Medical Attributes of Aloe vera - The Aloe Plant
by Chris Haydu, Natalie Karpinich, and Tina Sidonio
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA
July, 1997
Aloe vera, commonly referred to as aloe, is a member of the Liliaceae (Lily family). Aloe vera evolved in Africa. However, it is now cultivated in many parts of the world including the southern United States (Anon., 1997a). A. vera contains four active ingredients used to treat various ailments. B-sitosterol, a sterol found in the skin or sap portion of the leaf is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent (Waller, 1978). The second active ingredient consists of mucopolysaccharides (MPS) which are long chain Sugar molecules effective in the treatment of inflammation, AIDS, and cancer (Danhof, 1997). The emodin and lectins are anti-tumor agents effective in their ability to control cancer (Anon., 1997c).

The anti-inflammatory quality of B-sitosterol found in A. vera has been tested extensively. In an ear swelling assay, A. vera extracts decreased inflammation by 29.2% when applied topically (Davis et al., 1991). In another study, A. vera appeared beneficial in an acute inflammatory model involving rats, but demonstrated no significant effect on chronic inflammation (Udupa et al., 1994). Mucopolysaccharides of 50 to 600 molecules also reduce inflammation particularly in diseases like ulcerative colitis, arthritis, and gastric reflux (Danhof, 1997).

A. vera contains very large mucopolysaccharides of up to 9,000 molecules that can treat AIDS (Danhof, 1997). In a clinical trial conducted in the 1980's, patients who took oral mucopolysaccharides showed a 70% improvement in symptoms within three to four months (Clumick et al., 1997). The CD4 helper lymphocytes rose, and HIV virus was unable to be cultured. The P-24 antigen levels of the HIV virus dropped during the course of this research (Clumick et al., 1997). When 20 ounces of Aloe vera juice was orally administered to 69 AIDS patients per day, eighty-one percent of these patients showed eventual disappearance of their symptoms (Pulse, 1988).

Aloe vera produces mucopolysaccharides, emodin, and lectins that aid in fighting cancer. Aloe mucopolysaccharides are phagocytized by macrophages that release cytokines (Kemp and Tizard 1997). This immune effect contributes to the prevention and healing of malignant neoplasms (Kemp et al, 1997). Emodin and lectins are anti-tumor agents that control cancer (Anon, 1997a). The anti-cancer effect of aloe on sarcoma 180 in the ICR mouse did not suppress tumor growth, however, it did promote an increased lifespan between 19% to 32% when it was administered in dosages between 10 to 100 mg/kg/day respectively (Jeong et al., 1994). The lectin-like substances in Aloe vera promoted the attachment of normal human cells instead of tumor cells (Winters et al., 1981).

Another healing property of A. vera is its use in the treatment of burns. Heggars (1980) noted that A. vera healed third degree burns up to six times faster than traditional medical treatments and that these effects were due to steroidal like compounds and salicylic acid. Another study comparing the healing effects of Aloe vera gel to commercial products found that in all trials the aloe gel was more effective in the treatment of burns as noticed by the better histological appearance and reduced bacterial contamination (Sumano-Lopez et al., 1989). In another study, burns covering the body surface in canines were examined. It was found that when an Aloe vera cream was used, it not only reversed the damage caused by the burns due to prostaglandins, but also wiped out a bacterial infection in animals with over a 35% burn (Cera et al., 1980). Various data from this study affirm the bactericidal and antiprostaglandin effect of Aloe vera cream in the canine species (Cera et al., 1980).

The reputation of Aloe vera as a healer for various ailments is well known. Dioscorides, Pliny, and Galen have all detailed the successful uses of aloe. As the centuries passed, A. vera has been used as a therapy for many more ailments. Even though few negative side effects regarding the use of A. vera were reported in the literature, caution and discretion should be employed before venturing into the local nutrition store and attempting to heal oneself. Companies continue to promote falsehoods about A. vera and the consumers must take appropriate measures to ensure that they do not succumb to the advertising scams. First, A. vera has not been proven to cure anything (Anon., 1997b). Therefore, if the product promises a cure, more than likely it's a scam. Also, just as many people are allergic to various foods, it is possible that one could be allergic to A. vera (Anon, 1997b). Development of hypersensitivity to aloe has been documented, as for example, after four years of using oral and topical aloe, a 47 year old man acquired hives and papular dermatitis (Morrow et al., 1980). It would be wise to consult your physician before beginning an aloe regimen, and even a possible skin patch test before drinking the extract. Since the aloe industry is virtually unregulated, the consumer must be alert of the benefits and possible side effects when using aloe.

