Aloe Vera is a pharmacy in itself. Aloe Vera is probably known for wound healing and burn healing properties.Aloe Vera may help in gastric distress and may help ulcerative colitis or inflammatory bowel disease. Aloe Vera is used in Chinese Medicine for fighting infections. Researchers are doing a lot of research for aloe vera properties in helping to fight cancer. Aloe Vera may also have beneficial properties in helping to avoid liver damage in the treatment of diabetes II and in the treatment of diabetes. Aloe Vera may also be useful in the treatment of acute radiation dermatitis.

• J Wound Care. 2004 Apr;13(4):157-8.: Phytotherapy: an alternative treatment for non-healing ulcers.
  Avijgan M.
  Shahr-e-kord University of Medical Sciences, Shahr-e-kord, Iran.
  avijgan@yahoo.com
  There are few reports in the literature on the effectiveness of complimentary therapies on chronic wounds. Use of an aloe vera gel resulted in full healing after treatments such as antibiotics, surgical debridement and skin grafting had failed.
• Int Immunopharmacol. 2004 Mar;4(3):411-8.: Mannan from Aloe saponaria inhibits tumoral cell activation and proliferation.
  Sampedro MC, Artola RL, Murature M, Murature D, Ditamo Y, Roth GA, Kivatinitz S.
  Departamento de Quimica Biologica-CIQUIBIC, Facultad Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, Cuidad Universitaria, C5000GYA-Cordoba 5016, Argentina.
  In this study, we tested the antiproliferative effects of mannan from Aloe saponaria using normal murine (SpMC) and human cells (PBMC) and several tumoral cell lines. Employing flow cytometry, it could be determined that mannan inhibits the proliferative response in normal and tumoral cells. Mannan affects the expression of CD3(+) SpMC indicating that mannan inhibits mainly T lymphocyte proliferative response. Also in SpMC cultured with or without mitogen mannan produces an increase of an activation marker (CD25). On C1498 cell line, mannan reduces CD3 expression and abolishes the CD25 expression. In conclusion, mannan has a dual beneficial effect when applied to normal and tumoral cells at the same time by inhibiting the activation of cancer cells and improving that of normal ones.
• Oncol Nurs Forum. 2004 Mar-Apr;31(2):237-47. : Prevention and treatment of acute radiation dermatitis: a literature review.
  Wickline MM.
  Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, Washington, USA. mihkai@u.washington.edu
  PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To review historical and current research data on prevention and treatment of acute radiation dermatitis. DATA SOURCES: 18 research trials and 1 case report published from 1967-2001 and 1 unpublished research trial from 1972. DATA SYNTHESIS: Washing the skin with mild soap and water and the hair with mild shampoo is safe during radiation therapy. Biafine (Medix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Largo, FL), chamomile cream, almond ointment, topical vitamin C, and gentian violet have not been proven effective and should not be used. Transparent, hydrocolloid, and hydrogel dressings have been beneficial, as have sucralfate cream and corticosteroid cream. Aloe vera may be beneficial and is not harmful. CONCLUSIONS: The existing scientific data are lacking in quantity and quality. The current body of evidence is unable to provide clinicians with comprehensive guidelines for prevention and management of acute radiation dermatitis. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nurse clinicians and nurse scientists must partner to conduct further research to add to the limited resources about the prevention and management of acute radiation dermatitis and develop comprehensive evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.
• Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2004 Apr 1;19(7):739-47. : Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral aloe vera gel for active ulcerative colitis.
  Langmead L, Feakins RM, Goldthorpe S, Holt H, Tsironi E, De Silva A, Jewell DP, Rampton DS.
  Centre for Gastroenterology, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Science, Barts and The London, Queen Mary School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK.
