Management Of Psoriasis With Aloe Vera Extract In A Hydrophilic Cream: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study
Syed TA; Ahmad SA; Holt AH; Ahmad SA; Ahmad SH; Afzal M
Department Of Clinical Physiology, MalmÖ University Hospital
Trop Med Int Health Vol 1, ISS 4, 1996, P505-9

The purpose of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of topical Aloe vera extract 0.5% in a hydrophilic cream to cure patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Sixty patients (36M/24F) aged 18-50 years (mean 25.6) with slight to moderate chronic plaque-type psoriasis and PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) scores between 4.8 and 16.7 (mean 9.3) were enrolled and randomized to two parallel groups. The mean duration of the disease prior to enrollment was 8.5 years (range 1-21). Patients were provided with a precoded 100g tube, placebo or active (with 0.5% Aloe vera extract), and they self-administered trial medication topically (without occlusion) at home 3 times daily for 5 consecutive days per week (maximum 4 weeks active treatment). Patients were examined on a weekly basis and those showing a progressive reduction of lesions, desquamation followed by decreased erythema, infiltration and lowered PASI score were considered healed. The study was scheduled for 16 weeks with 12 months of follow-up on a monthly basis. The treatment was well tolerated by all the patients, with no adverse drug-related symptoms and no dropouts. By the end of the study, the Aloe vera extract cream had cured 25/30 patients (83.3%) compared to the placebo cure rate of 2/30 (6.6%) (P < 0.001) resulting in significant clearing of the psoriatic plaques (328/396 (82.8%) vs placebo 28/366 (7.7%), P < 0.001) and a decreased PASI score to a mean of 2.2. The findings of this study suggest that topically applied Aloe vera extract 0.5% in a hydrophilic cream is more effective than placebo, and has not shown toxic or any other objective side-effects. Therefore, the regimen can be considered a safe and alternative treatment to cure patients suffering from psoriasis.

Antipruritic & Fundgicidal Effects Of Aloe

Drs. Ruth Sims and Eugene Zimmermann, two research Ph.D.’s studying the effects of an 80% Aloe vera solution for its anti-pruritic and fundgicidal effects against a number of common maladies such as sunburn, skin rashers, poison ivy, and pruritus ani and pruritus vulvae. An effective antipruritic stops itching and irritation, a fungicide as the name implies effectively kills fungus, the Aloe solution accomplished both tasks to maximum positive effect.

Dr. Jean Setterstrom tested Aloe against the same microorganisms. In that test, using the same criteria, Dr. Setterstrom found Aloe vera gel even more effective than those of the Sims/Zimmermann tests. In fact, the Aloe killed the same microbes in lower concentrations on an even shorter time scale (16 hourse versus 24 hours for the Sims/Zimmermann tests).

Dr. Setterstrom also tested Aloe against a strep bacteria strain called Streptococcus mutans. In her testings, Dr. Setterstrom allowed the Strep mutans to form a culture on the enamel then introduced the Aloe vera solution at a relatively low level of just 40%. Even at that level, after just a few hours, all the plaque formed by the Strep mutans had fallen to the bottom of the tubes – literally dropped off!

Dermabrasion-Loo-Punch-Excision Technique For Treatment Of Acne-Induced Osteoma Cutis
Fulton JE Jr
J Dermatol Surg Oncol 13(6):655-9 1987 Jun

Three patients with chronic osteoma cutis secondary to acne vulgaris were treated with the dermabrasion-Loo-punch-excision technique. Under regional nerve block with lidocaine-bipuvacaine (50:50) a uniform dermabrasion was performed across the entire face, including the hairline and 1 cm below the jawline. This exposed the foci of osteoma cutis. Then the appropriate sized Loo punch (usually the 2.0- or the 2.5-mm punch) was used to excise the bluish-gray miliary lesions. The majority of the foci were removed in one operation. Following excision, the lesions were closed with 7-0 prolene suture. To pre-vent crust formation postoperatively, Aloe-vera-soaked polyethylene oxide gel dressings (Vigilon) were changed twice daily following an ice water compress. Sutures were removed rapidly in 5 to 7 days to prevent the appearance of suture lines. Although one patient required an additional procedure, the cosmetic results were excellent. Only a few small residual blue “dot” lesions remained in these three cases.

Study Of Possible Pharmacological Actions Of Aloe Arborescens Miller On Mouse, Hamster & Human Skin
Yamamoto M; Sugiyama K; Yokota M; Maeda Y; Inaoka Y
Sch. Pharmaceutical Sci., Univ. Shizuoka
Japanese Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health 39 (5). 1993. 409-414

Aloenin is a major constituent of Aloe aborescens Miller which has been utilized in Japan as a folk remedy for burns, insect bites, and skin reaction. In the present study, the effects of aloenin on sebaceous gland size, hair growth and damaged skin were investigated. Aloenin significantly promoted hair growth in depilated mice, but did not affect sebaceous gland function in the hamster ear. Aloenin also had recuperative effects on tape-stripped human skin as determined from parameters such as the shape factor of corneocytes, thick abrasion, nuclear ghosts and cellular arrangment of corneocytes. Since aloenin is effective in healing damaged skin, it may be useful for the treatment of dermatological conditions in the future.