LITERATURE CITED

Anon. 1997a. About Aloe vera.(obtained from defunct webpage)

Anon. 1997b. Aloe vera-What to Believe. (obtained from defunct webpage)

Anon. 1997c. Why Aloe Works. (obtained from defunct webpage)

Cera, L.M., J.P. Heggars, M.C. Robson and W.J. Hagstrom. 1980. The therapeutic efficacy of Aloe vera cream in thermal injuries: 2 cases. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 16: 768-772.

Clumeck, R.M., T. Pulse, and T. Watson. 1997. Aloe vera and AIDS research. http://www.santrel.com/clinicalabstract/immuno4.html

Curtailing HIV Infection:

An extract of mannose, one of the sugars in aloe, can inhibit HIV-1 (the virus associated with AIDS). In a 1991 study in Molecular Biotherapy, HIV-1 cells were treated in vitro (outside the body) with a mannose extract. Aloe slowed virus reproduction by as much as 30%, reduced viral load (total amount of the virus), suppressed the spread of the virus from infected cells, and increased the viability (chance of survival) of infected cells
Nutritional Support for HIV Patients:

Aloe Vera juice proved to be an effective part of a nutritional support program for HIV+ patients according to the Journal of Advancement in

Medicine. For four months, 29 patients were given 100% pure aloe Vera juice (five ounces, four times daily) along with an essential fatty acid supplement and another supplement containing vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Patients were told to continue with their normal diet and not to take other supplements.

After 90 days, all of the patients had fewer occurrences of opportunistic infections, thrush, fatigue, and diarrhea, as well as increased white blood cell counts (meaning their immune systems were responding positively). Their assessment of overall quality of health also improved. In 25% of the patients, aloe apparently knocked out the virus's ability to reproduce. Researchers found that aloe (the mannose extract and perhaps other compounds) stimulates the body's immune system, particularly T4 helper cells, white blood cells that activate the immune response to infection.


©†ƒ……•™¼‡_Original_Message_¾€š½ž¢«»¬ï°©

Medical Attributes of Aloe vera - The Aloe Plant
by Chris Haydu, Natalie Karpinich, and Tina Sidonio
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA
July, 1997
Aloe vera, commonly referred to as aloe, is a member of the Liliaceae (Lily family). Aloe vera evolved in Africa. However, it is now cultivated in many parts of the world including the southern United States (Anon., 1997a). A. vera contains four active ingredients used to treat various ailments. B-sitosterol, a sterol found in the skin or sap portion of the leaf is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent (Waller, 1978). The second active ingredient consists of mucopolysaccharides (MPS) which are long chain Sugar molecules effective in the treatment of inflammation, AIDS, and cancer (Danhof, 1997). The emodin and lectins are anti-tumor agents effective in their ability to control cancer (Anon., 1997c).

The anti-inflammatory quality of B-sitosterol found in A. vera has been tested extensively. In an ear swelling assay, A. vera extracts decreased inflammation by 29.2% when applied topically (Davis et al., 1991). In another study, A. vera appeared beneficial in an acute inflammatory model involving rats, but demonstrated no significant effect on chronic inflammation (Udupa et al., 1994). Mucopolysaccharides of 50 to 600 molecules also reduce inflammation particularly in diseases like ulcerative colitis, arthritis, and gastric reflux (Danhof, 1997).

A. vera contains very large mucopolysaccharides of up to 9,000 molecules that can treat AIDS (Danhof, 1997). In a clinical trial conducted in the 1980's, patients who took oral mucopolysaccharides showed a 70% improvement in symptoms within three to four months (Clumick et al., 1997). The CD4 helper lymphocytes rose, and HIV virus was unable to be cultured. The P-24 antigen levels of the HIV virus dropped during the course of this research (Clumick et al., 1997). When 20 ounces of Aloe vera juice was orally administered to 69 AIDS patients per day, eighty-one percent of these patients showed eventual disappearance of their symptoms (Pulse, 1988).