  BACKGROUND: The herbal preparation, aloe vera, has been claimed to have anti-inflammatory effects and, despite a lack of evidence of its therapeutic efficacy, is widely used by patients with inflammatory bowel disease. AIM: To perform a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of the efficacy and safety of aloe vera gel for the treatment of mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis. METHODS: Forty-four evaluable hospital out-patients were randomly given oral aloe vera gel or placebo, 100 mL twice daily for 4 weeks, in a 2 : 1 ratio. The primary outcome measures were clinical remission (Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index /= 3 points; response was defined as remission or improvement), Baron score, histology score, haemoglobin, platelet count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and albumin. RESULTS: Clinical remission, improvement and response occurred in nine (30%), 11 (37%) and 14 (47%), respectively, of 30 patients given aloe vera, compared with one (7%) [P = 0.09; odds ratio, 5.6 (0.6-49)], one (7%) [P = 0.06; odds ratio, 7.5 (0.9-66)] and two (14%) [P < 0.05; odds ratio, 5.3 (1.0-27)], respectively, of 14 patients taking placebo. The Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index and histological scores decreased significantly during treatment with aloe vera (P = 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively), but not with placebo. Sigmoidoscopic scores and laboratory variables showed no significant differences between aloe vera and placebo. Adverse events were minor and similar in both groups of patients. CONCLUSION: Oral aloe vera taken for 4 weeks produced a clinical response more often than placebo; it also reduced the histological disease activity and appeared to be safe. Further evaluation of the therapeutic potential of aloe vera gel in inflammatory bowel disease is needed.
• J Med Food. 2004 Spring;7(1):61-6.: Hypoglycemic effect of Aloe vera gel on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in experimental rats.
  Rajasekaran S, Sivagnanam K, Ravi K, Subramanian S.
  Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
  In the present study an attempt has been made to evaluate the presence of hypoglycemic activity in the alcoholic extract of Aloe vera gel. Effects of oral administration of A. vera extract at a concentration of 200 and 300 mg/kg of body weight on (a) normal fasted rats, (b) oral glucose-loaded rats, and (c) streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats have been studied. A. vera extract maintain the glucose homeostasis by controlling the carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes.
• J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2004 Nov;15(4):576-88.: Attitudes and beliefs among Mexican Americans about type 2 diabetes.
  Coronado GD, Thompson B, Tejeda S, Godina R.
  Cancer Prevention Program, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.
  Hispanics in the United States have a disproportionately high risk for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes) compared with non-Hispanic whites. Little is known of the attitudes and beliefs about diabetes in this group. Using data from six focus groups of 42 Mexican Americans (14 men and 28 women), we characterized perceptions about the causes of and treatments for type 2 diabetes. Many participants believed diabetes is caused by having a family history of the disease, eating a diet high in fat or sugar, and engaging in minimal exercise. Experiencing strong emotions such as fright (susto), intense anger (coraje), or sadness and depression (tristeza) was also thought to precipitate diabetes. Nearly all participants expressed the belief that it is important to follow doctors' recommendations for diet and exercise, oral medication or insulin; many also cited herbal therapies, such as prickly pear cactus (nopal) and aloe vera (savila) as effective treatments. These findings may be useful in designing interventions to reduce the burden of diabetes in Hispanic populations.
• Biol Pharm Bull. 2004 May;27(5):694-8. : Effect of Aloe vera leaf gel and pulp extracts on the liver in type-II diabetic rat models.
  Can A, Akev N, Ozsoy N, Bolkent S, Arda BP, Yanardag R, Okyar A.
  Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Istanbul University, Turkey.
  The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of Aloe vera leaf pulp and gel extracts on the liver tissue of neonatal streptozotocin (n0STZ)-induced type-II diabetic rats. The diabetic rats were separated into four groups and each group was given the following samples by gavage, daily for 15 d: phosphate buffered saline (PBS; diabetic control), Aloe leaf pulp extract, Aloe leaf gel extract, glibenclamide. Liver tissues were examined histologically. The markers of oxidative stress: glutathione (GSH), non-enzymatic glycosylation (NEG) and lipid peroxidation (LPO), were determined in liver tissue. Biochemical parameters for liver function: serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine transaminase (ALP) activities, were evaluated. All parameters were also determined in healthy (non diabetic) rats for comparison. In the diabetic control group, the degenerative changes in liver tissue were remarkable, while in the diabetic groups given Aloe pulp and gel extracts and glibenclamide, the damage to the liver tissue was decreased. The increase of GSH and the decrease of NEG and LPO in liver tissues with the treatment of Aloe gel extract, is consistent with the beneficial effect of Aloe. Serum ALP and ALT activities were also decreased in the groups given Aloe gel extract. It was concluded that Aloe gel extract has a protective effect comparable to glibenclamide against hepatotoxicity produced by diabetes if used in the treatment of type-II diabetes.
