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Clinical Studies
Abstracts are presented below for clinical
studies on Aloe Vera.
Plant Phytonutrient Profile
1: Eur J Cancer Prev. 2007 Apr;16(2):151/157.
Effect of Aloe vera leaf pulp extract on Ehrlich ascites tumours in mice.
Akev N, Turkay G, Can A, Gurel A, Yildiz F, Yardibi H, Ekiz EE, Uzun H.
aDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Istanbul University, Beyazit
Departments of bBiochemistry cPathology dPhysiology, Veterinary Faculty,
Istanbul University, Avcilar eDepartment of Biochemistry, Cerrahpasa Faculty of
Medicine, Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey.
Among the various known therapeutic effects of Aloe vera (L.) Burm. fil., a few
recent studies have shown that preparations of the plant leaves can prevent or
regress the growth of certain tumours. In this study, undertaken with A. vera
leaf pulp extract against Ehrlich ascites tumours in mice, the animals were
separated into five groups: I / healthy control, II / tumour control, III /
experiment 1 (extract given before tumour inoculation), IV / experiment 2
(extract given with tumour inoculation) and V / experiment 3 (extract given
after tumour inoculation). Ehrlich ascites tumours (0.33 ml) were injected
subcutaneously into groups II/V. Aloe extract was injected at 55 mg protein/kg,
twice a week for 21 days. Tumour size, thymus and spleen weights were measured,
as well as leucocyte count, tumour necrosis factor/alpha and sialic acid as
tumour markers. The best inhibitory effect on tumour growth was obtained with
the extract given prophylactically before tumour implantation (experiment 1),
although Aloe extract also regressed tumour sizes when given simultaneously with
(experiment 2), or therapeutically after (experiment 3), tumour implantation.
Accordingly, serum sialic acid and tumour necrosis factor/alpha levels, chosen
as tumour markers, which were raised in the tumour control group, were
significantly decreased by the prophylactic administration of the extract. The
increase in leucocyte count seen in experiment 1 and 2 groups, along with
lymphoid hyperplasia observed in spleen and thymus necroscopy, lead us to think
that the tumour preventive effect of Aloe could be due to its immunomodulatory
activity. According to our results, A. vera could be proposed as a prophylactic
for cancer prevention.
PMID: 17297391 [PubMed / as supplied by publisher]
2: Cancer Biol Ther. 2007 Jan 18;6(1) [Epub ahead of print]
Aloe(/Emodin) for Cancer?: More than Just a Comforting Salve.
Dorsey JF, Kao GD.
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
PMID: 17297301 [PubMed / as supplied by publisher]
3: Nephrology (Carlton). 2007 Feb;12(1):109.
Aloe/induced henoch/schonlein purpura.
Kim EJ, Kim HJ, Kim SG, Lee YS, Oh JE, Seo JW, Koo JR, Noh JW.
Department of Nephrology, Hallym Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, South Korea.
PMID: 17295672 [PubMed / in process]
4: Biomed Chromatogr. 2007 Feb 12; [Epub ahead of print]
Simultaneous quantification of five anthraquinones in rat plasma by
high/performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.
Yan D, Ma Y.
College of Chinese Material Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese
Medicine, Shanghai 201203, People's Republic of China.
A sensitive high/performance liquid chromatographic method with fluorescence
detection (excitation 435 and emission 515 nm) was established and validated for
quantification of five anthraquinones (aloe/emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol
and physcion) in rat plasma. Following a single/step liquid/liquid extraction,
the analytes and internal standard (1,8/dihydroxyanthraquinone) were separated
on a reversed/phase C(18) column with water/phosphoric acid/methanol as mobile
phase at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The linear ranges of the calibration curves
were 6.5/1300 ng/mL for aloe/emodin, 20/4000 ng/mL for rhein, 40/8000 ng/mL for
emodin, 15/3000 ng/mL for chrysophanol and 13/2600 ng/mL for physcion. The lower
limit of quantification was 6.5 ng/mL for aloe/emodin, 20 ng/mL for rhein, 40
ng/mL for emodin, 15 ng/mL for chrysophanol and 13 ng/mL for physcion. The mean
accuracy was 94.3/105.1% for aloe/emodin, 90.3/108.8% for rhein, 92.6/106.7% for
emodin, 95.8/103.8% for chrysophanol and 98.7/101.2% for physcion. The
within/batch and between/batch precisions were </=5.5% and </=13.4%,
respectively. This method is suitable for determining the five anthraquinones in
plasma simultaneously and thus investigating the pharmacokinetics of
anthraquinones from Xiexin decoction in rats. Copyright (c) 2007 John Wiley &
Sons, Ltd.
PMID: 17294506 [PubMed / as supplied by publisher]
5: J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Jan 14; [Epub ahead of print]
Hepatoprotective potential of Aloe barbadensis Mill. against carbon
tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity.
Chandan BK, Saxena AK, Shukla S, Sharma N, Gupta DK, Suri KA, Suri J, Bhadauria
M, Singh B.
Department of Pharmacology, Regional Research Laboratory, Canal Road, Jammu/Tawi
180 016, India.
Aloe barbadensis Mill. Syn. Aloe vera Tourn. ex Linn.(Liliaceae) has been used
in variety of diseases in traditional Indian system of medicine in India and its
use for hepatic ailments is also documented. In the present study an attempt has
been made to validate its hepatoprotective activity. The shade dried aerial
parts of Aloe barbadensis were extracted with petroleum ether (AB/1), chloroform
(AB/2) and methanol (AB/3). The plant marc was extracted with distilled water
(AB/4). All the extracts were evaluated for hepatoprotective activity on limited
test models as hexobarbitone sleep time, zoxazolamine paralysis time and marker
biochemical parameters. AB/1 and AB/2 were observed to be devoid of any
hepatoprotective activity. Out of two active extracts (AB/3 and AB/4), the most
active AB/4 was studied in detail. AB/4 showed significant hepatoprotective
activity against CCl(4) induced hepatotoxicity as evident by restoration of
serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin and triglycerides.
Hepatoprotective potential was confirmed by the restoration of lipid
peroxidation, glutathione, glucose/6/phosphatase and microsomal aniline
hydroxylase and amidopyrine N/demethylase towards near normal. Histopathology of
the liver tissue further supports the biochemical findings confirming the
hepatoprotective potential of AB/4. The present study shows that the aqueous
extract of Aloe barbadensis is significantly capable of restoring integrity of
hepatocytes indicated by improvement in physiological parameters, excretory
capacity (BSP retention) of hepatocytes and also by stimulation of bile flow
secretion. AB/4 did not show any sign of toxicity up to oral dose of 2g/kg in
mice.
PMID: 17291700 [PubMed / as supplied by publisher]
6: J Chromatogr A. 2007 Jan 27; [Epub ahead of print]
Simultaneous determination of anthraquinones in rhubarb by high/performance
liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis.
Koyama J, Morita I, Kobayashi N.
Kobe Pharmaceutical University, Higashinada/ku, Kobe 658/8558, Japan.
High/performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE)
were compared to simultaneously determine and separate 11 anthraquinones from
rhubarb, including emodin, chrysophanol, rhein and their glucosides,
aloe/emodin, sennoside A, and sennoside B. A UV/diode array detector (DAD) at
254nm with a gradient elution of acetonitrile/water (method A: 0min 6:94, 12min
12:88, 15min 20:80, 40min 25:75, 53min 55:45, 55min 100:0; method B: 0min 5:95,
2min 15:85, 5min 20:80, 12min 25:75, 15min 50:50, 19min 98:2) at 28(+//1)
degrees C (method A) and 30/60 degrees C (method B) in HPLC or with 0.03M borate
buffer (pH 10.0) containing 25% (v/v) acetonitrile with 0.002M
2,6/di/O/methyl/beta/cyclodextrin (CD) and 0.005M alpha/CD in CE effectively
detected this separation in 25min. The detection limits of anthraquinones from
rhubarb were in the 0.02/0.2mug/mL and 0.1/0.8mug/mL ranges for HPLC and CE,
respectively. The established HPLC and CE methods are suitable for quantitative
determination of emodin, chrysophanol, aloe/emodin, emodin/1/beta/d/glucoside,
emodin/8/beta/d/glucoside, chrysophanol/1/beta/d/glucoside,
chrysophanol/8/beta/d/glucoside, and rhein/8/beta/d/glucoside.
PMID: 17289060 [PubMed / as supplied by publisher]
7: Zhonghua Shao Shang Za Zhi. 2006 Oct;22(5):362/5.
[The effects of aloe extract on nitric oxide and endothelin levels in
deep/partial thickness burn wound tissue in rat]
[Article in Chinese]
Lv RL, Wu BY, Chen XD, Jiang Q.
Institute of Burns, Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzou 350001, P.
R. China.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of polysaccharide extracted from Aloe
barbadensis and Aloe barbedensis containing gel on tissue water contents, nitric
oxide (NO) and endothelin (ET) levels in wounds of burned rats. METHODS: Four
areas of deep/partial thickness burn wounds with 3 cm in diameter were made on
each back of 42 male Wistar rats. Single layer gauze impregnated either with 5%
(W/W) aloe raw polysaccharide, 10% (W/W) aloe gel, 1% (W/W) sulfadiazine
pyridine silver cream (SD/Ag), or normal saline was respectively applied on
different wounds. According to different medications, the wounds were divided
into aloe raw polysaccharide group, aloe gel group, SD/Ag group and normal
saline group. Six rats in each group were sacrificed at 4, 12, 24, 48 post/scald
hour (PSH) and on 7, 14, 21 post/scald day (PSD), and the full/thickness skin of
wound was harvested for the determination of wound tissues water contents, NO
and ET levels, and for calculation of NO/ET ratio. Another 6 normal rats served
as normal controls. RESULTS: The water content in the wound tissue in aloe raw
polysaccharide group at 12, 24 and 48 PSH [(73.4 +// 3.8)%, (76.6+//3.0)%,
(70.6+//3.8)%] and aloe gel group [(74.5+//2.6)%, (77.1+//3.6)%, (71.2 +//
3.1)%] was obviously lower than those in SD/Ag group [(80.1 +// 4.1)%, (80.5
+//3.9)%, (76.1 +//3.8)%, P <0.05]. During 7/21 PSD, all of them returned to the
normal level except that in SD/Ag group, as it was still higher than that in
normal controls (P < 0.05). The NO content in wound tissue in each group reached
the peak at 12 PSH, decreased thereafter, but it was still obviously higher than
that of normal controls on 21 PSD (P < 0.05). The ET content in wound tissue of
each group reached the peak on 7 or 14 PSD, decreased thereafter, but it was
still evidently higher than that in normal controls on 7 or 14 PSD (P < 0.05).