Aloe vera produces mucopolysaccharides, emodin, and lectins that aid in fighting cancer. Aloe mucopolysaccharides are phagocytized by macrophages that release cytokines (Kemp and Tizard 1997). This immune effect contributes to the prevention and healing of malignant neoplasms (Kemp et al, 1997). Emodin and lectins are anti-tumor agents that control cancer (Anon, 1997a). The anti-cancer effect of aloe on sarcoma 180 in the ICR mouse did not suppress tumor growth, however, it did promote an increased lifespan between 19% to 32% when it was administered in dosages between 10 to 100 mg/kg/day respectively (Jeong et al., 1994). The lectin-like substances in Aloe vera promoted the attachment of normal human cells instead of tumor cells (Winters et al., 1981).

Another healing property of A. vera is its use in the treatment of burns. Heggars (1980) noted that A. vera healed third degree burns up to six times faster than traditional medical treatments and that these effects were due to steroidal like compounds and salicylic acid. Another study comparing the healing effects of Aloe vera gel to commercial products found that in all trials the aloe gel was more effective in the treatment of burns as noticed by the better histological appearance and reduced bacterial contamination (Sumano-Lopez et al., 1989). In another study, burns covering the body surface in canines were examined. It was found that when an Aloe vera cream was used, it not only reversed the damage caused by the burns due to prostaglandins, but also wiped out a bacterial infection in animals with over a 35% burn (Cera et al., 1980). Various data from this study affirm the bactericidal and antiprostaglandin effect of Aloe vera cream in the canine species (Cera et al., 1980).

The reputation of Aloe vera as a healer for various ailments is well known. Dioscorides, Pliny, and Galen have all detailed the successful uses of aloe. As the centuries passed, A. vera has been used as a therapy for many more ailments. Even though few negative side effects regarding the use of A. vera were reported in the literature, caution and discretion should be employed before venturing into the local nutrition store and attempting to heal oneself. Companies continue to promote falsehoods about A. vera and the consumers must take appropriate measures to ensure that they do not succumb to the advertising scams. First, A. vera has not been proven to cure anything (Anon., 1997b). Therefore, if the product promises a cure, more than likely it's a scam. Also, just as many people are allergic to various foods, it is possible that one could be allergic to A. vera (Anon, 1997b). Development of hypersensitivity to aloe has been documented, as for example, after four years of using oral and topical aloe, a 47 year old man acquired hives and papular dermatitis (Morrow et al., 1980). It would be wise to consult your physician before beginning an aloe regimen, and even a possible skin patch test before drinking the extract. Since the aloe industry is virtually unregulated, the consumer must be alert of the benefits and possible side effects when using aloe.

LITERATURE CITED

Anon. 1997a. About Aloe vera.(obtained from defunct webpage)

Anon. 1997b. Aloe vera-What to Believe. (obtained from defunct webpage)

Anon. 1997c. Why Aloe Works. (obtained from defunct webpage)

Cera, L.M., J.P. Heggars, M.C. Robson and W.J. Hagstrom. 1980. The therapeutic efficacy of Aloe vera cream in thermal injuries: 2 cases. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 16: 768-772.

Clumeck, R.M., T. Pulse, and T. Watson. 1997. Aloe vera and AIDS research. http://www.santrel.com/clinicalabstract/immuno4.html

http://wilkes1.wilkes.edu/~kklemow/Aloe.html

http://www.flp-aloevera.co.uk/Aloe%20_Vera%20_Study%20_1.html

AIDS
A New Frontier In Research
By TRIPUTIC
HEALTH CONSCIOUSNESS

"Aloe is to an AIDS patient such as insulin is to a diabetic." Terry Pulse, M.D.

INTRODUCTION

Our present emerging state of holistic health consciousness is due, in part, to people who are willing to look beyond traditional thinking in health care.

An open mind among health professionals is only one stage in the holistic health movement. The education of the patient is also paramount in the new health-consciousness. This is the day of individuals being responsible for themselves and their health expression.

Information is the key to knowledge. Only you can determine; Is Aloe vera (and its properties) mythical, magical, or medicinal?

AIDS - A NEW FRONTIER IN RESEARCH

Since 1987, it has apparently been relatively common knowledge among AIDS victims in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that Aloe juice or a drug (POLYSACCHARIDE or ACEMANNAN), derived from it, will provide relief from the symptoms of the disease and will keep those who have the virus but who do not have any of the symptoms of AIDS from developing the disease.

Even though the evidence available is preliminary, we feel that because the work was done at the Dallas-Fort Worth Medical Center, Grand Prairie, Texas, and because of the status of the physicians involved, the work is important. We believe we would be remiss in not reporting the results achieved thus far.

