ALOE VERA JUICE POWDER:
Antidiabetic effects of dietary administration of Aloe arborescens Miller components on multiple low-dose streptozotocin-induced diabetes in mice: investigation on hypoglycemic action and systemic absorption dynamics of aloe components
1: J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Feb 20;103(3):468-77. Epub 2006 Jan 6.
Antidiabetic effects of dietary administration of Aloe arborescens Miller components on multiple low-dose streptozotocin-induced diabetes in mice: investigation on hypoglycemic action and systemic absorption dynamics of aloe components.
Fujita Memorial Nanakuri Institute, Fujita Health University, 1865 Isshiki-cho, Hisai, Mie 514-1296, Japan. hbeppu@fujita-hu.ac.jp
We carried out three experimental trials to determine antidiabetic effects of Aloe arborescens Miller components. Firstly, ICR mice which received frequent injections of streptozotocin (Sz) in small doses (low-dose Sz-induced diabetes mice) were fed ad libitum with basal diets supplemented with components of Aloe arborescens Miller var. natalensis Berger (Kidachi aloe) and Aloe vera Linne from 31 days before to 73 days after the Sz injections. Variation in blood glucose levels, incidence rates of insulitis and blood insulin levels were examined during the trial. As a result, groups receiving diets supplemented at the rate of 2% with whole leaf of Kidachi aloe and 10 KDa fraction powder (a fraction with less than 10 KDa molecular weight derived from Kidachi aloe leaf skin juice by ultra filtration) significantly suppressed the elevation of blood sugar as compared to a control group receiving basal diet. In contrast, there was no significant effect with Aloe vera leaf pulp powder. Insulitis emerged at the rate of 87% in the basal diet group. On the contrary, the whole aloe leaf and 10 KDa fraction groups significantly decreased the incidence of insulitis and incidence rates of whole aloe leaf and 10 KDa fraction powder were 51 and 38%, respectively. While insulin levels in the basal diet group averaged at 0.05 ng, more than four times the insulin level was observed in the 10 KDa group relative to the basal diet group. Secondary, the inhibitory effects of test materials on intestinal glucose absorption were observed using the jejunum of rats. A strong inhibitory action on intestinal glucose absorption was observed in the 10 KDa fraction powder group. Thirdly, phenol compounds derived from aloe in the blood serum and organs were quantitatively measured by a HPLC following forced administration of aloe components to rats to determine absorption kinetics of aloe components inside the body. The primary component of aloe phenol compounds is the same component of the 10 KDa fraction powder and it was found in the pancreas and liver in addition to in the blood serum. The above results indicate that fore and aft when Sz injections could cause selective toxicity to B cells of islets, the dietary administration of 10 KDa fraction powder to mice would lead to the persistence of aloe phenol compound having an antioxidant activity in the pancreas and blood, which could protect islets of Langerhans from the destruction caused by methyl radical derived from Sz. The results also suggested the possibility of the 10 KDa fraction powder to alleviate the burden of insulin secretion as it has an inhibitory action on glucose absorption in the jejunum of rats.
PMID: 16406411 [PubMed - in process]
Ten studies were located. They suggest that oral administration of aloe vera might be a useful adjunct for lowering blood glucose in diabetic patients as well as for reducing blood lipid levels in patients with hyperlipidaemia.
Aloe vera: a systematic review of its clinical effectiveness.
Vogler BK, Ernst E.
Department of Complementary Medicine, School of Postgraduate Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Exeter.
BACKGROUND: The use of aloe vera is being promoted for a large variety of conditions. Often general practitioners seem to know less than their patients about its alleged benefits.
AIM: To define the clinical effectiveness of aloe vera, a popular herbal remedy in the United Kingdom.
METHOD: Four independent literature searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Biosis, and the Cochrane Library. Only controlled clinical trials (on any indication) were included. There were no restrictions on the language of publication. All trials were read by both authors and data were extracted in a standardized, pre-defined manner.
RESULTS: Ten studies were located. They suggest that oral administration of aloe vera might be a useful adjunct for lowering blood glucose in diabetic patients as well as for reducing blood lipid levels in patients with hyperlipidaemia. Topical application of aloe vera is not an effective preventative for radiation-induced injuries. It might be effective for genital herpes and psoriasis. Whether it promotes wound healing is unclear. There are major caveats associated with all of these statements.
- CONCLUSION: Even though there are some promising results, clinical effectiveness of oral or topical aloe vera is not sufficiently defined at present.
PMID: 10885091 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
The lipid lowering activity of chitosan associated with Aloe vera
Abstract The lipid lowering activity of chitosan associated with Aloe vera L. or hydrosoluble chitosan with Brassica olearaceae L. has been studied in rats. In this study, rats were submitted to different treatments with hydrosoluble chitosan alone (4% diet), hydrosoluble chitosan associated with Aloe vera L. or hydrosoluble chitosan with Brassica olearaceae L. (1:4, 4% diet) for 35 days, to identify the formula with the highest hypolipaemic potential. The results showed that all treatments reduced blood lipid levels but that hydrosoluble chitosan associated with Brassica olearaceae L. proved most efficient, because it decreased the levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in blood serum. The overall results suggest that the hydrosoluble chitosan/Brassica olearaceae L. association is a therapeutic alternative for hyperlipidaemia, and in this way may contribute to the prevention of atherogenic processes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aloe vera appears to increase absorption of vitamins E and C
Posted on: 11/08/2005
Aloe Vera Increases Absorption of Vitamins E, C
SCRANTON, Pa.--Aloe vera appears to increase absorption of vitamins E and C by slowing the nutrients' assimilation and prolonging concentrations in blood plasma, according to a study published in Phytomedicine (12, 10:760-5, 2005).
Researchers assessed the plasma bioavailability of the vitamins in normal fasting subjects, with eight subjects for vitamin C and 10 subjects for vitamin E. In a random crossover design, the subjects consumed either 500 mg of vitamin C as ascorbic acid or 420 mg of vitamin E acetate alone (control), or a combination of the vitamins with 2 oz of two different aloe preparations (a whole leaf extract, or an inner fillet gel). Blood was collected periodically up to 24 hours after consumption. Plasma was analyzed for ascorbate and tocopherol by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet radiation detection.
Researchers found only aloe vera gel caused a significant increase in plasma ascorbate after eight and 24 hours. Compared to controls, only the aloes produced a significant increase in plasma tocopherol after six and eight hours. Both aloes were significantly different from the control after eight hours, and the aloe vera gel was significantly different from the baseline after 24 hours. The aloe vera gel and aloe leaf preparation slowed down absorption of the vitamins equally, with maximum concentrations two to four hours later than the control.
The study results indicate aloe gel and extract improve the absorption of both vitamins C and E by slowing vitamin absorption and prolonging plasma concentrations of the vitamins. According to the study authors, aloe vera is the only known supplement to increase the absorption of vitamins C and E, and should be considered a complement to them