The NO content in wound tissue in aloe raw polysaccharide and aloe gel group
were markedly lower than those in SD/Ag and normal saline groups at 12 and 24
PSH ( P < 0.05). The NO/ET ratio in each group reached the peak at 12 PSH,
decreased thereafter, and it returned to normal value on 14 PSD. On 7 PSD, the
NO/ET ratio in aloe gel, SD/Ag and normal saline groups were still significantly
higher than that in normal controls, except that returned to normal value in
aloe raw polysaccharide group. CONCLUSION: Both aloe raw polysaccharide and aloe
gel can decrease wound tissue NO release, optimize NO/ET ratio, lighten vascular
inflammatory reaction, and lessen permeability and edema.
Publication Types:
English Abstract
PMID: 17283882 [PubMed / in process]
8: Oral Oncol. 2007 Jan 24; [Epub ahead of print]
Aloe/emodin induces in vitro G2/M arrest and alkaline phosphatase activation in
human oral cancer KB cells.
Xiao B, Guo J, Liu D, Zhang S.
School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China.
Aloe/emodin is a natural anthraquinone compound from the root and rhizome of
Rheum palmatum. In this study, KB cells were treated with 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and
40muM aloe/emodin for 1 to 5 days. The results showed that aloe/emodin inhibited
cancer cells in a dose/dependent manner. Treatment with aloe/emodin at 10 to
40muM resulted in cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. The alkaline phosphatase
(ALP) activity in KB cells increased upon treatment with aloe/emodin when
compared to controls. This is one of the first studies to focus on the
expression of ALP in human oral carcinomas cells treated with aloe/emodin. These
results indicate that aloe/emodin has anti/cancer effect on oral cancer, which
may lead to its use in chemotherapy and chemopreventment of oral cancer.
PMID: 17257888 [PubMed / as supplied by publisher]
9: Planta Med. 1997 Oct;63(5):454/6.
A New Bisbenzopyran from Aloe barbadensis Roots.
Saleem R, Faizi S, Deeba F, Siddiqui BS, Qazi MH.
Dr. H. M. I. Institute of Pharmacology & Herbal Sciences, Hamdard University,
Sharae Madinatal Hikma, Mohammad Bin Qasim Avenue, Karachi/74600, Pakistan.
A new bisbenzopyran ( 1) has been isolated from the methanolic extract of roots
of ALOE BARBADENSIS through solvent separation and vacuum liquid chromatography.
Based on spectral analysis including 2D/NMR (COSY, NOESY, J/resolved, HMQC, and
HMBC) techniques, the structure of compound 1 was assigned as
3,3'/bis(3,4/dihydro/4/hydroxy/6/methoxy/2 H/1/benzopyran).
PMID: 17252367 [PubMed / in process]
10: Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2006 Oct/Dec;7(4):585/90.
Effects of aloe arborescens ingestion on azoxymethane/induced intestinal
carcinogenesis and hematological and biochemical parameters of male F344 rats.
Shimpo K, Beppu H, Chihara T, Kaneko T, Shinzato M, Sonoda S.
Fujita Memorial Nanakuri Institute, Fujita Health University, Tsu, Mie 514/1296
Japan. shimpo@fujita/hu.ac.jp
We examined the modifying effect of freeze/dried whole/leaf Aloe arborescens
Miller var. natalensis Berger (Kidachi aloe in Japan; designated as 'ALOE') on
azoxymethane (AOM)/induced intestinal carcinogenesis in rats. Male F344 rats (4
weeks old) were fed basal diet or experimental diet containing 0.2% or 1% ALOE
for 28 weeks. Starting two weeks later, the animals received subcutaneous
injections of AOM once weekly for 10 weeks. The incidence of colorectal
adenocarcinomas in the 0.2% (but not 1%) ALOE group showed a strong tendency for
decrease (p = 0.056) from the control group. Further, the adenocarcinoma
incidence in the entire intestine (small and large intestines) in the 0.2% ALOE
group was significantly (p = 0.024) decreased compared to the control value.
However, there were no significant differences in tumor multiplicities of
colorectal or entire intestines among the 3 groups. In addition, we also studied
the safety of long/term ingestion of ALOE as a health food or natural thickening
stabilizer. Rats were fed the basal diet or 1% ALOE diet for 35 weeks without
AOM treatment. Feeding with 1% ALOE did not affect most hematological and serum
biochemical parameters in the rats. These results indicate that a low level of
ALOE ingestion might have a mild suppressive effect on intestinal tumor growth
without harmful side effects.
Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/U.S. Gov't
PMID: 17250432 [PubMed / in process]
11: J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Dec 1; [Epub ahead of print]
Ethnotherapeautic management of skin diseases among the Kikuyus of Central
Kenya.
Njoroge GN, Bussmann RW.
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Botany Department, P.O.
Box 62000, Nairobi, Kenya.
Skin health is increasingly becoming an important aspect of primary health care
among many communities particularly because of the increased challenge of
HIV/AIDS, skin conditions being among the common opportunistic diseases in
immuno/compromised individuals. This study investigated the use of traditional
remedies in managing various skin conditions in the Central Province of Kenya.
Fifty/seven plant species in 31 families were identified as regularly utilized.
Of these plants 27 species had a frequency of three and above. Some of the
highly utilized plant species include: Croton megalocarpus Hutch., Senna
didymobotrya (Fresen.) Irwin & Barneby, Vernonia lasiopus O. Hoffm., Croton
macrostachyus Del. and Aloe secundifolia Engl. In the majority of the cases the
sap or occasionally the latex was applied directly on the affected areas. In
other cases the plant parts were heated and used as poultice. Only in few
conditions were the plant parts boiled and the extract used for washing affected
areas, probably acting as antiseptic. This study found that 14 skin conditions
were commonly managed using herbal preparations. Of these conditions nine (9)
had informant consensus of 0.5 and above, with the highest consensus found in
management of swellings and skin sores. Soils were also cited as an important
non/plant resource for management of skin conditions especially those associated
with measles. Since most skin conditions are caused by microorganisms such as
bacteria, viruses and fungi, the medicinal plants and other resources reported
in this study form a justifiable basis for antimicrobial trials, pharmacological
and phytochemical analysis, with promising results.
PMID: 17207950 [PubMed / as supplied by publisher]
12: Toxicol Lett. 2007 Jan 30;168(2):165/75. Epub 2006 Dec 6.
Photo/irradiation of Aloe vera by UVA//formation of free radicals, singlet
oxygen, superoxide, and induction of lipid peroxidation.
Xia Q, Yin JJ, Fu PP, Boudreau MD.
National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration,
Jefferson, AR 72079, USA.
Aloe vera whole leaf extracts are incorporated into a wide variety of topically
applied commercial products. Aloe vera whole leaf extracts may contain
anthraquinones, which have been shown to generate reactive oxygen species in the
presence of ultraviolet A (UVA) light. Exposure to UVA light alone can also
generate reactive oxygen species and is associated with photo/damaged and
photo/aged skin in humans. This paper examines the photochemical properties of
two Aloe vera whole leaf extracts that differed in their anthraquinone content.
In the presence of methyl linoleate, the UVA irradiation of Aloe vera leaf
extracts induced lipid peroxidation. The amounts of lipid peroxides formed were
higher in the Aloe vera leaf extract that contained lower amounts of
anthraquinones. Superoxide dismutase and sodium azide inhibited and deuterium
oxide enhanced the formation of lipid peroxides, suggesting that singlet oxygen
and superoxide were involved in the mechanism. Spin trapping electron spin
resonance (ESR) spectroscopy was used to investigate the generation of free
radicals by the UVA photo/irradiated Aloe vera plant extracts. ESR measurements
indicated that the UVA photo/irradiation of Aloe vera plant extracts produced
carbon/centered free radicals. These results suggest that humans exposed to
products that contain Aloe vera whole leaf extracts may have enhanced
sensitivity to ultraviolet light.
Publication Types:
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/P.H.S.
PMID: 17197137 [PubMed / in process]
13: Yao Xue Xue Bao. 2006 Oct;41(10):1000/3.
[Active constituents from Aloe arborescens as BACE inhibitors]
[Article in Chinese]
Gao B, Yao CS, Zhou JY, Chen RY, Fang WS.
Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese
Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese
Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050,
China.
AIM: To seek for new components as BACE inhibitors from Aloe arborescens.
METHODS: The chemical constituents were isolated by chromatographic methods and
their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis. RESULTS:
Eight compounds were isolated and their structures identified as 6'/O/isobutyryl
aloenin A (1), aloenin A (2), aloe/emodin (3),
(E)/2/acetonyl/8/(2'/O/feruloxyl)/beta/D/glucopyranosyl/7/methoxy/5/methyl/chrom
one (4), 7/O/methylaloeresin A (5), babarloin A (6), elgonica/dimer A (7), and
elgonica/dimer B (8), separately. CONCLUSION: Compound 1 is a new compound, and
compound 4 was isolated from A. arborescens for the first time. Pharmacological
tests indicated that 2, 4, 5 and 6 have moderate inhibitory active on BACE.
Publication Types:
English Abstract
PMID: 17184120 [PubMed / in process]
14: J Herb Pharmacother. 2006;6(2):51/64.
Herb use among health care professionals enrolled in an online curriculum on
herbs and dietary supplements.
Gardiner P, Legedza A, Woods C, Phillips RS, Kemper KJ.
Division for Research and Education in Complementary and Integrative Medical
Therapies, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
paula_gardiner@hms.harvard.edu
BACKGROUND: Although many adults in the United States use herbs, little is known
about the personal use of herbs by health care professionals (HCPs) and factors
associated with use. METHODS: We performed a cross/sectional study of HCPs prior
to their enrollment in an online course about herbs and dietary supplements
between September 2004 and May 2005. We used multivariable logistic regression
to analyze demographic and practice factors associated with herb use. RESULTS:
Of the 1249 health care professionals surveyed, 51% reported using an herb in
the last week. The rates of use were highest among physician assistants or nurse
practitioners (PA or NP) (63%), clinical nurses (59%), and HCP students (52%),
while physicians (48%), dietitians (40%), and pharmacists (37%) had lower rates.
Among health care professionals who reported herb use, the most common herbs
taken were green tea (24%), flax seed (18%), chamomile (11%), and aloe vera
(8%). Factors associated with herb use included older age, being a nurse, a HCP
student, an NP or PA compared with being a physician, being non/Caucasian,
living outside of North Carolina and having increased knowledge of herbs and
dietary supplements.
Publication Types:
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
PMID: 17182485 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
15: Bosn J Basic Med Sci. 2006 Nov;6(4):79/84.
Efficacy in treatment of cervical HRHPV infection by combination of beta
interferon, and herbal therapy in woman with different cervical lesions.
Iljazovic E, Ljuca D, Sahimpasic A, Avdic S.