It is very important to understand that this research does not show that Aloe vera is a cure for AIDS, but it does indicate that in all cases examined, excellent results were achieved, and that in a majority of test cases, Aloe vera stopped the progress of the disease. In other words, Aloe is not a cure for AIDS, but is a highly effective treatment.

This premise was first put forward in an article titled "Aloe Drug May Mimic AZT Without Toxicity" in Medical World News, December, 1987. The article reported on the research work of Dr. H. Reginald McDaniel. According to Dr. McDaniel, "A substance in the Aloe plant (acemannan) shows preliminary signs of boosting AIDS patients' immune systems and blocking the human immune-deficiency virus' spread, without toxic side effects."

The results of Dr. McDaniel's pilot study showed that the symptoms of sixteen AIDS patients were significantly reduced when given 1,000 mg. a day of the drug for three months. After three months, six patients with advanced cases of AIDS showed a 20% improvement in symptoms, while less seriously ill patients improved by an average of 71%. Dr. McDaniel has also reported his research findings at the combined meeting of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and College of American Pathologists. He says,
"Fever and symptoms of night sweats, diarrhea, and opportunistic infections were either eliminated or significantly improved in all patients, with corresponding drops in HIV antibody positive cell cultures and HIV core antigen levels."

Red cell mass increased in all but one patient and twelve initially leukopenic patients had a slight rise in white count after treatment.

No toxic effects have been noted in a total of twenty-nine patients who have now received the experimental drug. There is also evidence that good quality Aloe vera juice can relieve the symptoms of AIDS. This is not surprising, since the drug (POLYSACCHARIDE or ACEMANNAN) is produced by the plant and would be present in the juice.

An article by Irwin frank in the July 12, 1988 edition of The Dallas Times Herald, quotes Dr. Terry Pulse as saying that twenty ounces of Aloe vera juice, with the drug stabilized in the Aloe, was administered orally to sixty-nine AIDS patients. (Apparently, the doctor means stabilized Aloe vera juice.)

According to the article, Pulse says the patients treated with the drug were classified as those who would "never improve or get better," but following treatment, were able to "return to normal work." The article quotes Dr. Pulse as saying that these patients, "...go back to their standard energy level, their symptoms disappear almost completely - and that's in 81% of the patients that I put on this drug." He adds that those patients with the AIDS virus who showed no symptoms of the disease remained free of symptoms while taking the drug, which is derived from the Aloe vera plant.

"The sooner you can get patients on this drug, the better off they are," says Pulse. He said his patients take twenty ounces of the liquid a day "and I keep them on it indefinitely. I've had some of them on it for over two years."

"We have had deaths," he says, "but in those patients (who died), most can be attributed to having gone and gotten chemotherapy for skin cancers or whatever, or have taken other drugs in combination that knocked out the immune system, such as AZT."

When asked what his study and treatment meant as far as an AIDS treatment or cure is concerned, Pulse replied, "It means that until there is a magic bullet, this is a stopgap measure, and it buys them (the AIDS patients) time at a fraction of the cost" of AZT.

After reading this article, we obtained copies of the actual research data published by Dr. Pulse, together with his colleagues, H. R. McDaniel and T. Reg Watson, all of the Dallas-Fort Worth Medical Center. This information was evaluated to eliminate the confusing aspects concerning exactly what was used in the study, whether the product was Aloe vera juice or the drug, or both, and in what percentages.

From this data and further investigation, it appears that Aloe vera juice in its natural state is just as effective as a treatment for AIDS as the freeze-dried drug derived from it. It is obvious that any AIDS patient who believes that Aloe vera might help his condition should be very careful to buy only real, 100% Aloe Vera Juice which, as we have noted repeatedly elsewhere, neither looks nor tastes like water. Real Aloe, we repeat, has a rather tart taste.


©†ƒ……•™¼‡_Original_Message_¾€š½ž¢«»¬ï°©

AIDS
A New Frontier In Research
By TRIPUTIC
HEALTH CONSCIOUSNESS

"Aloe is to an AIDS patient such as insulin is to a diabetic." Terry Pulse, M.D.

INTRODUCTION

Our present emerging state of holistic health consciousness is due, in part, to people who are willing to look beyond traditional thinking in health care.

An open mind among health professionals is only one stage in the holistic health movement. The education of the patient is also paramount in the new health-consciousness. This is the day of individuals being responsible for themselves and their health expression.

Information is the key to knowledge. Only you can determine; Is Aloe vera (and its properties) mythical, magical, or medicinal?

