A Randomised, Cross-Over, Placebo-Controlled Study of Aloe vera in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Effects on Patient Quality of Life

Abstract

Background. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, difficult to treat condition. The efficacy of Aloe vera in treating IBS symptoms is not yet proven. The purpose of this study was to determine if Aloe vera is effective in improving quality of life. Methods. A multicentre, randomised, double-blind, cross-over placebo controlled study design. Patients were randomised to Aloe vera, wash-out, placebo or placebo, washout, Aloe vera. Each preparation (60 mL) was taken orally twice a day. Patient quality of life was measured using the Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Score, Irritable Bowel Syndrome Quality of Life, EuroQol and the Short-Form-12 at baseline and treatment periods 1 and 2. Results. A total of 110 patients were randomised, but only 47 completed all questionnaires and both study arms. Statistical analysis showed no difference between the placebo and Aloe vera treatment in quality of life. Discussion. This study was unable to show that Aloe vera was superior to placebo in improving quality of life. Drop outs and other confounding factors may have impacted on the power of the study to detect a clinically important difference. Conclusion. This study failed to find Aloe vera superior to placebo in improving quality of life proven Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients.

Aloe vera Is Effective and Safe in Short-term Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…Finally, 3 prospective RCTs were included in the meta-analysis after excluding a single-arm study. [6][7][8] Because the numeric outcomes could not be extracted from 1 study included in this meta-analysis, we collected additional unpublished data from the corresponding author. 7…”

“…Data from the IBS symptom scores before and after treatments were retrieved on different scales from the included RCTs. As in the study by Hutching et al, 7 unreported data were included in this meta-analysis. Moreover, data associated with the second treatment period were excluded from this meta-analysis because of concerns about the carry-over effect.…”

“…5 However, the efficacy of AV has not been fully demonstrated in the patients with IBS despite several randomized controlled trials (RCTs). [6][7][8] The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of AV in patients with IBS compared to placebo.…”

The Efficacy and Safety of 4 Natural Products for the Management of IBS

“…This improvement, though not statistically significant, continued for up to 2 months posttreatment. 47 In 2011, Hutchings et al 48 found that the consumption of 60 mL of Aloe vera juice twice daily for 5 months did not significantly improve QoL and general symptom scores compared with placebo. Both of these studies present multiple weaknesses including small sample sizes, large patient withdrawal because of increased symptoms with Aloe vera ingestion, loss at follow-up, and short duration.…”

Antioxidant Supplements and Gastrointestinal Diseases: A Critical Appraisal

“…The following antioxidants have also been examined, but there is insufficient evidence concerning their benefits: Aloe vera [86][87][88][89] Andrographis paniculata [90,91] , bilberry [92,93] , Capsicum [95][96][97] , carnosine [98] , ferrous fumarate [99] , green tea [100] , kiwifruit [101] , mastic gum [102] , N-acetyl cysteine [103] , oxpentifylline [104] , pomegranate [106] , psyllium [107,108] , Pycnogenol [109] , resveratrol (red wine) [110] , superoxide dismutase [11,111] , and tormentil [112] ( Table 1 ).…”