Pathology Department, Polyclinic for Laboratory Diagnostic, University Clinics
Center Tuzla, Trnovac 1, Gradina, 75,000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Cervical dysplasia, a premalignant lesion that can progress to cervical cancer,
is caused primarily by a sexually transmitted infection with an oncogenic strain
of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV infections are treated through
destroying the clinical lesions: laser, cryotherapy, podophyllin... The hope is
that by causing local tissue inflammation that the body will be stimulated to
mount an antibody response and thereby prevent recurrence. In contrast to other
prevention approaches, vaccines can reduce susceptibility in uninfected partners
by stimulating the immune system. Aloe vera has also been reported to retard
tumour growth and stimulate the immune response to viruses. A list of possible
actions of propolis includes: antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant,
anticarcinogenic, antithrombotic and immunomodulatory. Research on the possible
role of some B vitamins in preventing cancer began in the last few decades, but
however this complex have an influence on immune status. The aim of our study is
to try to treat the HPV infection as confirmed cause of neoplastic
transformation with some herbal therapy and interferon and to try define the
guidelines in the management of the HPV positive patients. Goal of this paper is
to search for evidence of efficacy of any treatment for HPV infection of the
cervix mostly in woman with no concomitant CIN. Fifty five woman affected by HPV
genital infection were enrolled in the study from September 2005 to April 2006.
Patients were classified according to the results of the HPV testing prior and
after the therapy. Patients were randomized into two groups: the first group was
HPV positive woman treated with other than recommended therapy (n=20), (control
group); the second group was pharmacologically treated with intravaginal
administration of an interferon and aloe vera/propolis in recommended scheme
(n=35) with treatment of the possible fungal or bacterial genital infection
prior to the specific therapy. The almost same therapy was recommended to the
male partner. Patients from the second group used B complex during the therapy.
Patients were retested for the HPV presence after three or six month from
therapy depend of the presence bacterial or fungal genital coinfection. Three
months after applied therapy HPV infection was still present in more than 90% of
the patients in the first group. In the second group treated according to the
recommended therapy scheme HPV infection disappeared in 71.42% of the patients
after three months and in 100% of patients after six months. Samples of the
cervical smear for the HPV analysis were being taken during routine
gynecological examinations, by using sticks with cotton, taken from the Digene
Specimen Collection Kit, from the whole surface of a portion, and by mild
rotating moves from the outer cervical entrance. Our results suggest that the
combination of interferon and herbal therapy with B complex is effective,
atraumatic and simple non/surgical treatment of HPV infection. Since prospective
efficacy trials will take several years to complete, considering alternative
approaches is also worthwhile.
PMID: 17177657 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
16: Cancer Biol Ther. 2007 Jan 29;6(1) [Epub ahead of print]
Growth Inhibitory Effects of Gastric Cancer Cells with an Increase in S Phase
and Alkaline Phosphatase Activity Repression by Aloe/Emodin.
Guo J, Xiao B, Zhang S, Liu D, Liao Y, Sun Q.
School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
Aloe/emodin is a novel active compound found in the root and rhizome of Rheum
palmatum. To investigate the effects and mechanisms of aloe/emodin on human
gastric cancer, MGC/803 cells were treated with 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 muM
aloe/emodin for 1/5 d. The results showed that aloe/emodin inhibited the growth
of cancer cells in a dose/dependent manner with an increase in S phase and in
the proportion of cells cycling at a higher ploidy level (>G(2)/M). Moreover,
the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, an indicator of cell differentiation,
was found decreased. This is one of the first to focus on the effect of ALP
activity in human gastric carcinomas cells treated by aloe/emodin. These results
indicate that aloe/emodin has a potential value for the treatment of gastric
cancer and its mechanisms are by means of cell cycle interruption and induce
differentiation.
PMID: 17172820 [PubMed / as supplied by publisher]
17: Ecology. 2006 Nov;87(11):2709/16.
Dark, bitter/tasting nectar functions as a filter of flower visitors in a
bird/pollinated plant.
Johnson SD, Hargreaves AL, Brown M.
School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu/Natal, P.
Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South Africa. Johnsonsd@ukzn.ac.za
Floral nectar is offered by plants to animals as a reward for pollination. While
nectar is typically a clear liquid containing sugar and trace amounts of amino
acids, colored nectar has evolved in several plant families. Here we explore the
functional significance of the phenolic compounds that impart a dark brown color
to the nectar of the South African succulent shrub Aloe vryheidensis. Flowers of
this aloe are visited for their nectar by a suite of short/billed birds that are
occasional nectarivores, including bulbuls, white/eyes, rock thrushes, and
chats. Dark/capped Bulbuls were more likely to probe model flowers containing
dark nectar than those containing clear nectar, suggesting a potential signaling
function for dark nectar. However, the main effect of the phenolics appears to
be to repel "unwanted" nectarivores that find their bitter taste unpalatable.
Nectar/feeding honey bees and sunbirds are morphologically mismatched for
pollinating A. vryheidensis flowers and strongly reject its nectar. However, the
frugivorous and insectivorous birds that effectively pollinate this aloe are
seemingly unaffected by the nectar's bitter taste. Thus the dark phenolic
component of the nectar appears to function as a floral filter by attracting
some animals visually and deterring others by its taste.
Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/U.S. Gov't
PMID: 17168015 [PubMed / in process]
18: Glycoconj J. 2007 Jan;24(1):81/6.
In vitro antileishmanial activity of Aloe vera leaf exudate: A potential herbal
therapy in leishmaniasis.
Dutta A, Mandal G, Mandal C, Chatterjee M.
Department of Immunobiology, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S. C.
Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, 700 032, India, cmandal@iicb.res.in.
Aloe vera has wide spread use in health products, and despite several reports on
the whole plant and inner gel, little work has been performed on the leaf
exudate. Our aim was to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of Aloe vera leaf exudate
(AVL) in leishmaniasis. Irrespective of the disease manifestation, promastigotes
from strains responsible for cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral
leishmaniasis were susceptible to AVL and their IC(50) ranged from 100 to 180
mug/ml. In axenic amastigotes cultured from a L. donovani strain 2001
responsible for visceral leishmaniasis, the IC(50) was 6.0 mug/ml. AVL caused
activation of host macrophages evident by an increased release of members of
reactive oxygen species that was attenuated by preincubation with free radical
scavengers. Collectively, our data indicates that AVL, via its direct
leishmanicidal activity which can be further enhanced by activation of host
macrophages, is an effective antileishmanial agent meriting further
pharmacological investigations.
PMID: 17146713 [PubMed / in process]
19: Rev Enferm. 2006 Oct;29(10):25/30.
[Prevention of vascular ulcers and diabetic foot non/random open clinical
evaluation on the effectiveness of "Mepentol Leche"]
[Article in Spanish]
Puentes Sanchez J, Pardo Gonzalez CM, Pardo Gonzalez MB, Navarro Casado FJ,
Puentes Sanchez R, Mendez Gonzalez JM, Gonzalez Rojo J, Juarez Morales A, Lopez
Fernandez IM.
Enfermeria de Cirugia Vascular, Hospital Torrecadenas, Almeria.
INTRODUCTION: Vascular ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers present a health serious
problem which affects a large number of patients, creating a major challenge for
health professionals. Hyper/oxygenated fatty acid dressings have proven to be
effective thanks to their favorable action on the skin in three ways: increasing
the microcirculation of the blood, promoting the renovation of the epidermic
cells, and notably increasing cutaneous hydration. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the
effectiveness of Mepentol Leche, an emulsion based on Hyper/oxygenated fatty
acids, Aloe barbadensis and Mimosa tenuiflora, used to treat the skin and
alleviate symptoms in patients who suffer from vascular ulcers and diabetic foot
ulcers. METHODS: Clinical evaluation carried out between June 2004 and December
2005. 195 patients were studied. The parameters for inclusion in this study were
32.82% for venous pathology 35.90% for skin care, 26.67% due to arterial
pathology, and 4.62% for a lymphatic pathology. These patients were evaluated
over a one month period and each had a follow/up by means of a data collection
file. The guideline to apply this product was twice a day and always over
integral skin. The effectiveness of this product has been established based on
these epigraphs: symptoms of itching, smarting and pain, and skin conditions:
color, dryness, edema, maceration, rashes, and desquamation. RESULTS: Not one
patient developed new lesions in healthy skin protected by Mepentol Leche.
Symptoms linked to this pathology saw improvements in these percents: itching
96%, smarting 93%, and pain 96%, and skin conditions: color 100%, edema 90%,
maceration 96%, rashes 92%, and desquamation 100%. Health professionals'
evaluation of this product has been highly favorable in regards to ease of use,
tolerance, absorption, and ease of application. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed
the benefits in applying this product systematically to alleviate the symptoms
prior to the appearance of ulcers, thus avoiding skin dryness and reducing
itching, smarting, pain and eczema while returning normal color to the skin.
Publication Types:
English Abstract
PMID: 17144630 [PubMed / in process]
20: Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2006 Sep;31(18):1496/9.
[Induction of hairy roots and anthraquinone production in Rheum palmatum]
[Article in Chinese]
Yang SH, Liu XF, Guo DA, Zhen JH.
College of Chinese Medicinal Material, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun
130118, China. jlyangs@yahoo.com.cn
OBJECTIVE: To study the induction of hairy roots and anthraquinone production in
Rheum palmatum. METHOD: Leaf blades, hypocotyls and petioles of R. palmatum were
infected by Agrobacterium rhizogenes LBA9402 and A. rhizogenes R1601,
respectively. RESULT: Hairy roots were induced by two strains of A. rhizogenes,
and LBA9402 showed stronger infective ability than R1601. Three clones of hairy
roots were cultured. DH7a was induced by R1601, DH5a and DH5c were induced by
LBA9402. DH7a grew faster than DH5a and DH5c, and all of them grew faster
obviously than normal root (NOR). There were significant differences in
anthraquinone composition and content among four kinds of roots. Emodin physcion
and chrysophanol were predominant anthraquinone in DH5a, DH5c and NOR
respectivly. Aloe/emodin content was the lowest in all root cultures compared
with other four anthraquinones. CONCLUSION: The in vitro culture system of the
established hairy roots laid a foundation for mass production of anthraquinone
by hairy root culture.
Publication Types:
English Abstract
PMID: 17144464 [PubMed / in process]
21: Eur J Intern Med. 2006 Dec;17(8):589.
Aloe vera/induced acute toxic hepatitis in a healthy young man.
Kanat O, Ozet A, Ataergin S.
Uludag University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Oncology, Gorukle,
Bursa, Turkey.
Publication Types:
Letter
PMID: 17142185 [PubMed / in process]
22: Cell Mol Life Sci. 2006 Dec;63(24):3083/9.
Evaluation of the anti/angiogenic effect of aloe/emodin.
Cardenas C, Quesada AR, Medina MA.
Procel Lab, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of
Sciences, University of Malaga, 29071, Malaga, Spain.
The present study identified aloe/emodin (AE, a hydroxyanthraquinone from Aloe
vera and other plants) as a new anti/angiogenic compound with inhibitory effects
in an in vivo angiogenesis assay and evaluates its effects on specific key steps
of the angiogenic process. AE inhibits endothelial cell proliferation, but this
effect is not cell specific, since AE also inhibits tumor cell proliferation.
Cell migration and invasion are not remarkably affected by AE. On the other
hand, AE has different effects on endothelial and tumor cell gelatinases. Two
main targets of the pharmacological action of AE as an anti/angiogenic compound
seem to be urokinase secretion and tubule formation of endothelial cells.
