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Review of Clinical Pharmacology of Aloe vera L. in the Treatment of Psoriasis
Author(s) -
Miroddi Marco,
Navarra Michele,
Calapai Fabrizio,
Mancari Ferdinando,
Giofrè Salvatore Vincenzo,
Gangemi Sebastiano,
Calapai Gioacchino
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.5316
Subject(s) - aloe vera , medicine , psoriasis , jadad scale , clinical trial , traditional medicine , adverse effect , consolidated standards of reporting trials , cosmetics , phytotherapy , dermatology , randomized controlled trial , alternative medicine , pharmacology , surgery , pathology , cochrane library
Aloe vera L., is a plant used worldwide as folk remedy for the treatment of various ailments, including skin disorders. Its gel is present in cosmetics, medicinal products and food supplements. Psoriasis, an immune‐mediated chronic inflammatory disease, involving mainly the skin, affects about the 2–3% of general population. Conventional pharmacological treatments for psoriasis can have limited effectiveness and can cause adverse reactions. For this reason often psoriatic patients look for alternative treatments based on natural products containing Aloe vera . We conducted a systematic review of clinical trials assessing effectiveness and safety of aloe for the treatment of psoriasis. Clinical studies published in English were considered; a total of four clinical trials met inclusion criteria. Studies were also evaluated by using the Jadad scale and Consort Statement in Reporting Clinical trials of Herbal Medicine Intervention. Quality and methodological accuracy of considered studies varied considerably, and some crucial information to reproduce clinical results was missing. We conclude that administration of aloe as cutaneous treatment is generally well tolerated, as no serious side effects were reported. Results on the effectiveness of Aloe vera are contradictory; our analysis reveals the presence of methodological gaps preventing to reach final conclusions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.