• J Radiat Res (Tokyo). 2004 Sep;45(3):447-54. : Aloe Polysaccharides Mediated Radioprotective Effect through the Inhibition of Apoptosis.
  Wang ZW, Zhou JM, Huang ZS, Yang AP, Liu ZC, Xia YF, Zeng YX, Zhu XF.
  Department of Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine School of Pharmaceutical Science.
  Polysaccharides from aloe are always considered an effective radioprotector on irradiation-induced skin damage. The aim of this study was to determine if aloe polysaccharides (AP) have radioprotective effects on normal human cells in vitro and mouse survival in vivo and to explore the mechanism. Pretreatment with 50 mug/ml AP could improve the surviving fraction at 2 Gy (SF(2)) of three normal cell lines 293, ECV304, and C. liver from 41.5%, 46.5%, and 40.9% to 49.4%, 72.1%, and 89.1%, respectively. AP could also reduce the apoptotic rate of C. liver cells from 9.5% and 43.0% to 2.2% and 10.9% 48 h and 72 h after 2 Gy irradiation, respectively. Western blot analysis showed that pretreatment with AP could block the upregulation of pro-apoptotic p53, Bax, and Bad and the downregulation of Bcl-2 by irradiation. AP could lower thymocyte apoptosis of mice in vivo after 6 Gy irradiation and abrogate the cell cycle perturbation. Fifty mg/kg of AP treatment for 30 min before 7.5 Gy irradiation provided the best radioprotective effect and improved the 30-day survival rate of mice to 86.0%, from 10.0%. AP exerted radioprotective effects in vitro and in vivo through an inhibition of apoptosis
• J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Jul;93(1):33-7. : The effect of Aloe vera A. Berger (Liliaceae) on gastric acid secretion and acute gastric mucosal injury in rats.
  Yusuf S, Agunu A, Diana M.
  Department of Human Physiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
  sadiqyusuf@yahoo.com
  The effect of varying doses of ethanol extract of Aloe vera (Liliaceae) on acute gastric mucosal lesions induced by 0.6 M HCl and acid output was studied in the pylorus ligated and lumen perfuse rats, respectively. Acid secretion was determined by titration of the collected gastric juice to pH 7.0. Intraperitoneal injection of Aloe vera, dose dependently inhibited gastric acid secretion. The plant was more active as a gastroprotective agent at lower concentration against mucosal injury induced by 0.6 M HCl. In conclusion, Aloe vera is endowed with gastric acid anti-secretory activity and could protect the gastric mucosa at low concentrations against injurious agents.
• Curr Med Chem. 2004 Jun;11(11):1423-30. Related Articles, Links Immunomodulatory and antimicrobial effects of some traditional chinese medicinal herbs: a review. Tan BK, Vanitha J. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 18 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597. phctankh@nus.edu.sg The current practice of ingesting phytochemicals to support the immune system or to fight infections is based on centuries-old tradition. We review reports on seven Chinese herbs, (Aloe vera Mill. (Aloaceae), Angelica species (Umbelliferae), Astragalus membranaceus Bunge. (Leguminosae), Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) Karst. (Ganodermataceae), Panax ginseng C.A Mey. (Araliaceae), Scutellaria species (Lamiaceae) and Zingiber officinale Rosc. (Zingiberaceae) with emphasis to their immunomodulatory and antimicrobial activities. While some of these herbaceous plants have a direct inhibitory effect on microbial organisms, we observe that each plant has at least one compound that selectively modulates cells of the immune system. The successful derivation of pure bioactive compounds from Ganoderma lucidum, ginseng and Zingiber officinale supports the traditional practice of using these plants to stimulate the immune system. As many modern drugs are often patterned after phytochemicals, studying the influence of each compound on immune cells as well as microbes can provide useful insights to the development of potentially useful new pharmacological agents.
