Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Obesity Activities of Aloe Vera

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: A number of papers and reviews have been written on ethno pharmacological potential of Aloe vera L. [1,2] and Uses described in pharmacopoeias and in traditional systems of medicine: Aloe Vera Gel is widely used for the external treatment of minor wounds and inflammatory skin disorders [3-7]. Aloe latex is known for its laxative properties [8]. The gel is used in the treatment of minor skin irritations, including burns, bruises, and abrasions [3,9,10]. The gel is further used in the cosmetics industry as a hydrating ingredient in liquids, creams, sun lotions, shaving creams, lip balms, healing ointments, and face packs (3). As early as B.C. 400, the aloe vera plant and processed aloe products were being traded throughout Asia. By 700-800 AD, the Chinese “Materia Medicas” noted its medical benefits, referring to the plant as “Lu-hui” (black deposit) because of its bitter taste (Table 1). Internally, it is used for loss of appetite, in inflammation, jaundice, habitual constipation, gas formation in the stomach and leucorrhoea (foul smelling discharge from the genital tract) [10-15]. Table 1: The anti-arthritis effect of Aloe vera on rats (n=8).


Introduction
The earliest record of a human use for Aloe vera comes from the Ebers Papyrus (an Egyptian medical record) from the16 th century BC. According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology, in ancient Egypt, they called Aloe vera "that plant of immortality.

Description
It is a dwarf and fleshy leaved bush. Leaves are long and spinytoothed at the margin. Red colored flowers in a bunch appear ( Table   2). This plant grows well in sandy soil. In or close to mountain only, were it was planted in graveyards. Also an ornamental in towns. Table 2: Anti-inflammatory activity of Aloe vera gel fresh in normal wistar rats carrageenan model.

Parts used
Leaf or juice With such amazing traditional uses, Aloe vera has earned nicknames from all around the globe-names like the "silent healer", "Burn Plant", "ghai Kawar", "elephant's gall", "isha irazu", "Cape Aloe", the "medicine plant", ''Wonder plant "and the "first aid plant" (Figure 1). Aloe vera has been used for centuries is a genus that contains more than 500 species of flowering succulent plants, while there are lots of other Aloe species, none are so heavily utilized as Aloe vera (Table 3). Aloe vera has been the subject of much scientific study over the last few years, regarding several claimed therapeutic properties. The FDA approves Aloe vera as a flavoring in food supplements; it is used as cosmetics and as herbal remedies. The nutritionally dense plant also has some active compounds that may help you shed a few pounds, reduces inflammation while also improving the quality of skin and hair.

Detoxification
The aloe vera gel contains a complex carbohydrate known as acemannan, which facilitates the absorption of nutrients by the cells, nourishes them and helps detoxify them. Aloe vera juice may help in detoxification of the digestive tract, especially the colon.

Boosts metabolism
Aloe vera is believed to give a boost to the metabolism, which helps the body burn more fat. Aloe Vera's metabolism boosting properties are credited to the presence of vitamin B, which converts the fat stored in the body into energy and aids weight loss.

Mode of administration and doses
In burns, the juice or the pulp of the fleshy parts of the leaf is applied externally. For sprains, the pulp or the juice may be rubbed over the affected parts two or three times ( Table 4). The external skin of the leaf is removed with a knife and the fleshy pulp is made to paste using a pastel and mortar. Because of its fleshy nature, it is slightly difficult to take out juice from the pulp. While leaf may be slightly roasted over fire, then it becomes easy to takeout juice from the pulp by squeezing through a cloth. Both pulp and juice is given in a dose of one teaspoonful (5ml) three times per day, preferably on empty stomach. Since it is bitter in taste, a pinch of salt is added to it (Table 5). For children, the juice should be given by adding equal quantity of honey or small quantity of sugar in consultation with physician.

Laboratory studies
Aloe vera extract has been prepared both in water and 70% alcohol.
Other constituents include resins, alosin and its aglycone aloesone

Pharmacological studies
To verify Aloe vera's traditional uses anti-inflammatory and anti obesity studies have been carried out in our laboratories. Anti-inflammatory activity (anti-arthritis activity) has been observed in rats and mouse models. Anti-inflammatory activity Dosage regime: 0.25ml/paw is applied topically.

Protocol: 0.10ml of Freund's complete adjuvant (BDH, England)
is injected into the subplanter of the right hind paw. The hind paw edema is measured with plethysmometer before and 3 rd , 7 th , 10th to 14 th day after adjuvant is given. 5 inhibition of hind paw volume was calculated using the formula [Percentage inhibition = reading/ initial x 100] of rats before and after the administration of Freund's complete adjuvant respectively in the test group and control group.

Result: there is anti-arthritis effect to paw edema induced by
Freund's complete adjuvant when 0.25 ml/paw of Aloe vera (water extract) was applied topically, but there is no effect in AR oil group.

Acute toxicity studies:
The study was carried out in mice.
Both, male and female mice are used for this study. Aloe mixture is given, orally at the dose 5g/kg (0.3ml/10g, p.o.).
The control group is given same volume of distilled water (Table   6). Both treated and control groups of animals were observed for gross behavioral signs and symptoms using a battery of test. Body weights, before and at 24h and 7 days after administration of drug were recorded. Signs and symptoms of toxicity and mortality, if any, is recorded during this period after the administration of the drug. is administered orally by gavages to the treated groups and water to control groups (Table 7)

Summary of Results
a) Acute toxicity of the Aloe extract (single dose administration) studied showed no noticeable toxic signs and symptoms in the treated animals as compared to the control values.
b) The Aloe extract did not cause mortality among the treated animals, at the doses tested. c) The repeated doses effects (18 days treatment) studies showed no significant change in locomotor activity of the animals, motor co-ordination, and body temperature of the treated animals as compared with control.

Conclusion
On acute administration, the drug showed no noticeable toxic signs and symptoms and did not cause any mortality among the treated animals at the dose of 5g/kg. The results of the repeated doses effects (Treatment for 18 days) caused no significant change in signs and symptoms, locomotor activity, vital organ weight ratio.
However, out of 10 treated animals one animal showed abnormally large size liver and spleen, obliterated heart and abnormally small size kidneys. Hematological study showed significant increase in HB & PLT as compared to the control values [16]. The biochemical parameters did not record any changes in the animals of the treated animals as compared with control except the significant elevation of BUN. The weight change studies showed from day-1 to day-18 that the animal has lost weight as compared to the control values.