Aloe Vera Research

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Studies Show Aloe Vera Reduces Body Inflammation & Helps Heal Psoriasis!

Research Reveals Aloe Vera's Effect On Inflammation

By Dr. Ian Tizard Texas A&M University Consultant for Carrington Laboratories It has been recognized for many years that some aloe-derived products have significant anti-inflammatory activity. Published evidence has shown that this is mediated, at least in part, by inhibition of prostanoid production in damaged tissue. Studies conducted at Texas A&M University and Texas Children's Hospital by Drs. Bob Bowden and Wayne Smith have now demonstrated that aloe extracts mediate a second anti-inflammatory mechanism by blocking certain integrins.

Integrins are proteins that mediate cell adherence. Thus in inflamed tissues, defensive cells such as blood neutrophils must first bind to endothelial cells on blood vessel walls before entering the tissues. This binding is integrin-mediated. Neutrophils, although critical for host defense, are unfortunately able to cause significant tissue damage as a result of the release of potent enzymes and oxygen metabolites. Thus compounds that block neutrophil emigration will prevent tissue damage and so reduce inflammation.

Evidence has been presented to show that certain aloe-derived carbohydrates bind specifically to carbohydrate-binding sites on two ß2-integrins called LFA-01 and Mac-1. In doing this, they significantly reduce neutrophil emigration in some models of experimental inflammation.

This abstract is from Dr. TizardÕs presentation "Aloe-derived carbohydrates reduce inflammation by blocking neutrophil emigration mediated by certain beta2 integrins". If you would like more information on this topic, please contact the IASC.

Syed TA, Ahmad SA, Holt AH, Ahmad SA, Ahmad SH, Afzal M.

Department of Clinical Physiology, Malmö University Hospital, Sweden.

The purpose of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of topical Aloe vera extract 0.5% in a hydrophilic cream to cure patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Sixty patients (36M/24F) aged 18-50 years (mean 25.6) with slight to moderate chronic plaque-type psoriasis and PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) scores between 4.8 and 16.7 (mean 9.3) were enrolled and randomized to two parallel groups. The mean duration of the disease prior to enrollment was 8.5 years (range 1-21). Patients were provided with a precoded 100g tube, placebo or active (with 0.5% Aloe vera extract), and they self-administered trial medication topically (without occlusion) at home 3 times daily for 5 consecutive days per week (maximum 4 weeks active treatment). Patients were examined on a weekly basis and those showing a progressive reduction of lesions, desquamation followed by decreased erythema, infiltration and lowered PASI score were considered healed. The study was scheduled for 16 weeks with 12 months of follow-up on a monthly basis. The treatment was well tolerated by all the patients, with no adverse drug-related symptoms and no dropouts. By the end of the study, the Aloe vera extract cream had cured 25/30 patients (83.3%) compared to the placebo cure rate of 2/30 (6.6%) (P < 0.001) resulting in significant clearing of the psoriatic plaques (328/396 (82.8%) vs placebo 28/366 (7.7%), P < 0.001) and a decreased PASI score to a mean of 2.2. The findings of this study suggest that topically applied Aloe vera extract 0.5% in a hydrophilic cream is more effective than placebo, and has not shown toxic or any other objective side-effects. Therefore, the regimen can be considered a safe and alternative treatment to cure patients suffering from psoriasis.