Aloe has been widely used in phytomedicine. Phytomedicine describes aloe as a herb which has anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-aging effects. In recent years several cases of aloe-induced hepatotoxicity were reported. But its pharmacokinetics and toxicity are poorly described in the literature. Here we report three cases with aloe-induced toxic hepatitis. A 57-yr-old woman, a 62-yr-old woman and a 55-yr-old woman were admitted to the hospital for acute hepatitis. They had taken aloe preparation for months. Their clinical manifestation, laboratory findings and histologic findings met diagnostic criteria (RUCAM scale) of toxic hepatitis. Upon discontinuation of the oral aloe preparations, liver enzymes returned to normal level. Aloe should be considered as a causative agent in hepatotoxicity.
Aloe/*adverse effects ; Animals ; Dietary Supplements/adverse effects ; *Drug-Induced Liver Injury/enzymology/pathology/physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy/adverse effects ; Plant Extracts/adverse effects

Aloe is one of the leading products used in phytomedicine. Several cases of aloe-induced toxic hepatitis have been reported in recent years. However, its toxicology has not yet been systematically described in the literature. A 21-year-old female patient was admitted to our hospital with acute hepatitis after taking an aloe vera preparation for four weeks. Her history, clinical manifestation, laboratory findings, and histological findings all led to the diagnosis of aloe vera-induced toxic hepatitis. We report herein on a case of acute toxic hepatitis induced by aloe vera.
Adult ; Aged ; Alanine Transaminase/blood ; Alkaline Phosphatase/blood ; Aloe/*chemistry/metabolism ; Drug-Induced Liver Injury/*diagnosis/etiology/pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver/pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plant Extracts/*adverse effects/*chemistry ; Splenomegaly/diagnosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult