This is another in our continuing series on what actually makes ChopSaver all-natural lip balm so great. Today we feature Aloe Vera and some scientific research on this remarkable plant.
ALOE VERA
Aloe vera is a transparent gel from the pulp of the meaty leaves of the aloe vera plant. It has been used topically for thousands of years to treat wounds, skin infections, burns, and many other skin conditions.
Studies
Anti-tumor activity of Aloe vera against DMBA/croton oil-induced skin papillomagenesis in Swiss albino mice.
J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol. 2010;29(2):127-35
Saini M, Goyal PK, Chaudhary G.
Abstract
Human populations are increasingly exposed to various carcinogens such as chemicals, radiation, and viruses in the environment. Chemopreventive drugs of plant origin are a promising strategy for cancer control because they are generally nontoxic or less toxic than synthetic che-mopreventive agents, and can be effective at different stages of carcinogenesis. The present investigation was undertaken to explore the antitumor activity of topical treatment with aloe vera (Aloe vera) gel, oral treatment with aloe vera extract, and topical and oral treatment with both gel and extract in stage-2 skin carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice induced by 7,12-dim ethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) and promoted croton (Croton tiglium) oil. We conclude that aloe vera protects mice against DMBA/croton oil-induced skin papillomagenesis, likely due to the chemopreventive activity of high concentrations of antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E; glutathione peroxidase; several isozymes of superoxide dismutase; the minerals selenium and zinc; and polysaccharides in aloe vera
Effect of aloe cream versus silver sulfadiazine for healing burn wounds in rats.
Acta Dermatovenerol Croat.2010;18(1):2-7.
Hosseinimehr SJ, Khorasani G, Azadbakht M, Zamani P, Ghasemi M, Ahmadi A.
Abstract
The management of burn injury remains a problem and it is the major cause of death and disability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Aloe vera cream in the treatment of thermal burn wounds and to compare these results with silver sulfadiazine in rats. The wound size was significantly smaller in aloe group as compared with other groups. Histologic comparison showed aloe to increase reepithelialization in burn wounds significantly as compared with other cream-treated wounds. The results of this study showed aloe cream to significantly increase reepithelialization in burn wounds as compared with silver sulfadiazine.
Aloe versus silver sulfadiazine creams for second-degree burns: a randomized controlled study.
Surg Today.2009;39(7):587-91.Epub 2009 Jun 28.
Khorasani G, Hosseinimehr SJ, Azadbakht M, Zamani A, Mahdavi MR.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Burn injury is associated with a high incidence of death and disability; yet its management remains problematic and costly. We conducted this clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of aloe vera cream for partial thickness burn wounds and compare its results with those of silver sulfadiazine (SSD).
METHODS: Thirty patients with similar types of second-degree burns at two sites on different parts of the body were included in this study. Each patient had one burn treated with topical SSD and one treated with aloe cream, randomly.RESULTS: The rate of re-epithelialization and healing of the partial thickness burns was significantly faster in the site treated with aloe than in the site treated with SSD (15.9 +/- 2 vs 18.73 +/- 2.65 days, respectively; P < 0.0001). The sites treated with aloe were completely healed in less than 16 days vs 19 days for the sites treated with SSD.
CONCLUSION: These results clearly demonstrated the greater efficacy of aloe cream over SSD cream for treating second-degree burns.