J Oral Pathol Med. 2012; 41(10): 755–61.
 
34.
Scala A, Checchi L, Montevecchi M, Marini I, Giamberardino MA. Update on burning mouth syndrome: overview and patient management. Crit Rev Oral Biol Med. 2003; 14(4): 275–91.
 
35.
López-Jornet P, Camacho-Alonso F, Molino-Pagan D.Prospective, randomized, double-blind, clinical evaluation of Aloe veraBarbadensis, applied in combination with a tongue protect or to treat burning mouth syndrome. J Oral Pathol Med. 2013; 42(4): 295–301.
 
36.
Saha L. Irritable bowel syndrome: Pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and evidence-based medicine. World J Gastroenterol. 2014; 20(22): 6759–73.
 
37.
Davis K, Philpott S, Kumar D, Mendall M. Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of Aloe vera for irritable bowel syndrome. Int J Clin Pract. 2006; 60(9): 1080–6.
 
38.
Langmead L, Feakins RM, Goldthorpe S, Holt H, Tsironi E, De Silva A, et al. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Aloe vera gel for active ulcerative colitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2004; 19(7): 739–47.
 
39.
Ryan JL. Ionizing radiation: the good, the bad, and the ugly. J Invest Dermatol. 2012; 132(3): 985–93.
 
40.
Haddad P, Amouzgar-Hashemi F, Samsami S, Chinichian S, Oghabian MA. Aloe vera for prevention of radiation-induced dermatitis: a self-controlled clinical trial. Curr Oncol. 2013; 20(4): e345–8.
 
41.
Puataweepong P, Dhanachai M, Dangprasert S, Sithatani C, Sawangsilp T, NarkwongL, et al. The efficacy of oral Aloe vera juice for radiation induced mucositis in head and neck cancer patients: a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Asian Biomed. 2009; 3(4): 375–82.
 
42.
Merchant TE, Bosley C, Smith J, Baratti P, Pritchard D, Davis T, et al. A phase III trial comparing an anionic phospholipid-basedcream and Aloe vera-based gel in the prevention and treatment of radiation dermatitis in pediatric pantients. Radiat Oncol. 2007; 2: 45.
 
43.
Heggie S, Bryant GP, Tripcony L, Keller J, Rose P, Glendenning M, et al. A Phase III study on theefficacy of topical Aloe vera gel on irradiated breast tissue. Cancer Nurs. 2002; 25(6): 442–51.
 
44.
Ramirez LY, Huestis AE, Yap TY, Zyzanski S, Drotar D, Kodish E. Potential Chemotherapy Side Effects. What Do Oncologists Tell Parents? Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2009; 52(4): 497–502.
 
45.
Mansouri P, Haghighi M, Beheshtipour N, Ramzi M. The effect of Aloe vera solution on chemothetapy-induced stomatitis in clients with lymphoma and leukemia: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Int J Community Based Nurs Midwifery. 2016; 4(2): 119–26.
 
46.
Wild S, Roglic G, Green A, Sicree R, King H. Global prevalence of diabetes: estimates for the year 2000 and projections for 2030. Diabetes Care. 2004; 27(5): 1047–53.
 
47.
Yongchaiyudha S, Rungpitarangsi V, Bunyapraphatsara N, Chokechaijaroenporn O. Antidiabetic activity of Aloe vera L. juice. I. Clinical trial in newcases of diabetes mellitus. Phytomedicine. 1996; 3(3): 241–3.
 
48.
Yagi A, Hegazy S, Kabbash A, Wahab EA. Possible hypoglycemic effect of Aloe vera L. high molecular weight fractions on type 2 diabetic patients. Saudi Pharm J. 2009; 17(3): 209–15.
 
49.
Tanzer JM, Livingston J, Thompson AM. The microbiology of primary dental caries in humans. J Dent Educ. 2001; 65(10): 1028–37.
 
50.
Bhati N, Jaidka S, Somani R. Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of Aloe vera and Meswak containing dentifrices with fluoridated dentifrice: An in vivo study. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2015; 5(5): 394–9.
 
51.
Prabhakkar AR, Karuna YM, Yavagal C, Deepak BM. Cavity disinfection in minimally invasive dentistry – comparative evaluation of Aloe vera and propolis: A randomized clinical trial. Contemp Clin Dent. 2015; 6(1): S24–31.
 
eISSN:1898-7516
ISSN:1898-2395
Journals System - logo
Scroll to top