Finally, AE produces a remarkable photocytotoxic effect on tumor cells. Taken
together, our data indicate that AE can behave both as an anti/tumor and an
anti/angiogenic compound and suggest that AE could be a candidate drug for
photodynamic therapy.
Publication Types:
Evaluation Studies
Research Support, Non/U.S. Gov't
PMID: 17131052 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
23: Pak J Pharm Sci. 2006 Oct;19(4):337/40.
The protective effect of aloe vera juice on lindane induced hepatotoxicity and
genotoxicity.
Etim OE, Farombi EO, Usoh IF, Akpan EJ.
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences University of Uyo,
Uyo, Nigeria. yirebong_123@yahoo.com
The protective effect of fresh aloe vera (AV) leaves extract on lindane (LD) /
induced hepatoxicity and genotoxicity was studied. Serum levels of hepatic
enzyme markers: glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), glutamate oxaloacetate
transaminase (GOT), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase
(ALP) were determined after oral administration of aloe vera leaves extract and
lindane. The level of polychromatic erythrocytes was also observed. Pretreatment
with aloe vera leaves extract at concentration of 1.0 ml/kg body weight
significantly decreased (P<0.05) the serum levels of GPT (by 41.8%), GOT (by
36.5%), GGT (by 14.3%) and ALP (by 10.7%) induced by 100mg/kg body weight of
lindane. The level of polychromatic erythrocytes observed was not statistically
significant when compared to control.
PMID: 17105716 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
24: Br J Anaesth. 2007 Jan;98(1):23/8. Epub 2006 Nov 9.
I.V. infusion of a drag/reducing polymer extracted from aloe vera prolonged
survival time in a rat model of acute myocardial ischaemia.
Sakai T, Repko BM, Griffith BP, Waters JH, Kameneva MV.
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center,
University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
BACKGROUND: I.V. infusion of drag/reducing polymers (DRPs) has been shown to
improve survival time in animals subjected to haemorrhagic shock. We
hypothesized that DRPs might prolong survival time in rats following acute
myocardial ischaemia (AMI). METHODS: Sixteen adult male rats were anaesthetized
and mechanically ventilated. An i.v. infusion of either Dextran/40 2.5%
(Control, n=8) or Dextran/40 2.5% containing 50 microg ml(/1) of an aloe
vera/based DRP (DRP, n=8) was initiated at 3.5 ml h(/1). The left anterior
descending coronary artery was ligated. Blood pressure, skin/tissue perfusion,
and heart rate were monitored and arterial blood samples were analysed. RESULTS:
The mortality at 60 min following coronary ligation was 0% in the DRP group vs
50% in the control group (P=0.025). DRP/treated animals maintained higher mean
arterial pressure [60.9 (5.1) vs 47.5 (5.1) mm Hg, P=0.004] and tissue perfusion
[4.2 (3.4) vs 1.2 (0.5) TPU, P=0.029]. The DRP group trended towards better
acid/base status with base excess [/5.0 (1.7) vs /8.1 (5.1) mmol litre(/1),
P=0.083] and pH [7.42 (0.07) vs 7.35 (0.02), P=0.03]. CONCLUSIONS:
Administration of nanomolar concentrations of aloe vera/based DRP prolonged
survival time in animals with AMI. DRPs may offer a novel method to treat
organ/tissue hypoperfusion.
Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/U.S. Gov't
PMID: 17098722 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
25: Int J Pharm. 2007 Mar 21;333(1/2):10/6. Epub 2006 Oct 1.
Skin permeation enhancement potential of Aloe Vera and a proposed mechanism of
action based upon size exclusion and pull effect.
Cole L, Heard C.
Welsh School of Pharmacy, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3XF, United Kingdom.
The aim of this study was to determine in vitro the potential of Aloe Vera juice
as a skin permeation enhancer; a secondary aim was to probe the extent to which
Aloe Vera itself permeates the skin. Saturated solutions of caffeine,
colchicine, mefenamic acid, oxybutynin, and quinine were prepared at 32 degrees
C in Aloe Vera juice and water (control) and used to dose porcine ear skin
mounted in Franz diffusion cells with water as receptor phase. Receptor phase
samples were taken over a 48h period and permeants determined by reverse/phase
HPLC. For caffeine and mefenamic acid no significant enhancements occurred
between Aloe Vera and water as vehicles (p>0.05). However, for colchicine,
oxybutynin and quinine the presence of Aloe Vera within the formulation provided
enhancements (p</=0.05). Enhancement potential was dependent upon the molecular
weight of the drug in formulation, with the enhancement effect attributable to
as yet unidentified components within the Aloe Vera. Colchicine, with a
molecular weight of 399.44, achieved the best enhancement with an enhancement
ratio of 10.97. No correlation with lipophilicity was apparent. In a further
experiment, where freeze/dried Aloe Vera was reconstituted at 200% residue
level, permeation of quinine was 2.8x that from normal Aloe Vera, providing
further evidence for the presence of an enhancing factor within Aloe Vera.
Certain, although unidentified, components of Aloe Vera readily permeated skin
and the relative amount by which they permeated skin was inversely related to
the molecular weight of the drug in solution, thus enhancement ratio. A new
mechanistic rationale is proposed whereby larger drug solutes inhibit the
permeation of Alove Vera components, but also are then able to interact more
effectively with the enhancing factor and be subject to the pull effect.
PMID: 17088033 [PubMed / in process]
26: Onderstepoort J Vet Res. 2006 Sep;73(3):175/8.
Determination and quantification of the in vitro activity of Aloe marlothii (A.
Berger) subsp. marlothii and Elephantorrhiza elephantina (Burch.) skeels acetone
extracts against Ehrlichia ruminantium.
Naidoo V, Zweygarth E, Swan GE.
Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Paraclinical Sciences,
Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04,
Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.
An Ehrlichia ruminantium culture system was utilized for the anti/rickettsial
evaluation of two ethnoveterinary plants, Elephantorrhiza elephantina and Aloe
marlothii. Well/established E. ruminantium cultures were incubated with the
plant leaf acetone extracts and compared to oxytetracycline and untreated
controls. Effectivity was established by comparing the percentage parasitised
cells and the calculation of both EC50 and extrapolated EC90 in microg/ml. The
plant extracts were also screened for antibacterial activity using
bioautography. Elephantorrhiza elephantina and A. marlothii demonstrated
anti/ehrlichial activity with an EC50 of 111.4 and 64.5 microg/ml and EC90 of
228.9 and 129.9 microg/ml, respectively. The corresponding EC50 and EC90 for
oxytetracycline was 0.29 and 0.08 microg/ml. Both plants appeared to produce
their inhibitory activity by a similar mechanism, unrelated to that of the
tetracyclines. Both the plant acetone extracts demonstrated antibacterial
activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC strains).
Publication Types:
In Vitro
Research Support, Non/U.S. Gov't
PMID: 17058439 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
27: J Med Assoc Thai. 2006 Aug;89(8):1199/205.
Changes in urinary compositions among children after consuming prepared oral
doses of aloe (Aloe vera Linn).
Kirdpon S, Kirdpon W, Airarat W, Thepsuthammarat K, Nanakorn S.
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.
OBJECTIVES: 1) To investigate the amount of citrate and tartrate in aloe gel,
and in the urine of healthy normal children, before and after consuming fresh
aloe gel. 2) To evaluate the changes in the chemical composition of urine among
subjects after taking aloe gel. 3) To determine the value of consuming aloe gel
for prevention of renal stone formation. DESIGN: Experimental study. MATERIAL
AND METHOD: Thirteen healthy boys between 9 and 13 years of age were enrolled
(with informed permission) in the clinical trial. Subjects ingested 100 g of
fresh prepared aloe gel twice a day for seven consecutive days. The 24/hour
urine was collected one day prior to taking the gel (Day 0), Days 2 and 5 of
consumption, and Day 8 (one day after completion). The authors determined the
urine volume, osmolality, potassium, sodium, phosphate, calcium, magnesium, uric
acid, citrate, tartrate, oxalate, Permissible Increment in Calcium (PI Ca),
Permissible Increment in Oxalate (PI Ox), Concentration Product Ratio of Calcium
Phosphate (CPR CaPO4) and the citrate per creatinine ratio. RESULTS: The citrate
and tartrate concentration in 100 g of fresh aloe gel was 96.3 and 158.9 mg,
respectively. The 24/hr urine volume and urinary citrate excretion were
significantly increased (p < 0.05). The PI Ca and the PI Ox were also
significantly increased (p < 0.05). The other measurements were unremarkable.
CONCLUSION: One hundred grams of fresh Aloe vera gel contains 96.3 milligrams of
citrate and 158.9 milligrams of tartrate and were in the mid/range among Thai
fruits. Changes in chemical compositions of urine after aloe gel consumption
shows potential for preventing kidney stone formation among children.
Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
PMID: 17048430 [PubMed / in process]
28: J Med Assoc Thai. 2006 Aug;89 Suppl 2:S9/14.
Effect of aloe (Aloe vera Linn.) on healthy adult volunteers: changes in urinary
composition.
Kirdpon S, Kirdpon W, Airarat W, Trevanich A, Nanakorn S.
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.
OBJECTIVE: 1. To investigate the amount of citrate and tartrate in aloe gel, and
in the urine of healthy normal volunteers, before and after consuming fresh aloe
gel. 2. To evaluate the changes in the chemical composition of urine among
subjects after taking aloe gel. 3. To determine the value of consuming aloe gel
for prevention of renal stone formation. DESIGNS: Experimental study; before and
after experiment with no control group MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty one healthy
male medical students between 18 and 23 years of age were enrolled (with
informed consent) in the clinical trial. Subjects ingested 100 g of fresh aloe
gel twice a day for seven consecutive days. The 24/hr urine was collected one
day prior to taking the gel (Day 0), Days 2 and 5 of consumption, and Day 8 (one
day after completion). The authors determined the urine volume, osmolality,
potassium, sodium, phosphate, calcium, magnesium, uric acid, citrate, tartrate,
oxalate, Permissible Increment in calcium (PI in calcium), Permissible Increment
in oxalate (PI in oxalate), Concentration product ratio of calcium phosphate
(CPR of CaPO4) and the citrate per creatinine ratio. RESULTS: The citrate and
tartrate concentration in 100 g of fresh aloe gel was 96.3 and 158.9 mg,
respectively. The urinary excretion of oxalate was significantly decreased (p <
0.05). The PI in calcium was significantly increased (p < 0.05), while the
citrate excretion and PI in oxalate were consistently, albeit non/significantly,
increased. The mean CPR values of CaPO4 were decreased non/significantly. The
other measurements were unremarkable. CONCLUSION: Fresh Aloe vera gel (100 g)
contains 96.3 mg of citrate and 158.9 mg of tartrate. This is mid/range for Thai
fruits. Changes in chemical compositions of urine after aloe consumption shows
its potential for preventing kidney stone formation among adults.
Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
PMID: 17044448 [PubMed / in process]
29: Parasitol Today. 1998 Aug;14(8):314/8.
Neuroinflammatory Implications of Schistosoma mansoni Infection: New Information
from the Mouse Model.
