Research Summary
The Aloe Vera plant has been known and utilized for centuries for its wellbeing, magnificence, therapeutic, and skin care properties. There are over 300 species of aloe, which primarily develop in the dry regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, and America. Aloe Vera is a natural product that is now commonly used in the field of cosmetology. Although there are various indications for its use, controlled trials are required to determine its genuine efficacy.
This article briefly reviews the Aloe Vera plant, its properties, mechanism of action, and clinical applications. The Aloe plant is utilized as a dietary supplement in an array of foods and as an ingredient in cosmetic products. However, the extensive human exposure and its potential toxic and carcinogenic activities raise safety concerns. Chemical analysis reveals that the Aloe plant contains various polysaccharides and phenolic compounds, notably anthraquinones.
Ingestion of Aloe preparations is associated with adverse effects such as diarrhea, hypokalemia, pseudomelanosis coli, and kidney failure. Aloe Vera can be used for various conditions, including mild to moderate burns, erythema, genital herpes, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis vulgaris, skin moisturizing, type 2 diabetes, oral lichen planus lesions, angina pectoris, ulcerative colitis, UV-induced erythema, kidney stones, and alveolar osteitis.
In general, topical application of Aloe Vera preparations has been regarded as safe, as evaluated by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. However, several case reports have documented the development of hypersensitivity reactions and contact dermatitis in response to topically applied aloe gel preparations.
Keywords: Aloe Vera, health, ethno-botany, commercial uses, bioactive chemicals.
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