372
“chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity” (OEHHA
2015).
• They act as abortifacients, hence should not be taken by pregnant women. The
compounds also pass to baby with the milk.
• In case of hemorrhoids aloe vera should be avoided.
Number of investigation has been carried out to check the toxicological properties of Aloe gel and leaf extracts on the basis of toxicity causing ability in humans
and animals.
Side effects have been reported with the use of aloe in humans which present
themselves as severe form of watery diarrhea associated with colicky abdominal
pain and spasms may occur. Mild side effects occur with even a small dose of aloe
but the overuse can lead to severe symptoms.
It has been reported that the overuse of anthraquinones can cause hepatitis as
well as metabolic acidosis, albuminuria, malabsorption, weight loss and hematuria.
Dehydration and hypotension associated with overuse of the plant follows the
watery diarrhea due to the plant’s laxative effects.
Hypoglycemia may occur as a result of overuse of the plant for a longer duration
as the plant increase the insulin level in the body which although beneficial for diabetes can lead to serious side effects in healthy individuals by depleting of glucose
levels inside the body and may cause symptoms of weakness and lethargy and
excessive sleep and drowsiness.
Hypokalemia that may result due to electrolytes imbalances attributed to excessive diarrhea can lead to serious complications ranging from hypoalbuminemia and
hematuria to neuromuscular and cardiac dysfunction which can ultimately lead to
mortality especially along with the use of cardiac glycosides.
Ininflammatory conditions of the GIT aloe usage should not be encouraged. Aloe
should also be avoided during pregnancy and in GIT symptoms such as nausea and
vomiting that have not yet been diagnosed.
Experimentally, Aloe and their preparations have been reported to cause allergic
conditions and hypersensitivity (Ernst 2000). Emodin exposure to rats have shown
an increased incidence of renal tubule pigmentation and introduced nephropathy in
mice (National Toxicology Program 2001).
On applying various forms of aloe extracts, various plant derived components
and commercially available gels, by intraperitoneal or intravenous injections to
mice, rats and dogs for single or eight repeated interval of 4 days the dogs has
observed emesis and diarrhoea (Fogleman et al. 1992). Repeated administration of
the material had led to increase in accumulation of macrophages and monocytes in
the lungs of intravenously-treated animals and in the liver and spleen of
intraperitoneally- treated. Intoxication approved with a clinical sign of a decrease in
activity, abnormal gait and stance, piloerection, flaccid body tone, and tremors in
mice. For dogs it included emesis, abdominal discomfort, decreased activity, and
diarrhoea. The high (80 mg/kg per dose) and middle (40 mg/kg per dose) doses of
intravenously treated mice and doses of 100 mg/kg to 200 mg/kg of intraperitoneally treated mice have resulted into early death problem.
C. Egbuna et al.
“chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity” (OEHHA
2015).
• They act as abortifacients, hence should not be taken by pregnant women. The
compounds also pass to baby with the milk.
• In case of hemorrhoids aloe vera should be avoided.
Number of investigation has been carried out to check the toxicological properties of Aloe gel and leaf extracts on the basis of toxicity causing ability in humans
and animals.
Side effects have been reported with the use of aloe in humans which present
themselves as severe form of watery diarrhea associated with colicky abdominal
pain and spasms may occur. Mild side effects occur with even a small dose of aloe
but the overuse can lead to severe symptoms.
It has been reported that the overuse of anthraquinones can cause hepatitis as
well as metabolic acidosis, albuminuria, malabsorption, weight loss and hematuria.
Dehydration and hypotension associated with overuse of the plant follows the
watery diarrhea due to the plant’s laxative effects.
Hypoglycemia may occur as a result of overuse of the plant for a longer duration
as the plant increase the insulin level in the body which although beneficial for diabetes can lead to serious side effects in healthy individuals by depleting of glucose
levels inside the body and may cause symptoms of weakness and lethargy and
excessive sleep and drowsiness.
Hypokalemia that may result due to electrolytes imbalances attributed to excessive diarrhea can lead to serious complications ranging from hypoalbuminemia and
hematuria to neuromuscular and cardiac dysfunction which can ultimately lead to
mortality especially along with the use of cardiac glycosides.
Ininflammatory conditions of the GIT aloe usage should not be encouraged. Aloe
should also be avoided during pregnancy and in GIT symptoms such as nausea and
vomiting that have not yet been diagnosed.
Experimentally, Aloe and their preparations have been reported to cause allergic
conditions and hypersensitivity (Ernst 2000). Emodin exposure to rats have shown
an increased incidence of renal tubule pigmentation and introduced nephropathy in
mice (National Toxicology Program 2001).
On applying various forms of aloe extracts, various plant derived components
and commercially available gels, by intraperitoneal or intravenous injections to
mice, rats and dogs for single or eight repeated interval of 4 days the dogs has
observed emesis and diarrhoea (Fogleman et al. 1992). Repeated administration of
the material had led to increase in accumulation of macrophages and monocytes in
the lungs of intravenously-treated animals and in the liver and spleen of
intraperitoneally- treated. Intoxication approved with a clinical sign of a decrease in
activity, abnormal gait and stance, piloerection, flaccid body tone, and tremors in
mice. For dogs it included emesis, abdominal discomfort, decreased activity, and
diarrhoea. The high (80 mg/kg per dose) and middle (40 mg/kg per dose) doses of
intravenously treated mice and doses of 100 mg/kg to 200 mg/kg of intraperitoneally treated mice have resulted into early death problem.
C. Egbuna et al.