Aloe L, Fiore M.
Institute of Neurobiology, CNR, Viale Marx 15/43, 00137 Rome, Italy.
Schistosoma mansoni infection is known to induce granulomas, not only in the
liver and intestine, but also in the brain, resulting in neuropathological and
psychiatric disorders. In the past, the interaction between Schistosoma mansoni
infection and the nervous system has received little attention. Here, Luigi Aloe
and Marco Fiore discuss recent findings from experimental Schistosoma mansoni
infection in the mouse nervous system showing that brain granulomas are
associated with a significant alteration in the constitutive expression of nerve
growth factor, a neurotrophic factor that plays an essential role in growth and
differentiation and in preventing neuronal damage. These findings suggest that
the neuropathological dysfunctions in neuroschistosomiasis may be linked to
changes in the basal levels and/or activity of neurotrophic factors caused by
local formation of granulomas.
PMID: 17040797 [PubMed / in process]
30: J Ethnobiol Ethnomedicine. 2006 Oct 13;2:45.
Ethnomedicines used in Trinidad and Tobago for urinary problems and diabetes
mellitus.
Lans CA.
BCICS, University of Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 2Y2, Canada.
cher2lans@netscape.net.
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: This paper is based on ethnobotanical interviews conducted
from 1996/2000 in Trinidad and Tobago with thirty male and female respondents.
METHODS: A non/experimental validation was conducted on the plants used for
urinary problems and diabetes mellitus: This is a preliminary step to establish
that the plants used are safe or effective, to help direct clinical trials, and
to inform Caribbean physicians of the plants' known properties to avoid
counter/prescribing. RESULTS: The following plants are used to treat diabetes:
Antigonon leptopus, Bidens alba, Bidens pilosa, Bixa orellana, Bontia
daphnoides, Carica papaya, Catharanthus roseus, Cocos nucifera, Gomphrena
globosa, Laportea aestuans, Momordica charantia, Morus alba, Phyllanthus
urinaria and Spiranthes acaulis. Apium graviolens is used as a heart tonic and
for low blood pressure. Bixa orellana, Bontia daphnoides, Cuscuta americana and
Gomphrena globosa are used for jaundice. The following plants are used for
hypertension: Aloe vera, Annona muricata, Artocarpus altilis, Bixa orellana,
Bidens alba, Bidens pilosa, Bonta daphnoides, Carica papaya, Cecropia peltata,
Citrus paradisi, Cola nitida, Crescentia cujete, Gomphrena globosa, Hibiscus
sabdariffa, Kalanchoe pinnata, Morus alba, Nopalea cochinellifera, Ocimum
campechianum, Passiflora quadrangularis, Persea americana and Tamarindus
indicus.The plants used for kidney problems are Theobroma cacao, Chamaesyce
hirta, Flemingia strobilifera, Peperomia rotundifolia, Petiveria alliacea,
Nopalea cochinellifera, Apium graveolens, Cynodon dactylon, Eleusine indica,
Gomphrena globosa, Pityrogramma calomelanos and Vetiveria zizanioides. Plants
are also used for gall stones and for cooling. CONCLUSION: Chamaesyce hirta,
Cissus verticillata, Kalanchoe pinnata, Peperomia spp., Portulaca oleraceae,
Scoparia dulcis, and Zea mays have sufficient evidence to support their
traditional use for urinary problems, "cooling" and high cholesterol.Eggplant
extract as a hypocholesterolemic agent has some support but needs more study.
The plants used for hypertension, jaundice and diabetes that may be safe and
justify more formal evaluation are Annona squamosa, Aloe vera, Apium graveolens,
Bidens alba, Carica papaya, Catharanthus roseus, Cecropia peltata, Citrus
paradisi, Hibsicus sabdariffa, Momordica charantia, Morus alba, Persea
americana, Phyllanthus urinaria, Tamarindus indicus and Tournefortia
hirsutissima. Several of the plants are used for more than one condition and
further trials should take this into account.
PMID: 17040567 [PubMed / in process]
31: Skin Res Technol. 2006 Nov;12(4):241/6.
Moisturizing effect of cosmetic formulations containing Aloe vera extract in
different concentrations assessed by skin bioengineering techniques.
Dal'Belo SE, Gaspar LR, Maia Campos PM.
Laboratory of Cosmetic Technology, Faculdade de Ciencias Farmaceuticas de
Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The polysaccharide/rich composition of Aloe vera extracts
(Aloe barbadensis Miller), often used in cosmetic formulations, may impart
moisturizing properties to the product. The aim of this study was to evaluate
the effect of cosmetic formulations containing different concentrations of
freeze/dried Aloe vera extract on skin hydration, after a single and a 1/ and
2/week period of application, by using skin bioengineering techniques. METHODS:
Stable formulations containing 5% (w/w) of a trilaureth/4 phosphate/based blend
were supplemented with 0.10%, 0.25% or 0.50% (w/w) of freeze/dried Aloe vera
extract and applied to the volar forearm of 20 female subjects. Skin conditions
in terms of the water content of the stratum corneum and of transepidermal water
loss (TEWL) (Corneometer CM 825 and Tewameter TM 210) were analysed before and
after a single and 1/ and 2/week period of daily application. RESULTS: After a
single application, only formulations supplemented with 0.25% and 0.50% (w/w) of
Aloe vera extract increased the water content of the stratum corneum, while
after the 2/week period application, all formulations containing the extract
(0.10%, 0.25% and 0.50%) had the same effect, in both cases as compared with the
vehicle. TEWL was not modified after a single and after 1/ and 2/week period of
application, when compared with the vehicle. CONCLUSION: Our results show that
freeze/dried Aloe vera extract is a natural effective ingredient for improving
skin hydration, possibly through a humectant mechanism. Consequently, it may be
used in moisturizing cosmetic formulations and also as a complement in the
treatment of dry skin.
Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Research Support, Non/U.S. Gov't
PMID: 17026654 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
32: Med Res Rev. 2006 Oct 4; [Epub ahead of print]
Anti/cancer properties of anthraquinones from Rhubarb.
Huang Q, Lu G, Shen HM, Chung MC, Ong CN.
Department of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School
of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
Rhubarb has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine since ancient times and
today it is still present in various herbal preparations. In this review the
toxicological and anti/neoplastic potentials of the main anthraquinones from
Rhubarb, Rheum palmatum, will be highlighted. It is interesting to note that
although the chemical structures of various anthraquinones in this plant are
similar, their bioactivities are rather different. The most abundant
anthraquinone of rhubarb, emodin, was capable of inhibiting cellular
proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and prevention of metastasis. These
capabilities are reported to act through tyrosine kinases, phosphoinositol
3/kinase (PI3K), protein kinase C (PKC), NF/kappa B (NF/kappaB), and
mitogen/activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades. Aloe/emodin is
another major component in rhubarb found to have anti/tumor properties. Its
anti/proliferative property has been demonstrated to be through the p53 and its
downstream p21 pathway. Our recent proteomic study also suggests that the
molecular targets of these two anthraquinones are different. However, both
components were found to be able to potentiate the anti/proliferation of various
chemotherapeutic agents. Rhein is the other major rhubarb anthraquinone,
although less well studied. This compound could effectively inhibit the uptake
of glucose in tumor cells, caused changes in membrane/associated functions and
led to cell death. Interestingly, all three major rhubarb anthraquinones were
reported to have in vitro phototoxic. This re/evaluation of an old remedy
suggests that several bioactive anthraquinones of rhubarb possess promising
anti/cancer properties and could have a broad therapeutic potential. (c) 2006
Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev.
PMID: 17022020 [PubMed / as supplied by publisher]
33: Int Immunopharmacol. 2006 Nov;6(11):1634/41. Epub 2006 May 22.
Macrophage activation by polysaccharide biological response modifier isolated
from Aloe vera L. var. chinensis (Haw.) Berg.
Liu C, Leung MY, Koon JC, Zhu LF, Hui YZ, Yu B, Fung KP.
Department of Biochemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT,
Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
A mannose/rich polysaccharide biological response modifier (BRM), derived from
Aloe vera L. var. chinensis (Haw.) Berg., was demonstrated to be a potent murine
B/ and T/cell stimulator in our previous study. We here report the stimulatory
activity of PAC/I on murine peritoneal macrophage. The polysaccharide when
injected into mice enhanced the migration of macrophages to the peritoneal
cavity. Peritoneal macrophage when treated by PAC/I in vitro had increased
expression of MHC/II and FcgammaR, and enhanced endocytosis, phagocytosis,
nitric oxide production, TNF/alpha secretion and tumor cell cytotoxicity. The
administration of PAC/I into allogeneic ICR mice stimulated systemic TNF/alpha
production in a dose/dependent manner and prolonged the survival of
tumor/bearing mice. PAC/I is thus a potent stimulator of murine macrophage and
the in vitro observed tumoricidal properties of activated macrophage might
account for the in vivo antitumor properties of PAC/I. Our research findings may
have therapeutic implications in tumor immunotherapy.
Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/U.S. Gov't
PMID: 16979117 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
34: Guang Pu Xue Yu Guang Pu Fen Xi. 2006 Jun;26(6):1170/2.
[Determination and analysis of trace element manganese and amino acids content
in aloe tea]
[Article in Chinese]
Dong SF, Liu J, Sun XL, Han LQ, Zhao WX.
The Jilin Military Medical College, Fourth Military Medical University, China.
The content of trace element manganese in aloe tea was determined by atomic
absorption spectrophotometry. The contents of 17 kinds of amino acids in aloe
tea were determined with amino acids instrumentation. The results showed that
there are comparatively rich manganese and amino acids in aloe tea. The content
of manganese in red tea is more than in green tea, and the dissolving ratio is
more than 50% in boiled water, and first dissolving ratio is more than second
dissolving ratio, which is more than third dissolving ratio. There are 7 kinds
of amino acids essential to human body, among which are comparatively high
aspartic acid, glutamic acid and leucine in aloe tea. It's outstanding
characteristic is comparatively high content of manganese in aloe health tea. It
has provided useful data for probing into the relationship between trace
elements and amino acids in aloe health tea and health care function.
Publication Types:
English Abstract
PMID: 16961260 [PubMed / in process]
35: Adv Skin Wound Care. 2006 Jul/Aug;19(6):2, 7.
Treatment options for biochemical relief from pruritus.
Verhage MM.
Hyperbaric & Wound Care Associates, Aurora Health Care, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
Publication Types:
Review
PMID: 16948197 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
36: Acta Crystallograph Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun. 2006 Sep 1;62(Pt
9):899/901. Epub 2006 Aug 18.
Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of a novel plant type
III polyketide synthase that produces pentaketide chromone.
Morita H, Kondo S, Abe T, Noguchi H, Sugio S, Abe I, Kohno T.
Mitsubishi Kagaku Institute of Life Sciences (MITILS), 11 Minamiooya, Machida,
Tokyo 194/8511, Japan.
