Aloe Vera: Nature’s Versatile Herb!

Presented by Walt C Jones

Chairman International Aloe Science Council

INTERNATIONAL ALOE SCIENCE COUNCIL

Dedicated to Increase Awareness and the Quality of Aloe Vera Through Education, Research, Certification of Raw

Materials, and Certification of Finished GoodsFounded in 1981

Aloe Vera Popularity

• Aloe vera has the highest positive consumer recognition – “with Aloe”

• Aloe vera raw material market estimate at $125 million

• Products being sold “with aloe” is estimated at $110 billion

• Over 10,000 new products are introduced each year that contains aloe vera as an ingredient

• Ask a room full of Herbalist the ONE herb they would want on deserted island….ALOE!

Scientific Analysis• Primary Constituents of Processed Aloe

• Malic acid – Magnesium – Calcium – Solids – pH (Quantitative)

• Aloe polysaccharides (Qualitative)

• Analytical fingerprint

• HPLC –TLC - NMR – SEC – Combination – Other (not established)

• Quantitative analytical methods for compounds most correlated with biological activity

• Aloe Polysaccharides (NMR – SEC – Combination – Other)

• Standards of purity

• Total ash – Acid-insoluble ash – LOD – Limits on contaminants (not established)

– Note: There is a substantial body of work published on potential qualitative markers that has not been evaluated.

Aloe Vera Challenges

• Review and revision of existing monographs for “the drug aloe” are needed

• Specifications and analytical methods for qualitative and quantitative markers as well as potentially bioactive constituents such as aloe polysaccharides need to be established

• Monograph(s) for the medicinal herb aloe are required to differentiate medicinal (or dietary supplement) aloe from “the drug aloe”

• Aloe used in studies must be characterized by established specifications

• The IASC is spearheading these initiatives in collaboration with ABC, AHPA, USP and other herbal organizations world wide

Aloe Vera Acceptance

• When the Aloe industry begins to routinely use government-recognized validated assays to ensure the efficacy of commercial products, consumers will consistently experience the astonishing benefits of fresh Aloe.

History of Aloe Vera

• Egyptian – Papyrus ebers about 1550BC• Greek – Hippocrates 460BC – 375BC)• Greek – Celsus (25BC – 50 AD)• Greek – Dioscorides (41AD – 68AD)

Aloe Mechanism

First Mechanism of Action of Acemannan– “Food” for the immune system

Second Mechanism of Action of Acemannan– Supplies mannose for glycoproteins

IASC Commissioned Study

• Intake of vitamins and supplements is associated with better health & longevity

• 60% of the US population consumes vitamins and other supplements

• The elderly population that consumes these vitamins/supplements is on the increase, and they are prone to deficiencies of some vitamins such as vitamin B12.

• Aloe Vera is a common house plant that has been used for its health benefits for centuries in many different cultures.

Study Developed by

S. Devaraj, PhD, DABCC, FACBAssociate Professor

Director of ToxicologyLaboratory for Atherosclerosis and

Metabolic Research, UCDavis Medical Center

Sacramento CA

Aloe Study

• External uses: Aloe gel has historically been used for soothing, minor burns and skin irritations.

• Internal uses: used as a digestive aid and immune system booster.

• A recent consensus points to 60% of elderly population consuming Aloe containing products

• Aloe Vera may enhance the bioavailability of vitamin E and vitamin C.

Aloe Study

• Aloe is processed using 2 primary approaches– Hand-filleted technique – Whole leaf procedure

Biologically significant ingredients in Aloe are primarily thought to be the polysaccharides such as Acemannan, but could include some of the other 200+ components

Background for Study

1.) Number of people taking vitamins and supplements is 60% and growing.

2.) Numerous environmental & other factors impair the bioavailability of the common water-soluble vitamin C-a potent antioxidant that also aids in iron absorption and collagen synthesis.

3) Vitamin B12 is another common water soluble vitamin that is not well-absorbed in older individuals and is low in vegetarians

Most people do not consume 5 daily servings of fruits or vegetables, thus supplements such as Aloe that may increase the absorption of vitamins can be helpful, especially in the older population.

Aloe Study Purpose

• Primary: To test the effect of two different Aloe Vera preparations on the bioavailability of Vitamin C and B12 in healthy human volunteers.

• Secondary: To test the effect of two different Aloe Vera preparations on the lipid profile and glucose levels since Aloe supplements contain different polysaccharides.

Aloe Study

• Fasting blood draw

• Patient either receives Aloe vera gel, (whole) leaf extract or a placebo in a random order( on each of the 3 visits).

• And 500mg of Vitamin C along with 1mg of Vitamin B12.

Aloe Study

• 7 samples of blood were taken from the patient at each visit.

• At 0, 1,2, 4, 6, 8, 24 hours.

• At 2 hours, subjects were given a light breakfast (bagel and banana) and at 6 hours, they were provided a light lunch (fettucine or special pizza with no vitamin C or B12).

Aloe Study

• Aloe Vera Gel and Leaf preparations were well-tolerated by subjects and they experienced no side effects

• Aloe vera Gel and Leaf had no effect on the lipid profile or on glucose levels

• When given with vitamins C and B12, Aloe vera Gel significantly increased plasma ORAC at both 4 and 24 hrs and Aloe vera Leaf significantly increased plasma ORAC at 4 hrs compared to baseline and placebo

• When given with vitamins C and B12, Aloe vera Gel significantly increased plasma vitamin C at 4,6,8 and 24 hrs and Aloe vera Leaf significantly increased plasma vitamin C at 4 and 6 hrs compared to baseline and placebo

• When given with vitamins C and B12, Aloe vera Gel and Leaf significantly increased serum vitamin B12 levels at 1 and 2 hrs compared to baseline and placebo

Aloe Study Conclusions

• Aloe Gel and Aloe Leaf preparations are safe, well-tolerated and enhance the bioavailability & antioxidant potential of vitamins C and B12.

• This could have major implications with regards to supplementation with vitamins/supplements, especially in older populations.

Summary

• Aloe Vera, taken with vitamins & supplements, help enhance the body’s ability to assimilate them

• Aloe Vera is now gaining the needed science that supports the anecdotal recognition of aloe’s myriad health benefits

• IASC organization is spearheading the regulatory, legislative, scientific, and marketplace acceptance of the many benefits of aloe vera