AIDS - A NEW FRONTIER IN RESEARCH

Since 1987, it has apparently been relatively common knowledge among AIDS victims in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that Aloe juice or a drug (POLYSACCHARIDE or ACEMANNAN), derived from it, will provide relief from the symptoms of the disease and will keep those who have the virus but who do not have any of the symptoms of AIDS from developing the disease.

Even though the evidence available is preliminary, we feel that because the work was done at the Dallas-Fort Worth Medical Center, Grand Prairie, Texas, and because of the status of the physicians involved, the work is important. We believe we would be remiss in not reporting the results achieved thus far.

It is very important to understand that this research does not show that Aloe vera is a cure for AIDS, but it does indicate that in all cases examined, excellent results were achieved, and that in a majority of test cases, Aloe vera stopped the progress of the disease. In other words, Aloe is not a cure for AIDS, but is a highly effective treatment.

This premise was first put forward in an article titled "Aloe Drug May Mimic AZT Without Toxicity" in Medical World News, December, 1987. The article reported on the research work of Dr. H. Reginald McDaniel. According to Dr. McDaniel, "A substance in the Aloe plant (acemannan) shows preliminary signs of boosting AIDS patients' immune systems and blocking the human immune-deficiency virus' spread, without toxic side effects."

The results of Dr. McDaniel's pilot study showed that the symptoms of sixteen AIDS patients were significantly reduced when given 1,000 mg. a day of the drug for three months. After three months, six patients with advanced cases of AIDS showed a 20% improvement in symptoms, while less seriously ill patients improved by an average of 71%. Dr. McDaniel has also reported his research findings at the combined meeting of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and College of American Pathologists. He says,
"Fever and symptoms of night sweats, diarrhea, and opportunistic infections were either eliminated or significantly improved in all patients, with corresponding drops in HIV antibody positive cell cultures and HIV core antigen levels."

Red cell mass increased in all but one patient and twelve initially leukopenic patients had a slight rise in white count after treatment.

No toxic effects have been noted in a total of twenty-nine patients who have now received the experimental drug. There is also evidence that good quality Aloe vera juice can relieve the symptoms of AIDS. This is not surprising, since the drug (POLYSACCHARIDE or ACEMANNAN) is produced by the plant and would be present in the juice.

An article by Irwin frank in the July 12, 1988 edition of The Dallas Times Herald, quotes Dr. Terry Pulse as saying that twenty ounces of Aloe vera juice, with the drug stabilized in the Aloe, was administered orally to sixty-nine AIDS patients. (Apparently, the doctor means stabilized Aloe vera juice.)

According to the article, Pulse says the patients treated with the drug were classified as those who would "never improve or get better," but following treatment, were able to "return to normal work." The article quotes Dr. Pulse as saying that these patients, "...go back to their standard energy level, their symptoms disappear almost completely - and that's in 81% of the patients that I put on this drug." He adds that those patients with the AIDS virus who showed no symptoms of the disease remained free of symptoms while taking the drug, which is derived from the Aloe vera plant.

"The sooner you can get patients on this drug, the better off they are," says Pulse. He said his patients take twenty ounces of the liquid a day "and I keep them on it indefinitely. I've had some of them on it for over two years."

"We have had deaths," he says, "but in those patients (who died), most can be attributed to having gone and gotten chemotherapy for skin cancers or whatever, or have taken other drugs in combination that knocked out the immune system, such as AZT."

When asked what his study and treatment meant as far as an AIDS treatment or cure is concerned, Pulse replied, "It means that until there is a magic bullet, this is a stopgap measure, and it buys them (the AIDS patients) time at a fraction of the cost" of AZT.

After reading this article, we obtained copies of the actual research data published by Dr. Pulse, together with his colleagues, H. R. McDaniel and T. Reg Watson, all of the Dallas-Fort Worth Medical Center. This information was evaluated to eliminate the confusing aspects concerning exactly what was used in the study, whether the product was Aloe vera juice or the drug, or both, and in what percentages.

From this data and further investigation, it appears that Aloe vera juice in its natural state is just as effective as a treatment for AIDS as the freeze-dried drug derived from it. It is obvious that any AIDS patient who believes that Aloe vera might help his condition should be very careful to buy only real, 100% Aloe Vera Juice which, as we have noted repeatedly elsewhere, neither looks nor tastes like water. Real Aloe, we repeat, has a rather tart taste.

http://www.aloe-info.nl/aids.htm