Safety Assessment of Drinking Aloe Vera Gel Daily for 90 Days

Jenn Hoskins
18th May, 2024

Safety Assessment of Drinking Aloe Vera Gel Daily for 90 Days

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study, conducted by the University of South Florida and Michigan State University, evaluated the safety of a commercially available Aloe vera gel beverage
  • Sprague Dawley rats were given the Aloe vera gel beverage for 90 days, and no adverse effects were observed
  • The beverage did not cause any histopathological changes or increased cell proliferation in the liver, lungs, kidneys, or urinary bladder, indicating no carcinogenic risk
The safety of Aloe vera gel beverages has been a topic of ongoing debate, primarily due to concerns about the presence of hydroxyanthraquinone derivatives (HADs) in the latex portion of the Aloe leaf. These compounds, such as aloin, have been linked to potential carcinogenicity in non-decolorized whole leaf extracts. A recent study conducted by the University of South Florida and Michigan State University aims to address these concerns by evaluating the safety profile of a commercially available Aloe vera gel beverage[1]. The study involved Sprague Dawley rats, which were given free access to either drinking water or the Aloe vera gel beverage for 90 days. This beverage, prepared from the inner leaves of Aloe barbadensis Miller, contained 3.43 ppm total aloin. The researchers looked for any adverse effects related to the beverage, including changes in thyroid hormones and histopathological changes in multiple tissues and organs. They also used the Ki-67 proliferation assay to check for increased cell proliferation in the liver, lungs, kidneys, or urinary bladder. The results were reassuring. The study found no adverse test substance-related findings, no histologic differences, and no histopathological changes in the tissues and organs examined. Additionally, there was no increased cell proliferation in the organs tested, suggesting that the Aloe vera gel beverage did not pose a carcinogenic risk under the conditions of the study. This study builds on previous research that has explored the safety and efficacy of Aloe vera and its components. For instance, earlier studies have shown that Aloe vera products, specifically those that have been decolorized to remove HADs, do not exhibit genotoxic effects[2][3]. These findings contrast with studies that identified potential mutagenic effects of aloe-emodin in vitro, although these effects were not observed in vivo[4]. The current study's results align with these earlier findings, reinforcing the notion that appropriately processed Aloe vera gel beverages are safe for consumption. The research also ties into the broader context of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for treating various conditions, including functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) in children. A significant percentage of parents have turned to CAM, including herbs and spices, for managing chronic pain disorders in their children. However, the evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of most of these treatments remains limited[5]. The current study adds to the body of evidence suggesting that certain processed Aloe vera products are safe for consumption, potentially expanding the options available for CAM treatments. In summary, the study conducted by the University of South Florida and Michigan State University provides robust evidence supporting the safety of a commercially available Aloe vera gel beverage. These findings are consistent with earlier research that has shown the safety of decolorized Aloe vera products, thereby offering reassurance to consumers and healthcare providers about the safety of such beverages when appropriately processed.

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References

Main Study

1) Evaluation of 90-Day Repeated Dose Oral Toxicity of an Aloe Vera Inner Leaf Gel Beverage.

Published 15th May, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2024.114726

Related Studies

2) The absence of genotoxicity of a mixture of aloin A and B and a commercial aloe gel beverage.

https://doi.org/10.1080/15376516.2021.2023828

3) Absence of genotoxicity of purified Aloe vera whole leaf dry juice as assessed by an in vitro mouse lymphoma tk assay and an in vivo comet assay in male F344 rats.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2021.03.007

4) Genotoxicity of aloeemodin in vitro and in vivo.

Journal: Mutation research, Issue: Vol 367, Issue 3, Mar 1996

5) Herbs and Spices in the Treatment of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Review of Clinical Trials.

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10111715


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