2016

Current Oncology, an international, peer-reviewed Open Access journal.

Oxidative stress has a major role in progression of diabetes-related behavioral deficits. It has been suggested that Aloe vera has anti-diabetic, anti…

50 ml/day of Aloe vera juice restored normal thyroid function in the participating subjects and decreased their elevated serum TPOAb levels after just 3 months.

Background The trehalose (Tre) pathway has strong effects on growth and development in plants through regulation of carbon metabolism. Altering either Tre or trehalose 6-phosphate (T6P) can improve growth and productivity of plants as observed under different water availability. As yet, there are no reports of the effects of modification of Tre orT6P on plant performance under limiting nutrition. Results Here we report that nitrogen (N) metabolism is positively affected by exogenous application of Tre in nitrogen-deficient growing conditions. Spraying foliage of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) with trehalose partially alleviated symptoms of nitrogen deficiency through upregulation of nitrate and ammonia assimilation and increasing activities of nitrate reductase (NR), glycolate oxidase (GO), glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamine oxoglutarate aminotransferase (GOGAT) with concomitant changes in ammonium (NH4 +) and nitrate (NO3 −) concentrations, glutamine and amino acids. Chlorophyll and total nitrogen content of leaves and rates of photosynthesis were increased compared to nitrogen-deficient plants without applied Tre. Total plant biomass accumulation was also higher in Tre -fed nitrogen-deficient plants, with a smaller proportion of dry weight partitioned to roots, compared to nitrogen-deficient plants without applied Tre. Consistent with higher nitrogen assimilation and growth, Tre application reduced foliar starch. Minimal effects of Tre feeding were observed on nitrogen-sufficient plants. Conclusions The data show, for the first time, significant stimulatory effects of exogenous Tre on nitrogen metabolism and growth in plants growing under deficient nitrogen. Under such adverse conditions metabolism is regulated for survival rather than productivity. Application of Tre can alter this regulation towards maintenance of productive functions under low nitrogen. This has implications for considering approaches to modifying the Tre pathway for to improve crop nitrogen-use efficiency and production.

The present study was premeditated to examine the radioprotective effects of aqueous Aloe vera gel extract against whole-body X-ray irradiation–induced hematolo...

An abstract is unavailable.

While this plant is fairly common and well-known for its role in sunburn recovery, Aloe Vera is not content taking care of only one or two issues. This plant is a wonderful healing substance with plenty of uses.

Aloe Vera Medicinal Plant Useful for Sunburn and Leaky Gut.

Vaginal atrophy is of the most common problems during menopause with significant psychosocial and medical consequences. Estrogen as an approved therap…

Objective: To demonstrate the safety and tolerability of repeated high dose IV administration of trehalose (Cabaletta) in OPMD patients, as part of a phase 2 therapy trial. Background: Trehalose is a disaccharide with protein stabilizing and autophagy enhancing properties. It showed efficacy in reducing abnormal protein aggregation in animal models of several human poly A- and poly Q- mediated hereditary neurological disorders (of which OPMD is an example). Design and Methods: Eleven patients with molecularly confirmed OPMD (age: mean 63 years, range 43-78; disease duration: mean 10.6 years, range 1-24) received weekly infusion of 30 gr Cabaletta for 9-16 weeks (at time of abstract submission). Results: No drug-related adverse effects were noted, in particular no cardiovascular changes were observed. A subtle increase (mean= 5 mg[percnt]) in plasma glucose concentrations was observed 1 hour after trehalose administration. No increase in insulin levels was found. Short term glycosuria was recorded, probably due to trehalase activity in the kidney. Levels of plasma trehalose after a single administration in humans reached the expected concentrations determined in the animal studies as necessary for intracellular activity of trehalose (max. levels of 1000-2000 mgr/mL after 1 hour) and were retained up to 5 hours. Conclusions: Based on these preliminary findings, high dose IV trehalose (Cabaletta) is safe in humans. Clinical trials in OPMD and spinocerebellar atrophy type 3 are currently going on. More disorders with similar PolyA/Poly Q genotypic changes may be suitable for such trials. Disclosure: Dr. Argov has received personal compensation for activities with BioBlast Pharma as chief medical officer. Dr. Vornovitsky has nothing to disclose. Dr. Blumen has received personal compensation for activities with Bioblast Pharma as a consultant. Dr. Caraco has received personal compensation for activities with Sanofi, NeuroDerm, and Roche as a consultant. Thursday, April 23 2015, 2:00 pm-6:30 pm

