Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a species of the Aloe plant from the lily family. There is no scientific evidence to prove that aloe can treat any type of cancer. Usually, people use the gel from the leaves of an Aloe Vera plant to soothe minor skin problems. It is also known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Usually, it is not advisable to ingest any form of this plant without consulting a medical professional.

Aloe Vera and Cancer

• The gel from the leaves of the Aloe Vera plant is used for wound healing and burns which can be caused by radiotherapy treatments.
• Some studies suggest that certain constituents of Aloe have immune-modulating and anti-cancer effects.
• In liver cancer cells, Emodin from Aloe Vera inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis. Aloe-emodin also enhanced the effects of radiotherapy.
• Administering Aloe with Chemotherapy may prevent or reduce oral mucositis in patients. Further, it can benefit patients with metastatic cancers.

However, many of these findings are inconsistent.

Products

• Indus Valley Bio Organic Non-Toxic Aloe Vera Gel for Acne, Scars, Glowing & Radiant Skin Treatment-175ml – Amazon Link
• Herbal Trends – Qty 1 Ltr. Herbal Trends Aloe Vera Drinking Gel (Juice) – Amazon Link

We recommend that you talk to a medical practitioner before starting any treatment.

References & More Information

1. Credit: Beyond Conventional Care Therapies
2. ZenOnco.io Integrative Oncology Cancer Care
3. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s About Herbs website: Aloe Vera
4. Cancer Research UK. Aloe. 
5. Haddad P, Amouzgar-Hashemi F, Samsami S, Chinichian S, Oghabian MA. Aloe vera for prevention of radiation-induced dermatitis: a self-controlled clinical trial. Curr Oncol. 2013 Aug;20(4):e345-8. doi: 10.3747/co.20.1356.
6. Zhang L, Tizard IR. Activation of a mouse macrophage cell line by acemannan: the major carbohydrate fraction from Aloe vera gel. Immunopharmacology. 1996 Nov;35(2):119-28.
7. Pugh N, Ross SA, ElSohly MA, Pasco DS. Characterization of Aloeride, a new high-molecular-weight polysaccharide from Aloe vera with potent immunostimulatory activity. J Agric Food Chem. 2001 Feb;49(2):1030-4
8. Lee KH, Kim JH, Lim DS, Kim CH. Anti-leukaemic and anti-mutagenic effects of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate isolated from Aloe vera Linne. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2000 May;52(5):593-8.
9. Im SA, Kim JW, Kim HS, et al. Prevention of azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate-induced mouse colon carcinogenesis by processed Aloe vera gel. Int Immunopharmacol.2016 Nov;40:428-435
10. Chang X, Zhao J, Tian F, et al. Aloe-emodin suppresses esophageal cancer cell TE1 proliferation by inhibiting AKT and ERK phosphorylation. Oncol Lett. 2016 Sep;12(3):2232-2238.
11. Kuo PL, Lin TC, Lin CC. The antiproliferative activity of aloe-emodin is through p53-dependent and p21-dependent apoptotic pathway in human hepatoma cell lines. Life Sci. 2002 Sep 6;71(16):1879-92
12. Luo J, Yuan Y, Chang P, et al. Combination of aloe-emodin with radiation enhances radiation effects and improves differentiation in human cervical cancer cells. Mol Med Rep. 2014 Aug;10(2):731-6
13. Worthington HV, Clarkson JE, Bryan G, et al. Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Apr 13;(4):CD000978.
14. Lissoni P, Rovelli F, Brivio F, et al. A randomized study of chemotherapy versus biochemotherapy with chemotherapy plus Aloe arborescens in patients with metastatic cancer. In Vivo. 2009 Jan-Feb;23(1):171-5.
15. Heggie S, Bryant GP, Tripcony L, Keller J, Rose P, Glendenning M, et al. A Phase III study on the efficacy of topical aloe vera gel on irradiated breast tissue. Cancer Nurs. 2002 Dec;25(6):442-51.
16. Olsen DL, Raub W, Jr., Bradley C, Johnson M, Macias JL, Love V, et al. The effect of aloe vera gel/mild soap versus mild soap alone in preventing skin reactions in patients undergoing radiation therapy. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2001 Apr;28(3):543-7.