Aims: Wax apple is an important fruit crop in Malaysia and other tropical countries. However, the black spot disease caused by Lasiodoplodia theobromae can damage the wax apple plants, reducing fruit production and quality. Chemical fungicides are commonly used to overcome this disease. However, their overuse might increase fungal resistance to chemicals. Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate the in vitro antifungal properties of an Aloe vera film incorporated with cinnamon oil on L. theobromae in wax apples. Methodology and results: In vitro antifungal tests were conducted using the poisoned food. This present study found that the inhibition of L. theobromae mycelia when treated with A. vera film with different percentages of cinnamon oil was significantly different compared to the control film at (P<0.05). Results suggest that A. vera film without cinnamon oil showed the highest percentage of inhibition (37.31%) than other films with cinnamon oil due to the antagonistic and less synergistic effect. However, A. vera film with 0.07% of cinnamon oil showed the highest percentage of mycelia inhibition (36.15%) compared to the film with 0.06%, 0.05% and 0.04% cinnamon oil, with mycelia inhibition of 30.55%, 24.25% and 18.82%, respectively, while the mancozeb (positive control) showed 100% inhibition. Conclusion, significance and impact of study In conclusion, A. vera film alone had 37.31% inhibition compared to 36.15% inhibition in A. vera film with 0.7% cinnamon oil. As a result, a tiny amount of cinnamon oil added to the mixture might aid in controlling the black spot disease in wax fruits.
Antifungal Agents ; Aloe ; Oils, Volatile ; Plant Extracts

Aims: Endophytic fungi are organisms that colonize living plant tissues without causing significant symptoms of diseases. They are known as the repository of bioactive compounds. This study was aimed to isolate endophytic fungi associated with Aloe vera and to assess their antimicrobial activity against the diabetic wound pathogens that result to lower limb amputations. Methodology and results: In this study, 84 endophytic fungi were isolated from A. vera by using 5% sodium hypochlorite and 70% ethanol as surface sterilants. On preliminary antimicrobial screening by agar plug assay, 12 (14.3%) isolates showed significant antagonistic activity on the test microorganisms. Two of the endophytes were identified as Aspergillus flavus and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides through morphological and molecular techniques. The fungal cultures fermented in shake flask were extracted subsequently with hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol. Ethyl acetate and dichloromethane extracts of A. flavus and C. gloeosporioides inhibited all test bacteria. The compounds in the extracts were seemed to be semi-polar in nature. On broth microdilution assay, minimal inhibitory and minimal lethality concentration of ethyl acetate extracts of the fungi were found in the range of 0.63−2.50 and 1.25−5.00 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusion, significance and impact of study This study reveals that A. vera harbours a wide diversity of endophytic fungi. A. flavus and C. gloeosporioides showing broad spectrum antimicrobial activity on wound pathogens may be potential sources of bioactive compounds. Further investigations should be conducted to isolate and identify the antimicrobial compound produced by these fungal isolates.
Endophytes--isolation & ; purification ; Aloe

Small bowel obstruction is a clinical condition commonly caused by postoperative adhesion, volvulus, intussusceptions, and hernia. Small bowel obstruction due to bezoars is clinically uncommon, accounting for approximately 2-4% of all obstructions. Computed tomography (CT) is a useful method in diagnosing the cause of small bowel obstruction. However, small bowel obstruction caused by bezoars may not be detected by an abdominal CT examination. Herein, we report a rare case of small bowel obstruction by Aloe vera bezoars, which were undetected by an abdominal CT. Phytobezoars should be included in the differential diagnosis of small bowel obstruction in patients with predisposing factors, such as excessive consumption of high-fiber food and diabetes.
Aloe* ; Bezoars* ; Causality ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hernia ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Intestinal Volvulus ; Intestine, Small ; Intussusception ; Methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are highly dangerous nosocomial pathogens, cause the symptoms of skin infections, pressure sores, sepsis, blood stream and wound infections. Unfortunately, these pathogens are immune to the most common antibiotics, such as, carbapenem, aminoglycoside and fluoroquinolone. Therefore, it is imperative that new and effective antibiotics be developed. In the present study, the antimicrobial effects of Aloe vera MAP (modified Aloe polysaccharide) on Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Enterobacter aerogenes, and clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa and clinical Acinetobacter baumannii were comprehensibly investigated. Prior to the growth inhibition effect measurement and antibiotic disc diffusion assay on gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and selected multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii, antimicrobial resistance screening was performed for the multidrug-resistant bacteria obtained from clinical isolates. The results for showed the Aloe vera MAP had a concentration-dependent effect on all of examined bacteria, particularly on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant experiments were also performed dose dependently effects to confirm the beneficial physiological effects of Aloe vera MAP.
Acinetobacter baumannii ; Aloe* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacillus subtilis ; Bacteria* ; Diffusion ; Enterobacter aerogenes ; Escherichia coli ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; Mass Screening ; Pressure Ulcer ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Rivers ; Sepsis ; Skin ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Wound Infection