PhD Thesis Abstract Background: Cancer continues to represent the main cause of mortality in the world, the second leading cause of death worldwide next to cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is important to find effective non-toxic, inexpensive, and suitable neoadjuvant therapy with methotrexate (MTX) to decrease its dosage without lowering its chemotherapeutic efficacy. Aim:  This study aimed to investigate the antitumor effect of trehalose (TRE) on mice bearing Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) and to test whether it can enhance the anticancer potential of MTX. Materials and Methods: In this experiment, mice were assigned into 8 groups were used for assessment of antitumor activity of TRE. The antitumor activity of TRE was assessed by measuring the survival time, counting tumor cells, monitoring autophagic activity at the cellular level by flow cytometry, monitoring autophagic and apoptotic regulated genes (Caspase 3, Bec1, and Bcl2 genes ) by real-time  PCR, as well as the biochemical parameters, oxidative stress markers in liver homogenate, complete blood picture (CBC) and histological studies of all groups. Results: Treatment of EAC mice with TRE or MTX alone or in combination resulted in a significant decrease in total, viable, and non-viable tumor cells count as well as the tumor volume in comparison with EAC mice. Treatment with TRE alone or in combination MTX induced a significant increase in the hepatic antioxidant status, a significant upregulation in the gene expression of caspase 3, with the highest expression in the combined group, as compared to the non-treated EAC group. On the other hand, the same treatments resulted in a significant downregulation of Bcl2 and Bec1 genes, with the lowest expression in the combined group. These results showed a significant decrease in autophagic activities in both TRE- and TRE+MTX -treated groups as compared to the non-treated EAC group. Histopathological examination revealed normal lobular architecture with central vein and radiating hepatic cell cords in normal control mice. Conclusion: TRE is considered as an autophagic inhibitor for cancer cells which could be used as a potential neoadjuvant for the antitumor drug, MTX, and probably other chemotherapeutic compounds. This new role of TRE coupled with its apoptotic induction property on tumor cells and lack of toxicity on normal cells increases the efficacy of an antitumor drug for treating a spectrum of cancers. (This Ph.D. thesis was approved by the Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Egypt by March 31, 2018).

(2019). Amelioration of Diabetes-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy by Aloe vera: Implication of Oxidative Stress and Hyperlipidemia. Journal of Dietary Supplements: Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 227-244.

This paper investigates the performance, combustion and emission characteristics of a direct injection (DI) diesel engine, fueled with alumina ($$\hbox {Al}_{2} \hbox {O} _{3})$$ Al2O3) nanoparticles-dispersed aloe vera diesel blends. The test fuels B10 (90% diesel and 10% aloe vera biodiesel), $$\hbox {B10}+ \hbox {Al}_{2} \hbox {O}_{3}$$ B10+Al2O3 (90% diesel, 10% aloe vera biodiesel and 30 ppm of $$\hbox {Al}_{2} \hbox {O}_{3}$$ Al2O3 nanoparticles), B20 (80% diesel and 20% aloe vera biodiesel) and $$\hbox {B20}+ \hbox {Al}_{2} \hbox {O}_{3}$$ B20+Al2O3 (80% diesel, 20% aloe vera biodiesel and 30 ppm of $$\hbox {Al}_{2} \hbox {O}_{3}$$ Al2O3 nanoparticles) are prepared separately for each aloe vera diesel blends at a dosage of 30 ppm with an aid of an ultrasonicator. The combustion characteristics such as heat release rate and cylinder pressure are investigated using the data acquisition system, while the engine performance features are examined by brake-specific fuel consumption and brake thermal efficiency. The levels of engine pollutants are analyzed by unburned hydrocarbon (UBHC), carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO) and smoke opacity. These investigations disclosed the use of biodiesel blends with $$\hbox {Al}_{2} \hbox {O}_{3}$$ Al2O3 nanoparticles in DI diesel engine with significant amelioration of combustion characteristic and substantial decrement of CO, NO, smoke, UBHC emissions and brake thermal efficiency by 44%, 47%, 37%, 29% and 3%, when compared with the diesel fuel.

ReferencePanahi Y, Khedmat H, Valizadegan G, Mohtashami R, Sahebkar A. Efficacy and safety of Aloe vera syrup for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a pilot randomized positive-controlled trial. J Tradit Chin Med. 2015;35(6):632-636.

Yoon Mi Choi, Da Hye Shin, and Chong-Hyeak Kim. AM 2016;46:76-82. https://doi.org/10.9729/AM.2016.46.2.76

The aloe vera plant has become increasingly popular in recent years. This study aimed to research the effect of aloe vera to prevent renal and lung tissue damage in an experimental ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury model. The study included 21 male Wistar Albino rats, which were categorized into control group, n = 7 (no procedures), Sham group n = 7 (I/R); and aloe vera therapy group, n = 7 (aloe vera and I/R). Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were evaluated from lung and kidney tissues for biochemical investigations. As histopathological, hematoxylin and eosin and anti-iNOS were also examined. In biochemical investigations, SOD, CAT, and GPx levels of the Sham group were found to be lower compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). The aloe vera therapy group was not statistically different from control groups but significantly different compared with the Sham group. In the same way, the MDA levels of kidney and lung tissues were statistically significant in the aloe vera therapy group, compared to the Sham group. In the Sham group, the peribronchial and perialveolar edema were observed in lung parenchyma. Also, excess interstitial hemorrhage, leukocyte infiltration, and alveolar wall thickening were identified in ischemic groups. The histopathological changes were much lighter than in the aloe vera therapy group. In renal tissues, excess epithelial cell deterioration, tubular desqumination, and glomerular atrophy were observed in the Sham group. The histopathological changes were markedly reduced in the aloe vera therapy  group. In the kidney and lung tissue, the level of iNOS activity in the Sham group was significantly higher than in the control and aloe vera therapy group. This study indicated that aloe vera is protective against oxidative damage formed by I/R in distant organs like the lungs and kidneys.