Aloe vera as a carcinogen:
Aloe vera leaf extract fed to rats in drinking water for 2 years resulted in significant increase in tumors of the large intestine (7).
Assessment and Plan: Aloe vera
- According to 2 trials, aloe vera cream or topical 0.5% hydrophilic aloe vera cream may be an effective treatment for improving psoriasis without the adverse effects that can be seen with steroid creams. More studies need to be done to reinforce effectiveness and standardize an ideal formula (1-2).
- The review by Dat AD et al found that topical aloe lowered time to heal hemorrhoidectomy wounds, but did not heal burns more quickly than silver sulfadiazine, did not show a statistically significant improvement in healing of chronic pressure wounds, and actually delayed healing in surgical wounds (3).