• J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Sep 8;52(18):5606-11. : Adsorption behavior of heavy metals on biomaterials.
  Minamisawa M, Minamisawa H, Yoshida S, Takai N.
  Tokyo College of Medico-Pharmaco Technology, 6-5-12 Higashikasai, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo 134-8530, Japan.
  minami@mmm.cit.nihon-u.ac.jp
  We have investigated adsorption of Cd(II) and Pb(II) at pH 2-6.7 onto the biomaterials chitosan, coffee, green tea, tea, yuzu, aloe, and Japanese coarse tea, and onto the inorganic adsorbents, activated carbon and zeolite. High adsorptive capabilities were observed for all of the biomaterials at pH 4 and 6.7. In the adsorption of Cd(II), blend coffee, tea, green tea, and coarse tea have comparable loading capacities to activated carbon and zeolite. Although activated carbon, zeolite, and chitosan are utilized in a variety of fields such as wastewater treatment, chemical and metallurgical engineering, and analytical chemistry, these adsorbents are costly. On the other hand, processing of the test biomaterials was inexpensive, and all the biomaterials except for chitosan were able to adsorb large amounts of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions after a convenient pretreatment of washing with water followed by drying. The high adsorption capability of the biomaterials prepared from plant materials is promising in the development of a novel, low-cost adsorbent. From these results, it is concluded that heavy metal removal using biomaterials would be an effective method for the economic treatment of wastewater. The proposed adsorption method was applied to the determination of amounts of Cd(II) and Pb(II) in water samples
• Ceska Slov Farm. 2004 Sep;53(5):248-51.: [Isolation and characterization of active compounds from Aloe vera with a possible role in skin protection]
  [Article in Slovak]
  Kostalova D, Bezakova L, Oblozinsky M, Kardosova A.
  Katedra farmakognozie a botaniky, Farmaceutickej faculty, Univerzity Komenskeho, Bratislava.
  kostalova@fpharm.uniba.sk
  Aloe vera is widely used in food supplements, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. It has been long recognized as an effective natural remedy for its wound-healing properties and its positive influence on other inflammatory skin disorders. Major proteins and mono- and polysaccharides were identified and analysed from Aloe vera commercial extract. Molecular weight of proteins calculated from the sets of molecular weight reference standards, ranged from 70 kDa for the largest to 14 kDa for the smallest ones. IR spectral analysis of the carbohydrate fraction shows that the main carbohydrate copound is acetylated (1 --> 4)-beta-D-mannan substituated with D-galactose and D-glucose. The results have shown that proteins and polysaccharides are a necessary component in the study of biological activity of Aloe vera leaf extract.
• The effect of aloe emodin on the proliferation of a new merkel carcinoma cell line.
  Aloe emodin, a natural constituent of aloe vera leaves, significantly inhibited the growth of MCC cells. Aloe emodin has been reported to be nontoxic for normal cells but to possess specific toxicity for neuroectodermal tumor cells.
• The wound-healing effect of a glycoprotein fraction isolated from aloe vera.
  BACKGROUND: Aloe vera has been used as a family medicine for promoting wound healing, but it is not known which component of the plant is effective for this purpose.
  A glycoprotein fraction was isolated and named G1G1M1DI2. It showed a single band on sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, with an apparent molecular weight of about 5.5 kDa. It exhibited significant [3H]thymidine uptake in squamous cell carcinoma cells.
  The glycoprotein fraction enhanced wound healing in hairless mice by day 8 after injury, with significant cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: It is considered that this glycoprotein fraction is involved in the wound-healing effect of aloe vera via cell proliferation and migration.