PURPOSE: Aloe-emodin (AE), an ingredient of aloe, is known to exhibit anti-inflammatory activities. However, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms of its inflammatory modulatory activity in vitro. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of AE using Pam₃CSK₄-stimulated macrophages. METHODS: RAW 264.7 macrophages were treated with AE (0~20 mM) for 1 h, followed by treatment with Pam₃CSK₄ for 1 h. After incubation, mRNA expression levels of cytokines were measured. The effect of AE on TLR2-related molecules was also investigated in Pam₃CSK₄-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. RESULTS: AE attenuated Pam₃CSK₄-stimulated expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Two concentrations of AE (10 µM and 20 µM) effectively reduced mRNA expression of TLR2 by 41.18% and 54.43%, respectively, compared to that in control cells (p < 0.05). AE also decreased nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation. Phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2, p38, and JNK were markedly reduced by 20 µM AE. In particular, AE decreased phosphorylation of ERK in a dose-dependent manner in Pam₃CSK₄-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that AE exerts its anti-inflammatory effect by suppressing TLR2-mediated activation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways in macrophages.
Aloe ; Cytokines ; In Vitro Techniques ; Interleukin-6 ; Macrophages* ; Necrosis ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Kinases ; RNA, Messenger

Health functional food is referred to a food prepared or processed from specific components or ingredients for functionality beneficial to the body through extraction, concentration, purification, blending and other methods. The demand for health functional foods is steadily increasing, and red ginseng is the most demanded food among women in the 50s, followed by multivitamin, omega-3, glucosamine and aloe. To date, there is insufficient evidence on the effect of red ginseng on exercise capacity, somatic symptom and cognitive performance in healthy individuals. Moreover, evidence is insufficient that a nutritional dose of vitamin or mineral reduces the incidence of cardiovascular disease and cancer, or mortality rate. A steady intake of oily fish is recommended to prevent the incidence of cardiovascular disease for postmenopausal women. Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids is expected to prevent cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women with almost no intake of oily fish and those not taking statins. It still remains controversial whether glucosamine is effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Hence, physicians should fully inform patients with all controversial information about the effectiveness of glucosamine when prescribing glucosamine for patients with osteoarthritis.
Aloe ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Female ; Functional Food* ; Glucosamine ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; Incidence ; Mortality ; Osteoarthritis ; Panax ; Vitamins

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness and safety of Aloe vera as an adjunct treatment to Metformin in lowering Fasting Blood Glucose levels in Diabetic patients.

DESIGN: Therapeutic Clinical Trial

STUDY SUBJECTS: Patients aged 40-65 years old taking Metformin 500mg twice a day with FBS of 126mg/dL to 250mg/dL with no other co-morbidities seen at Family Medicine - Quezon City General Hospital, Out Patient Department.

METHOD: Sixty (60) out of 93 study subjects were included after baseline determination of FBS and was assigned to either of the two groups after systematic random sampling method. Both groups had 30 subjects each and were given Aloe vera and placebo on the assigned group. Repeat FBS was determined after 2 weeks. Data gathered were analyzed using Epi info 6 SPSS ver 20 and STATA 11.0 Software.

RESULTS: Sixty (60) patients completed the study. The mean height in Group A (OHA+Aloe vera) was 161.53(+/- 7.651) and Group B 159.83 (+/- 8.465). The mean height in Group A was 60.70 (+/-11.996) and Group B 59.95 (+/-10.528). The mean BMI in Group was 23.21 (+/- 4.027) and in Group B 23.557 (+/-4.481). The mean age in Group A was 52.97 (+/-­5.720) and in Group B 57.63 (+/-4.287). The Gender had a p value of 0.796; occupation p value 0.067; and education p value 0.796. The comparison of mean change in FBS within groups had a p value of 0.001. The comparison of mean change in FBS between groups in pre-treatment, p value of 0.933; post treatment p value of 0.0104. The FBS % change in both groups had a p value of 0.001. The comparison of age-adjusted percent change in the FBS between the 2 groups had a p value of 0.001. There was one patient who experienced bloatedness on the third day of treatment in Group A.

