Aloe Vera and Cancer

Abstract

SUMMARYAloe vera, a succulent plant species, has a long history in folk medicine. Its clear, viscous liquid has been used to treat skin problems and other disorders since ancient times. In the last century, oral consumption and the injection of aloe have also come to popular attention. Its topical use is effective in the treatment of burns and abrasions, and oral use is effective in the treatment of constipation. However, it has not been found to be superior to standard treatments. Most recently, claims of anti-cancer properties are prevalent. It has been found to inhibit proliferation and angiogenesis, and to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Yet other clinical studies indicate that Aloe vera did not prevent or reduce the number of radiotherapy-related lesions; it merely delayed onset. Furthermore, many instances of toxicity and mortality have been reported in the literature. Today, it is better to avoid it, especially forms taken orally or by injection.

Effects of Carbon Nanomaterials and Aloe vera on Melanomas—Where Are We? Recent Updates

“…Aloe vera compounds exhibit immunomodulatory activities by potentiating the function of the immune system in the antitumor response [ 48 , 66 ]. Lee et al pioneered studies reporting the immunomodulatory effects of Aloe vera [ 67 ].…”

“…Aloe vera reduces not only the proliferation of tumors/metastasis but also the tumor size/mass. Thus, patients receiving chemotherapeutic treatment and/or those with metastatic tumors who were treated with Aloe vera in combination with chemotherapeutic treatment experienced a regression of the tumor and symptoms caused by chemotherapy, such as fatigue and asthenia and, consequently, experienced prolonged survival when treated with the associated therapy [ 48 , 75 ].…”

“…Among the main advances in phytotherapy with Aloe vera , antineoplastic activity against several types of cancer, including melanoma, has shown positive results, related both to tumor regression and an improvement in patients’ quality of life with reduced chemotherapy symptoms [ 38 , 48 ]. Murine models with transplanted tumors display a reduction in tumor mass and a significant extension of the life span after the administration of Aloe vera compounds [ 37 , 71 ].…”

“… The substances present in aloe vera exhibit different biological properties of pharmacological/therapeutic interest. ( a ) Healing-regenerative [ 44 , 45 , 46 ]; ( b ) Photoprotective [ 37 , 51 , 52 ]; ( c ) Antiviral [ 55 , 56 , 57 ]; ( d ) DNA telomerase [ 59 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 ]; ( e ) Immunomodulatory [ 37 , 45 , 46 , 68 , 69 , 70 ]; ( f ) Anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 59 , 63 , 68 , 72 , 74 , 75 ]; ( g ) Synergistic properties with antineoplastic drugs [ 42 , 74 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 ]. …”

Clinical Uses and Toxicity of Aloe vera: An Evidence-Based Comprehensive Retrospective Review (2007-2017)

“…8 Although most of the ancient studies of alternative medicines is using the positive benefits of AV with the claim of having no adverse effects associated with its use; however, the recent researches have proved many side effects of AV resulting due to misuse and wrong dose or dosage form etc. 9 For therapeutic purposes, the herb is very popular with widespread uses of; as skin healer, source of vitamin, digestion improver, antiviral, immune booster, nerve tonic, antibacterial, moisturizer, sun protective, antiaging, stretch mark remover, acne killer, and strong detoxifier if used in a proper way. 10 This study aims to review all the available reported clinical cases for AV toxicity, and to observe as well highlight the factors leading toward toxicity of this plant.…”