• Acemannan purified from Aloe vera induces phenotypic and functional maturation of immature dendritic cells.
  Acemannan, a major carbohydrate fraction of Aloe vera gel, has been known to have antiviral and antitumoral activities in vivo through activation of immune responses. The present study was set out to define the immunomodulatory activity of acemannan on dendritic cells (DCs), which are the most important accessory cells for the initiation of primary immune responses.
  Based on these results, we propose that the adjuvant activity of acemannan is at least in part due to its capacity to promote differentiation of immature DCs.
• Adverse and beneficial effects of plant extracts on skin and skin disorders
  Beneficial aspects of medicinal plants on skin include: healing of wounds and burn injuries (especially Aloe vera); antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial and acaricidal activity against skin infections such as acne, herpes and scabies (especially tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil); activity against inflammatory/immune disorders affecting skin (e.g. psoriasis); and anti-tumour promoting activity against skin cancer (identified using chemically-induced two-stage carcinogenesis in mice).
• Herbal therapy: what every facial plastic surgeon must know.
  All surgeons should question patients about the use of the following common herbal remedies, which may increase the risk of bleeding during surgical procedures: feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, and Asian ginseng. Physicians should exercise caution in prescribing retinoids or advising skin resurfacing in patients using St John's wort, which poses a risk of photosensitivity reaction. Several herbal medicines, such as aloe vera gel, contain pharmacologically active ingredients that may aid in wound healing.
• The effect of aloe vera gel/mild soap versus mild soap alone in preventing skin reactions in patients undergoing radiation therapy.
  Patients randomized into the experimental arm of the trial were instructed to liberally apply aloe vera gel to the area at various intervals throughout the day. FINDINGS: At low cumulative dose levels < or = 2,700 cGy, no difference existed in the effect of adding aloe. When the cumulative dose was high (> 2,700 cGy), the median time was five weeks prior to any skin changes in the aloe/soap arm versus three weeks in the soap only arm. When the cumulative dose increases over time, there seems to be a protective effect of adding aloe to the soap regimen.
• The plant kingdom as a source of anti-ulcer remedies.
  Botanical compounds with anti-ulcer activity include flavonoids (i.e. quercetin, naringin, silymarin, anthocyanosides, sophoradin derivatives) saponins (i.e. from Panax japonicus and Kochia scoparia), tannins (i.e. from Linderae umbellatae), gums and mucilages (i.e. gum guar and myrrh). Among herbal drugs, liquorice, aloe gel and capsicum (chilli) have been used extensively and their clinical efficacy documented.
• Aloe-emodin is a new type of anticancer agent with selective activity against neuroectodermal tumors.
  "Here we report that aloe-emodin (AE), a hydroxyanthraquinone present in Aloe vera leaves, has a specific in vitro and in vivo antineuroectodermal tumor activity. The growth of human neuroectodermal tumors is inhibited in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency without any appreciable toxic effects on the animals. The compound does not inhibit the proliferation of normal fibroblasts nor that of hemopoietic progenitor cells. The cytotoxicity mechanism consists of the induction of apoptosis, whereas the selectivity against neuroectodermal tumor cells is founded on a specific energy-dependent pathway of drug incorporation. Taking into account its unique cytotoxicity profile and mode of action, AE might represent a conceptually new lead antitumor drug."
• nduction of apoptosis in human leukaemic cell lines K562, HL60 and U937 by diethylhexylphthalate isolated from Aloe vera Linne.
  These results indicate that DEHP isolated from Aloe vera Linne has a potent antileukaemic effect, and thus represents a new type of pharmacological activity with respect to human leukaemic cells.
• Therapeutic effects of Aloe vera on cutaneous microcirculation and wound healing in second degree burn model in rats.
  . Besides, the healing area of the Aloe vera-treated wound was better than that of the untreated and NSS[NORMAL SALINE SOLUTION]- treated groups during 7 and 14 days after burn. CONCLUSION: Aloe vera could exhibit the actions of both anti-inflammation and wound healing promotion when applied on a second degree burn wound.