374
aberration of chromosomes in Chinese hamster ovary cells (Lee et al. 2006).
Danthron also found potent carcinogen and induced DNA damage and apoptosis in
SNU-1 human gastric cancer cells with the help of mitochondrial permeability transition pores and Bax-triaggered pathways (Chiang et al. 2011).
18.7.3 Carcinogenicity
F344/N rats were administered Aloe vera whole leaf extract in drinking water orally
for 2 years and observed clear evidence of carcinogenic activity (NTP 2015). NTP
Report 577 reported that the 13-week exposure resulted into. The 2-year study
described significant related increases in the incidences of adenomas or carcinomas
of the ileocecal and cecal-colic junction, cecum, and the ascending and transverse
colon in male and female rats in the high-dose groups.
Hydroxyanthraquinones (HA) like danthron, aloe-emodin, and emodin were
investigated for tumor promotion activities, like induction of cell proliferation and
initiation of malignant transformation, in mice (Wolfle et al. 1990). A two or threefold increase in DNA synthesis was observed in primary rat hepatocytes on exposure to danthron and aloe-emodin. Danthron also found to enhance malignant
transformation of C3H/M2 mouse fibroblasts concluding that HA present in Aloe
latex with hydroxy groups in the 1,8 positions may exhibit tumor-promoting activity.
18.7.4 Adverse Clinical Effects on Human
Dioscorides, a Greek physician of the first century A.D have first medically recorded
the therapeutic use of Aloe (Fantus 1922). Afterwards, Aloe latex was widely utilized in herbal laxative preparations in many countries. Hence ingestion of latex in
high doses and prolonged time resulted into a number of adverse effects and has
been reported in clinical studies. Prolonged use manifested with electrolyte imbalance due to diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, hypokalemia and the development
of a cathartic colon (the colon becomes atonic and dilated) with the risk of developing colon cancer (Van Gorkom et al. 1999).
There are various single clinical cases for different types of adverse effect has
been reported however there are no published controlled toxicology studies in vivo
reports are available. A female patient 1-week history of progressive jaundice, pruritus, alcoholic bowel movements, and abdominal discomfort, have resulted into
severe acute hepatitis with portal and acinar infiltrates of lymphocytes, plasma cells,
granulocytes along with bridging necrosis and bilirubinostasis when she began
ingesting tablets of an unspecified extract of Aloe barbadensis Miller (500 mg/tablet) 4 weeks prior to inspection (Rabe et al. 2005).
A. vera also found to potentially interact with the drugs prescribed to the patients
for medication. It was also found that the compound present in A. vera can cause a
C. Egbuna et al.
aberration of chromosomes in Chinese hamster ovary cells (Lee et al. 2006).
Danthron also found potent carcinogen and induced DNA damage and apoptosis in
SNU-1 human gastric cancer cells with the help of mitochondrial permeability transition pores and Bax-triaggered pathways (Chiang et al. 2011).
18.7.3 Carcinogenicity
F344/N rats were administered Aloe vera whole leaf extract in drinking water orally
for 2 years and observed clear evidence of carcinogenic activity (NTP 2015). NTP
Report 577 reported that the 13-week exposure resulted into. The 2-year study
described significant related increases in the incidences of adenomas or carcinomas
of the ileocecal and cecal-colic junction, cecum, and the ascending and transverse
colon in male and female rats in the high-dose groups.
Hydroxyanthraquinones (HA) like danthron, aloe-emodin, and emodin were
investigated for tumor promotion activities, like induction of cell proliferation and
initiation of malignant transformation, in mice (Wolfle et al. 1990). A two or threefold increase in DNA synthesis was observed in primary rat hepatocytes on exposure to danthron and aloe-emodin. Danthron also found to enhance malignant
transformation of C3H/M2 mouse fibroblasts concluding that HA present in Aloe
latex with hydroxy groups in the 1,8 positions may exhibit tumor-promoting activity.
18.7.4 Adverse Clinical Effects on Human
Dioscorides, a Greek physician of the first century A.D have first medically recorded
the therapeutic use of Aloe (Fantus 1922). Afterwards, Aloe latex was widely utilized in herbal laxative preparations in many countries. Hence ingestion of latex in
high doses and prolonged time resulted into a number of adverse effects and has
been reported in clinical studies. Prolonged use manifested with electrolyte imbalance due to diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, hypokalemia and the development
of a cathartic colon (the colon becomes atonic and dilated) with the risk of developing colon cancer (Van Gorkom et al. 1999).
There are various single clinical cases for different types of adverse effect has
been reported however there are no published controlled toxicology studies in vivo
reports are available. A female patient 1-week history of progressive jaundice, pruritus, alcoholic bowel movements, and abdominal discomfort, have resulted into
severe acute hepatitis with portal and acinar infiltrates of lymphocytes, plasma cells,
granulocytes along with bridging necrosis and bilirubinostasis when she began
ingesting tablets of an unspecified extract of Aloe barbadensis Miller (500 mg/tablet) 4 weeks prior to inspection (Rabe et al. 2005).
A. vera also found to potentially interact with the drugs prescribed to the patients
for medication. It was also found that the compound present in A. vera can cause a
C. Egbuna et al.