CONCLUSION: This study has shown that the use of Aloe vera as an adjunct treatment to Metforms is effective and safe.

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

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a major health problem and leads to metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia. Recently, it was reported that aloe QDM complex, composed of processed aloe vera gel, aloesin and chromiun could improve insulin sensitivity by enhancing 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein (AMPK) activity and has an anti-inflammatory effect by reducing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It is also known that aloe QDM complex can reduce body weight, body fat mass and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes patients. The purpose of this study was to assess for possible synergistic effects of weight-bearing circuit training and aloe QDM complex supplementation on body composition, physical fitness, blood profile and diabetes risk factors. METHODS: Study subjects included 19 participants randomly assigned to the Exercise group (Ex, n=9) and to the Exercise with aloe QDM complex group (Q-Ex, n=10). Both groups participated in weight-bearing circuit training 3 times a week for 4 weeks and took a capsule composed of either aloe (aloe QDM complex) or soy bean (placebo), 1100 mg/day for 4 weeks. Body composition was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Grip strength, flexibility, curl-up, balance, agility, Sargent jump and VO2max were measured, as well as fasting blood samples taken. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of weight-bearing circuit training and aloe QDM complex supplementation, the significant interactions (time x intervention) between the groups regarding body fat percentage (F=7.024, P=0.017) and body fat mass (F=5.243, P=0.035) were calculated. There were significant differences in body fat percentage (P=0.029) and body fat mass (P=0.039). No significant interaction was observed in physical fitness, blood profile and diabetes risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the combination of weight-bearing circuit training and aloe QDM complex supplementation showed a positive effect for reducing body fat mass, and could be an effective intervention for managing obesity.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adenosine ; Adipose Tissue ; Aloe* ; Body Composition ; Body Weight ; Cytokines ; Fasting ; Female ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Insulin Resistance ; Metabolic Diseases ; Middle Aged* ; Obesity ; Physical Fitness ; Pliability ; Risk Factors ; Soybeans ; Weight-Bearing*

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a major health problem and leads to metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia. Recently, it was reported that aloe QDM complex, composed of processed aloe vera gel, aloesin and chromiun could improve insulin sensitivity by enhancing 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein (AMPK) activity and has an anti-inflammatory effect by reducing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It is also known that aloe QDM complex can reduce body weight, body fat mass and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes patients. The purpose of this study was to assess for possible synergistic effects of weight-bearing circuit training and aloe QDM complex supplementation on body composition, physical fitness, blood profile and diabetes risk factors. METHODS: Study subjects included 19 participants randomly assigned to the Exercise group (Ex, n=9) and to the Exercise with aloe QDM complex group (Q-Ex, n=10). Both groups participated in weight-bearing circuit training 3 times a week for 4 weeks and took a capsule composed of either aloe (aloe QDM complex) or soy bean (placebo), 1100 mg/day for 4 weeks. Body composition was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Grip strength, flexibility, curl-up, balance, agility, Sargent jump and VO2max were measured, as well as fasting blood samples taken. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of weight-bearing circuit training and aloe QDM complex supplementation, the significant interactions (time x intervention) between the groups regarding body fat percentage (F=7.024, P=0.017) and body fat mass (F=5.243, P=0.035) were calculated. There were significant differences in body fat percentage (P=0.029) and body fat mass (P=0.039). No significant interaction was observed in physical fitness, blood profile and diabetes risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the combination of weight-bearing circuit training and aloe QDM complex supplementation showed a positive effect for reducing body fat mass, and could be an effective intervention for managing obesity.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adenosine ; Adipose Tissue ; Aloe* ; Body Composition ; Body Weight ; Cytokines ; Fasting ; Female ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Insulin Resistance ; Metabolic Diseases ; Middle Aged* ; Obesity ; Physical Fitness ; Pliability ; Risk Factors ; Soybeans ; Weight-Bearing*