Pentaketide chromone synthase (PCS) from Aloe arborescens is a novel
plant/specific type III polyketide synthase that catalyzes the formation of
5,7/dihydroxy/2/methylchromone from five molecules of malonyl/CoA. Recombinant
PCS expressed in Escherichia coli was crystallized by the hanging/drop
vapour/diffusion method. The crystals belonged to space group P2(1), with
unit/cell parameters a = 73.2, b = 88.4, c = 70.0 A, alpha = gamma = 90.0, beta
= 95.6 degrees . Diffraction data were collected to 1.6 A resolution using
synchrotron radiation at BL24XU of SPring/8.
Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/U.S. Gov't
PMID: 16946474 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
37: Fen Zi Xi Bao Sheng Wu Xue Bao. 2006 Feb;39(1):55/60.
[Ultracytochemical studies of aloin in Aloe arborescens leaves]
[Article in Chinese]
Liao HM, Shen ZG, Sheng XY, Hu ZH.
Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China (Northwest
University), Ministry of Education, Xi'an 710069.
Lead acetate precipitation method was used for ultracytochemical localization of
aloin. The processes of aloin production, transport and storage were studied by
transmission electron microscope. Results showed that aloin was produced in the
plastids of the assimilating tissue. The aloin was transported through the
plastid membrane to the surrounding endoplasmic reticulum and enveloped in the
vesicles by the endoplasmic reticulum elements, the vesicles approached and
later fused with the plasmalemma. Some vesicles of the plastid membrane directly
fused with the plasmalemma. The vesicles released their contents into the
apoplast through exocytosis, and finally reached the vascular bundle sheath by
apoplastic translocation. Aloin was transported to the internal tangential wall
of vascular bundle sheath cell through endoplasmic reticulum vesicles, and
reached the cytoplasm of aloin cell by means of plasmodesmata. Finally, aloin
was stored in the vacuoles of aloin cell.
Publication Types:
English Abstract
PMID: 16944572 [PubMed / in process]
38: Clin Hemorheol Microcirc. 2006;35(3):359/66.
Anti/inflammatory effects of Aloe vera on leukocyte/endothelium interaction in
the gastric microcirculation of Helicobacter pylori/infected rats.
Prabjone R, Thong/Ngam D, Wisedopas N, Chatsuwan T, Patumraj S.
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok
10330, Thailand.
This research was aimed to investigate anti/inflammatory effects of Aloe vera on
leukocyte/endothelium in the gastric microcirculation of Helicobacter pylori (H.
pylori)/infected rats. Thirty/six male Sprague/Dawley rats were divided into 3
groups: control, H. pylori/infected, and A. vera/treated group (200 mg/kg b.w.,
twice daily). H. pylori/inoculation was induced in the rats by the
administration of H. pylori solution. Intravital fluorescence videomicroscopy
was used to examine leukocyte adhesion in postcapillary venules on the posterior
surface of stomach area on different periods after administration of A. vera.
Serum tumor necrosis factor/alpha (TNF/alpha) level was measured in blood
collected at the end of experiment by using ELISA technique. The results showed
that in H. pylori/infected group on day 8, the leukocyte adhesion was
13.40+//1.00 cells/100 microm vessel length and the TNF/alpha was 76.76+//23.18
pg/ml, which increased significantly (p < 0.05), compared with the control group
(leukocyte adhesion(control) = 2.54+//0.6 cells/100 microm vessel length and
TNF/alpha(control) = 9.92+//2.62 pg/ml). Treatment with A. vera reduced the
leukocyte adhesion (5.5+//0.5 cells/100 microm vessel length), and TNF/alpha
(26.31+//6.38 pg/ml) significantly (p < 0.05). In conclusion, H. pylori enhanced
leukocyte/endothelium interaction in the posterior stomach area markedly. This
enhancement in leukocyte/endothelium interaction could be improved by the
treatment of A. vera, associated with reduction in TNF/alpha level.
Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/U.S. Gov't
PMID: 16899957 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
39: J Agromedicine. 2006;11(1):49/58.
Personal dust exposures at a food processing facility.
Lacey SE, Conroy LM, Forst LS, Franke JE, Wadden RA, Hedeker DR.
University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health, Division of
Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
slacey@uic.edu
A field study was performed to quantify personal dust exposures at a food
processing facility. A review of the literature shows very little exposure
information in the food processing industry. The processing area consisted of a
series of four rooms, connected by a closed/loop ventilation system, housed
within a larger warehouse/type facility. Workers were exposed to various fruit
and vegetable dusts during the grinding, sieving, mixing and packaging of
freeze/dried or air/dried products. Eight two/hour periods were monitored over
two days. Personal total suspended particulate samples were collected on 37 mm
PVC filters with 5 microm pore size according to National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Method 0500. The filters were analyzed
gravimetrically. The two/hour task sampling personal dust exposures ranged from
0.33/103 mg/m3. For each worker, an eight/hour time weighted average (TWA)
concentration was calculated, and these ranged from 3.08/59.8 mg/m3. Although
there are no directly appropriate occupational exposure limits that may be used
for comparison, we selected the Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for particulates not
otherwise classified (PNOC) of 10 mg/m3 for inhalable particles. Neglecting the
respiratory protection used, five out of eight of the worker time/weighted
averages exceeded the TLV. It should be noted that the TLV is based on the
inhalable fraction and in this study total suspended particulate was measured;
additionally, the TLV is applicable for dusts that are insoluble or poorly
soluble, and have low toxicity, which may have limited protective ability in
this case due to the irritant nature of certain dusts (e.g., jalapeno peppers,
aloe vera). Sieving resulted in significantly higher exposure than grinding and
blending. Measuring area concentrations alone in this environment is not a
sufficient method of estimating personal exposures due to work practices for
some operations.
Publication Types:
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
PMID: 16893837 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
40: J Ethnobiol Ethnomedicine. 2006 Aug 7;2:31.
Ethnoveterinary medicines used for horses in Trinidad and in British Columbia,
Canada.
Lans C, Turner N, Brauer G, Lourenco G, Georges K.
University of Victoria, Environmental Science, British Columbia, V8W 3P5,
Canada. trini@uvic.ca.
ABSTRACT: This paper investigates the commonalities in ethnoveterinary medicine
used for horses between Trinidad (West Indies) and British Columbia (Canada).
These research areas are part of a common market in pharmaceuticals and are both
involved in the North American racing circuit. There has been very little
research conducted on medicinal plants used for horses although their use is
widespread. The data on ethnoveterinary medicines used for horses was obtained
through key informant interviews with horse owners, trainers, breeders, jockeys,
grooms and animal care specialists in two research areas: Trinidad and British
Columbia (BC). A participatory validation workshop was held in BC. An extensive
literature review and botanical identification of the plants was also done. In
all, 20 plants were found to be used in treating racehorses in Trinidad and 97
in BC. Of these the most/evidently effective plants 19 of the plants used in
Trinidad and 66 of those used in BC are described and evaluated in this paper.
Aloe vera, Curcuma longa and Ricinus communis are used in both research areas.
More research is needed in Trinidad to identify plants that respondents claimed
were used in the past. Far more studies have been conducted on the temperate and
Chinese medicinal plants used in BC and therefore these ethnoveterinary remedies
reflect stronger evidence of efficacy.
PMID: 16893454 [PubMed / in process]
41: Drug Deliv. 2006 Sep/Oct;13(5):323/30.
Preparation and characterization of oxybenzone/loaded gelatin microspheres for
enhancement of sunscreening efficacy.
Patel M, Jain SK, Yadav AK, Gogna D, Agrawal GP.
Pharmaceutics Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr.
Hari Singh Gour University, Sagar, India.
The objective of our present study was to prepare and evaluate gelatin
microspheres of oxybenzone to enhance its sunscreening efficacy. The gelatin
microspheres of oxybenzone were prepared by emulsion method. Process parameters
were analyzed to optimize the formulation. The in vitro drug release study was
performed in pH 7.4 using cellulose acetate membrane. Microspheres prepared
using oxybenzone:gelatin ratio of 1:6 showed slowest drug release and those
prepared with oxybenzone:gelatin ratio of 1:2 showed fastest drug release. The
gelatin microspheres of oxybenzone were incorporated in aloe vera gel. Sun
exposure method using sodium nitroprusside solution was used for in vitro
sunscreen efficacy testing. The formulation C5 containing oxybenzone/bearing
gelatin microspheres in aloe vera gel showed best sunscreen efficacy. The
formulations were evaluated for skin irritation test in human volunteers, sun
protection factor, and minimum erythema dose in albino rats. These studies
revealed that the incorporation of sunscreening agent/loaded microspheres into
aloe vera gel greatly increased the efficacy of sunscreen formulation more than
four times.
Publication Types:
Comparative Study
Research Support, Non/U.S. Gov't
PMID: 16877306 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
42: J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2007 Jan 4;43(1):352/7. Epub 2006 Jul 27.
Rapid separation and determination of structurally related anthraquinones in
Rhubarb by pressurized capillary electrochromatography.
Lu H, Wang J, Wang X, Lin X, Wu X, Xie Z.
The Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety (Fuzhou
University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China.
A pressurized capillary electrochromatography (pCEC) with monolithic column has
been developed for the rapid separation and determination of five structurally
related anthraquinones in Rhubarb. The possibility of rapid separation resulted
from the unique pore structure with high permeability and favorable mass
transfer characteristics of the monolithic stationary phase. The effect factors
such as organic modifier, acidity and concentration of running buffer,
separation voltage were investigated to acquire the optimum condition. In the
220 nm wavelengths, the five anthraquinones could be baseline/separated rapidly
within 5 min with the separation voltage of /20 kV in 10 mmol/L phosphate buffer
(pH 6.2) containing 65% acetonitrile. The calibration graphs of rhein,
aloe/emodin, emodin chrysophanol and physcion were linear by plotting the peak
area against the analytes concentration over the range of 0.2/65, 0.1/30,
0.1/55, 0.5/30 and 0.5/55 microg/mL, respectively. The detection limits of five
anthraquinones were ranged from 0.06 to 0.2 microg/mL and the recoveries of
Rhubarb samples were about 81.3/86.4% (R.S.D.< or = 5.2%). This proposed method
was successfully applied to determination of the five analytes in Rhubarb with
satisfactory results.
Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/U.S. Gov't
PMID: 16875795 [PubMed / in process]
43: J Asian Nat Prod Res. 2006 Apr/May;8(3):281/6.
PTP1B inhibitors from Saussrurea lappa.
Li S, An TY, Li J, Shen Q, Lou FC, Hu LH.
Department of Phytochemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210038,
China.
A new lignan glycoside, named
1,5/dihydroxypinoresinol/4'/O/beta/d/glucopyranoside (1), has been isolated from
the EtOH extract of the roots of Saussurea lappa, together with twenty known
compounds: (+)/1/hydroxypinoresinol/1/O/beta/D/glucopyranoside (2),
fraxiresinol/4'/O/beta/D/glucopyranoside (3),
(/)/olivil/4''/O/beta/D/glucopyranoside (4),
4/allyl/2,6/dimethoxybenzene/1/O/beta/D/glucopyranoside, syringin,
costunolide/15/O/beta/D/glucopyranoside, chlorogenic acid,
aloe/emodin/8/O/beta/D/glucopyranoside (5), rhein/8/O/beta/D/glucopyranoside
(6), chrysophanol (7), emodin, dehydrocostus lactone, costunolide, beta/costic
acid, reynosin, arbusculin A, alpha/cyclocostunolide, beta/cyclocostunolide,
santamarine and magnolialide. Three anthraquinones (5/7) showed moderate
bioactivity against human Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B (hPTP1B) in vitro.
Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/U.S. Gov't
PMID: 16864436 [PubMed / in process]
44: J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2007 Jan 4;43(1):66/72. Epub 2006 Jul 18.
Simultaneous determination of eight active components in Chinese medicine
'YIQING' capsule using high/performance liquid chromatography.
Qu H, Ma Y, Yu K, Cheng Y.
Department of Chinese Medicine Science and Engineering, College of
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
An effective, accurate and reliable method for the simultaneous separation and
determination of eight active components (berberine, aloe/emodin, rhein, emodin,
chrysophanol, baicalin, baicalein and wogonin) in Chinese medicine 'YIQING'
capsule was developed using reverse phase high/performance liquid chromatography
(RP/HPLC) coupled with diode array detection. The chromatographic separation was
performed on a Lichrospher C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm i.d. with 5.0 microm
particle size) with a simple linear gradient elution programme. Due to the
different UV characteristic of these components, three detection wavelengths
were utilized for the quantitative analysis (UV wavelength 254 nm for
anthraquinone derivatives, 278 nm for flavones compounds, and 345 nm for
protoberberine alkaloids, respectively). Excellent linear behaviors over the
investigated concentration ranges were observed with the values of R2 higher
than 0.99 for all the analytes. The recoveries, measured at three concentration
levels, varied from 94.9% to 105.3%. The validated method was successfully
applied to the simultaneously determination of these active components in
'YIQING' capsules from different production batches.
Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/U.S. Gov't
PMID: 16846714 [PubMed / in process]
45: Se Pu. 2006 Jan;24(1):42/5.
[Preparative separation of aloin diastereoisomers by high/speed countercurrent
chromatography combined with silica gel column chromatography]
[Article in Chinese]
Huang D, Cao X, Zhao H, Dong Y.
Beijing Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Research and Development, School of
Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business
University, Beijing 100037, China.
Aloin, naturally a mixture of two diastereoisomers, aloin A and aloin B, is the
major anthraquinone in aloe, and now served as one of the important control
constituents in most of the commercial aloe products. High/speed countercurrent
chromatography (HSCCC) combined with silica gel column chromatography was
developed for the preparative separation of the two individual aloins. Aloin A
(98%) and aloin B (96%) were obtained. Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry
(FAB/MS), 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and GOESY (gradient/enhanced
nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy) were employed for the elucidation of
their structure conformation. The developed method is of high preparative
capacity and high efficiency in resolution.
Publication Types:
English Abstract
PMID: 16827309 [PubMed / in process]
46: Biol Pharm Bull. 2006 Jul;29(7):1418/22.
Identification of five phytosterols from Aloe vera gel as anti/diabetic
compounds.
Tanaka M, Misawa E, Ito Y, Habara N, Nomaguchi K, Yamada M, Toida T, Hayasawa H,
Takase M, Inagaki M, Higuchi R.
Biochemical Research Laboratory, Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd, Kanagawa,
Japan. m_tanaka@morinagamilk.co.jp
The genus Aloe in the family Liliaceae is a group of plants including Aloe vera
(Aloe barbadensis MILLER) and Aloe arborescens (Aloe arborescens MILLER var.
natalensis BERGER) that are empirically known to have various medical
efficacies. In the present study, we evaluated the anti/hyperglycemic effect of
Aloe vera gel and isolated a number of compounds from the gel. On the basis of
spectroscopic data, these compounds were identified as lophenol,
24/methyl/lophenol, 24/ethyl/lophenol, cycloartanol, and
24/methylene/cycloartanol. These five phytosterols were evaluated for their
anti/hyperglycemic effects in type 2 diabetic BKS.Cg/m(+/+)Lepr(db/J) (db/db)
mice. In comparison with the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels of vehicle/treated
mice, statistically significant decreases of 15 to 18% in HbA1c levels were
observed in mice treated with 1 mug of the five phytosterols. Considering the
ability to reduce blood glucose in vivo, there were no differences between the
five phytosterols. Administration of beta/sitosterol did not reduce the blood
glucose levels in db/db mice. After administration of the five phytosterols for
28 d, fasting blood glucose levels decreased to approximately 64%, 28%, 47%,
51%, and 55% of control levels, respectively. Severe diabetic mice treated with
phytosterols derived from Aloe vera gel did not suffer weight reduction due to
glucose loss in the urine. These findings suggest that Aloe vera gel and
phytosterols derived from Aloe vera gel have a long/term blood glucose level
control effect and would be useful for the treatment of type 2 diabetes
mellitus.
PMID: 16819181 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
47: Phytochemistry. 2006 Jul;67(14):1486/92. Epub 2006 Jun 30.
Nutritional content of fresh, bee/collected and stored pollen of Aloe
greatheadii var. davyana (Asphodelaceae).
Human H, Nicolson SW.
Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Lynnwood Road,
Pretoria 0002, South Africa. hhuman@zoology.up.ac.za
Aloe greatheadii var. davyana is the most important indigenous South African bee
plant. Fresh, bee/collected and stored pollen of this aloe was collected and
analysed for its nutritional content, including amino acid and fatty acid
composition. Highly significant differences were found between the three types
of pollen. Collection and storage by the bees resulted in increased water
(13/21% wet weight) and carbohydrate content (35/61% dry weight), with a
resultant decrease in crude protein (51/28% dry weight) and lipid content (10/8%
dry weight). Essential amino acids were present in equal or higher amounts than
the required minimum levels for honeybee development, with the exception of
tryptophan. Fatty acids comprised a higher proportion of total lipid in fresh
pollen than in bee/collected and stored pollen. This study is the first to
compare the changes that occur in pollen of a single species after collection by
honeybees.
Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/U.S. Gov't
PMID: 16808932 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
48: J Drugs Dermatol. 2006 Jun;5(6):512/7.
Immune protection, natural products, and skin cancer: is there anything new
under the sun?
Aboutalebi S, Strickland FM.
Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center,
Amarillo, TX, USA.
Non/melanoma skin cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell
carcinoma are the most common types of human neoplasms, representing one third
of all new malignancies diagnosed in the US. The number of new cases diagnosed
per year in the US alone is approaching one million and continues to rise.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is a major cause of non/melanoma skin
cancer in humans. Aside from the mutagenic effects of UV radiation, there are
suggestions from clinical studies and evidence in animal models that the immune
system plays an important role in preventing skin cancer development and
progression, and is suppressed by cutaneous exposure to UV radiation. In this
article, we review the research on new and existing agents that are being
developed to protect the skin immune response from suppression by UV radiation.
We also discuss the current state of knowledge regarding their mechanism of
action in humans as well as animal models of photosuppression, and their
efficacy in cancer prevention.
Publication Types:
Review
PMID: 16774102 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
49: J Dairy Sci. 2006 Jul;89(7):2539/41.
Short communication: disinfectant containing a complex of skin conditioners.
Fox LK, Gradle C, Dee A.
College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman 99164, USA.
Fox@wsu.edu
The efficacies of 2 new teat dip formulations were tested against experimental
challenge by contagious mastitis pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and
Streptococcus agalactiae over a 12/wk period. Formulations contained an iodine
complex (0.5 or 1.0% iodine) and skin conditioning agents (propylene glycol,
polyvinylpyrridone, glycerine, lanolin, allantoin, and aloe). Percentage
reduction (dipped vs. control mammary quarters) in new contagious mastitis
pathogen intramammary infections for the 0.5 and 1.0% iodine dips was 65.4 and
84.5, respectively. Both dips were significantly effective in reducing new
contagious intramammary infections. Teat skin scores and teat end scores varied
over time but were virtually identical for both treated and control teats, for
both treatments. Thus, both dips were effective in reducing new contagious
mastitis infections without untoward effects on teat skin condition.
PMID: 16772572 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
50: Int J Clin Pract. 2006 Sep;60(9):1080/6. Epub 2006 Jun 2.
Randomised double/blind placebo/controlled trial of aloe vera for irritable
bowel syndrome.
Davis K, Philpott S, Kumar D, Mendall M.
St Georges Hospital Medical School, London, UK.
Aloe vera (AV) is suggested to be beneficial in treating irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS) symptoms, but no scientific trials exist to confirm this. We aim
to assess the efficacy of AV on IBS in refractory secondary care patients.
Patients with IBS were randomised to receive AV or matching placebo for a month.
Symptoms were assessed at baseline, 1 and 3 months. Fifty/eight patients
randomised, 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). Diarrhoea predominant patients showed a trend towards a
response to treatment at 1 month (10/23 V 2/14, p = 0.07). There was no evidence
that AV benefits patients with IBS. However, we could not rule out the
possibility that improvement occurred in patients with diarrhoea or alternating
IBS whilst taking AV. Further investigations are warranted in patients with
diarrhoea predominant IBS, in a less complex group of patients.
Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/U.S. Gov't
PMID: 16749917 [PubMed / in process]
51: J Agric Food Chem. 2006 May 31;54(11):3882/6.
Use of Aloe vera gel coating preserves the functional properties of table
grapes.
Serrano M, Valverde JM, Guillen F, Castillo S, Martinez/Romero D, Valero D.
Department of Food Technology, and Department of Applied Biology, EPSO,
University Miguel Hernandez, Ctra. Beniel km. 3.2, 03312 Orihuela, Alicante,
Spain.
Table grapes (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Crimson Seedless) were coated with Aloe vera
gel according to our developed patent (SP Patent P200302937) and then stored for
35 days at 1 degrees C, and the subsequent shelf life (SL) was monitored at 20
degrees C. Uncoated clusters showed a rapid loss of functional compounds, such
as total phenolics and ascorbic acid. These changes were accompanied by
reduction of the total antioxidant activity (TAA) and increases in total
anthocyanins, showing an accelerated ripening process. On the contrary, table
grapes coated with Aloe vera gel significantly delayed the above changes, such
as the retention of ascorbic acid during cold storage or SL. Consequently, Aloe
vera gel coating, a simple and noncontaminating treatment, maintained the
functional properties during postharvest storage of table grapes.
Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/U.S. Gov't
PMID: 16719510 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
52: J Environ Sci Health C Environ Carcinog Ecotoxicol Rev. 2006
Apr;24(1):103/54.
An evaluation of the biological and toxicological properties of Aloe barbadensis
(miller), Aloe vera.
Boudreau MD, Beland FA.
National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, Arkansas, USA.
mary.boudreau@fda.hhs.gov
Aloe barbadensis (Miller), Aloe vera, has a long history of use as a topical and
oral therapeutic. The plant is the source of two products, gel and latex, which
are obtained from its fleshy leaves. Aloe vera products contain multiple
constituents with potential biological and toxicological activities, yet the
active components elude definition. Ingestion of Aloe vera is associated with
diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance, kidney dysfunction, and conventional drug
interactions; episodes of contact dermatitis, erythema, and phototoxicity have
been reported from topical applications. This review examines the botany,
physical and chemical properties, and biological activities of the Aloe vera
plant.
Publication Types:
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
Review
PMID: 16690538 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
53: Methods Mol Biol. 2006;318:179/85.
Micropropagation of endangered plant species.
Liao Z, Chen M, Sun X, Tang K.
State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences,
Fudan/SJTU/Nottingham Plant Biotechnology Research and Development Center,
Morgan/Tan International Center for Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai,
P.R. China.
This chapter describes the multiple/shoot/based methods of micropropagation for
endangered plant species. Taxus and aloe are used here as examples. For Taxus,
the process of micropropagation includes initiating multiple shoots, elongating
shoots, rooting shoots, and transplanting plantlets. For aloe, the process of
micropropagation includes initiating multiple shoots, rooting shoots, and
transplanting plantlets.
Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/U.S. Gov't
PMID: 16673915 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
54: J S Afr Vet Assoc. 2005 Dec;76(4):193/6.
Efficacy of orally administered powdered aloe juice (Aloe ferox) against ticks
on cattle and ticks and fleas on dogs.
Fourie JJ, Fourie LJ, Horak IG.
Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, PO Box 339,
Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa. josephus@clinvet.com
The efficacy of orally administered powdered aloe juice (Aloe ferox) was
evaluated against ticks on cattle and against ticks and fleas on dogs. Twelve
calves were each infested over a 25/day period with approximately 4000 larvae of
Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus and allocated to 3 groups of 4 calves
each. Three days after the last larval infestation and daily for 22 days
thereafter, the calves in 1 group were fed 5 mg/kg body weight and those in
another 25 mg/kg body weight of powdered aloe juice incorporated in game
maintenance pellets, while the animals in the 3rd group received only pellets.
Detached female ticks were collected daily and counted and the weights and the
fertility of groups of 50 engorged female ticks collected from the animals were
ascertained. The powdered aloe juice in the game maintenance pellets had no
effect on the tick burdens of the calves or on the fertility of the ticks. Six
dogs, in each of 2 groups, were treated daily for 15 consecutive days,
commencing on Day /5 before the 1st tick infestation, with either 0.39 g or 0.74
g of powdered aloe juice, administered orally in gelatin capsules, while a 3rd
group of 6 dogs served as untreated controls. All the dogs were challenged with
Haemaphysalis leachi on Days 0 and + 7, and with Ctenocephalides felis on Days +
1 and + 8, and efficacy assessments were made 1 day after flea and 2 days after
tick challenge, respectively. Treatment was not effective against ticks or fleas
on the dogs.
PMID: 16642714 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
55: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006 Apr 19;(2):CD000978.
Comment in:
ACP J Club. 2006 Nov/Dec;145(3):75.
Evid Based Dent. 2006;7(4):104/5.
Evid Based Nurs. 2007 Jan;10(1):13.
Update of:
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;(3):CD000978.
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving
treatment.
Worthington HV, Clarkson JE, Eden OB.
School of Dentistry, University of Manchester, MANDEC, Higher Cambridge Street,
Manchester, UK, M15 6FH. helen.worthington@manchester.ac.uk
BACKGROUND: Treatment of cancer is increasingly more effective but is associated
with short and long/term side effects. Oral side effects remain a major source
of illness despite the use of a variety of agents to prevent them. One of these
side effects is oral mucositis (mouth ulcers). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the
effectiveness of prophylactic agents for oral mucositis in patients with cancer
receiving treatment, compared with other potentially active interventions,
placebo or no treatment. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials
Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE
and EMBASE were searched. Reference lists from relevant articles were scanned
and the authors of eligible studies were contacted to identify trials and obtain
additional information.Date of most recent searches: April 2004. SELECTION
CRITERIA: Trials were selected if they met the following criteria: design /
random allocation of participants; participants / anyone with cancer receiving
chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment for cancer; interventions / agents
prescribed to prevent oral mucositis; outcomes / prevention of mucositis, pain,
amount of analgesia, dysphagia, systemic infection, length of hospitalisation,
cost and patient quality of life. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Information
regarding methods, participants, interventions and outcome measures and results
were independently extracted, in duplicate, by two review authors. Authors were
contacted for details of randomisation and withdrawals and a quality assessment
was carried out. The Cochrane Oral Health Group statistical guidelines were
followed and risk ratios (RR) calculated using random/effects models. MAIN
RESULTS: Two hundred and two studies were eligible. One hundred and thirty two
were excluded for various reasons, usually as there was no useable information
on mucositis. Of the 71 useable studies all had data for mucositis comprising
5217 randomised patients. Interventions evaluated were: acyclovir, allopurinol
mouthrinse, aloe vera, amifostine, antibiotic pastille or paste, benzydamine,
beta carotene, calcium phosphate, camomile, chlorhexidine, clarithromycin,
folinic acid, glutamine, GM/CSF, honey, hydrolytic enzymes, ice chips, iseganan,
keratinocyte GF, misonidazole, oral care, pentoxifylline, povidone, prednisone,
propantheline, prostaglandin, sucralfate, traumeel and zinc sulphate. Of the 29
interventions included in trials, 10 showed some evidence of a benefit (albeit
sometimes weak) for either preventing or reducing the severity of mucositis.
Interventions where there was more than one trial in the meta/analysis finding a
significant difference when compared with a placebo or no treatment were:
amifostine which provided minimal benefit in preventing moderate and severe
mucositis RR = 0.84 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.75 to 0.95) and 0.60 (95% CI
0.37 to 0.97), antibiotic paste or pastille demonstrated a moderate benefit in
preventing mucositis RR = 0.87 (95% CI 0.79 to 0.97), hydrolytic enzymes reduced
moderate and severe mucositis with RRs = 0.52 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.74) and 0.17
(95% CI 0.06 to 0.52), and ice chips prevented mucositis at all levels RR = 0.63
(95% CI 0.44 to 0.91), 0.43 (95% CI 0.23 to 0.81), 0.27 (95% CI 0.11 to 0.68).
Other interventions showing some benefit with only one study were: benzydamine,
calcium phosphate, honey, oral care protocols, povidone and zinc sulphate.The
number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one patient experiencing moderate or
severe mucositis over a baseline incidence of 60% for amifostine is 10 (95% CI 7
to 33), antibiotic paste or pastille 13 (95% CI 8 to 56), hydrolytic enzyme 4
(95% CI 3 to 6) and ice chips 5 (95% CI 3 to 19). When the baseline incidence is
40%/90% the NNTs for amifostine are 16/7, for antibiotic paste or pastille 19/7,
for hydrolytic enzyme 5/3 and for ice chips 7/3.The general reporting of RCTs
was poor. However, the assessments of the quality of the randomisation improved
when the authors provided additional information. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Several
of the interventions were found to have some benefit at preventing or reducing
the severity of mucositis associated with cancer treatment. The strength of the
evidence was variable and implications for practice include consideration that
benefits may be specific for certain cancer types and treatment. There is a need
for well designed and conducted trials with sufficient numbers of participants
to perform subgroup analyses by type of disease and chemotherapeutic agent.
Publication Types:
Meta/Analysis
Review
PMID: 16625538 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
56: J Med Assoc Thai. 2005 Sep;88 Suppl 4:S173/6.
Efficacy of aloe vera cream in prevention and treatment of sunburn and suntan.
Puvabanditsin P, Vongtongsri R.
Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,
Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. fmedphp@md2.md.chula.ac.th
The efficacy of aloe vera cream in prevention of burn and tan from ultraviolet
were studied in 20 volunteers. The minimal erythema dose of 20 volunteers were
tested. The mean MED was 40/60 mj. The well preserved containing 70% of aloe
vera cream. The aloe vera cream was applied randomized double blind technique on
the test sites 30 minutes before, immediately after, or both before and after
then the serial ultraviolet UVB 40,50,60,70,80 mj were radiated. MED reading at
24 hour for sunburn evaluation. Erythema and pigmentation were evaluated by
visual grading 1/4 score. The aloe vera cream was continuing applied at the test
sites twice daily for the the next three weeks. The results showed that the aloe
vera cream has no sunburn or suntan protection and no efficacy in sunburn
treatment when compared to placebo. The aloe vera cream has no bleaching effect
too.
Publication Types:
Randomized Controlled Trial
PMID: 16623024 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
57: Lasers Med Sci. 2006 Jul;21(2):82/5. Epub 2006 Apr 13.
Incidence of acneform reactions after laser hair removal.
Carter JJ, Lanigan SW.
The Birmingham Skin Centre, City Hospital NHS Trust, Dudley Road, Birmingham,
B18 7QH, UK.
There have been several studies published on the side effects of laser hair
removal, but none specifically looked at acneform reactions. The aim of this
study is to obtain an accurate assessment of the incidence of acneform reactions
after laser hair removal in relation to skin type, laser type, site of
treatment, polycystic ovarian syndrome history (PCOS), age, and sex of the
patient. This is a multi/centre prospective study of patients presenting for
laser hair removal. Data were gathered using a questionnaire completed by the
staff who performed the treatment. The incidence of acneform reactions was 6%.
The following variables showed a statistically significant effect on the
percentage of patients with reactions: age, with younger patients more likely to
develop lesions; those treated with the Nd:YAG laser type were more likely to
develop lesions than those treated with the alexandrite; and the Fitzpatrick
skin type V showed the highest incidence of acneform lesions, followed by skin
types II and IV. History of PCOS, number of prior treatments, use of aloe vera
cooling gel, and the sex of the patient had no apparent effect on the incidence
of acneform lesions. Acneform reactions are relatively common after laser hair
removal; however, in the majority of cases, the severity of the reaction was
mild and lasted for a short duration.
Publication Types:
Multicenter Study
PMID: 16612673 [PubMed / indexed for MEDLINE]
58: World J Gastroenterol. 2006 Apr 7;12(13):2034/9.
Effects of Aloe vera and sucralfate on gastric microcirculatory changes,
cytokine levels and gastric ulcer healing in rats.
Eamlamnam K, Patumraj S, Visedopas N, Thong/Ngam D.
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok
10330, Thailand.
AIM: To compare the effects of Aloe vera and sucralfate on gastric
microcirculatory changes, cytokine levels and gastric ulcer healing. METHODS:
Male Spraque/Dawley rats (n=48) were divided into four groups. Group1 served as
control group, group 2 as gastric ulcer group without treatment, groups 3 and 4
as gastric ulcer treatment groups with sucralfate and Aloe vera. The rats from
each group were divided into 2 subgroups for study of leukocyte adherence,
TNF/alpha and IL/10 levels and gastric ulcer healing on days 1 and 8 after
induction of gastric ulcer by 20% acetic acid. RESULTS: On day 1 after induction
of gastric ulcer, the leukocyte adherence in postcapillary venule was
significantly (P<0.05) increased in the ulcer groups when compared to the
control grou
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