Aloe Vera; A new treatment for atrophic vaginitis, A randomized double-blinded controlled trial.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Vaginal atrophy is of the most common problems during menopause with significant psychosocial and medical consequences. Estrogen as an approved therapy for vaginal atrophy can be associated with adverse effects and several contraindications in menopause patients. The aim is to compare the effect of Aloe Vera vaginal cream with commercially available estrogen vaginal cream for management of vaginal atrophy in menopause females. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a double-blinded randomized controlled trial on 60menopause female with complaints of vaginal atrophy symptoms. Subjects were randomly allocated in two groups of 30 patients, named as estrogen and Aloe Vera groups. Vaginal health index (VHI), maturity value (MV), vaginal cytologic smear, transvaginal sonography (TVS) and severity of symptoms related to vaginal atrophy were assessed before and after 6-weeks of vaginal cream administration. RESULTS: Comparison of MV before and after treatment revealed that superficial cells were significantly increased after administration of both vaginal cream (6.67 VS 54.33 in Aloe Vera group; 4.33 VS 59.67 in estrogen group). In addition, VHI (13.83 vs 20.13 in Aloe Vera group; 13.97 vs 19.93 in estrogen group) and symptoms of vaginal atrophy (3.63 vs 1.10 in Aloe Vera group; 3.90 vs 0.66 in estrogen groups) were also significantly improved after treatment in both groups. There was no significant difference between groups after treatment except for fluid volume with a superiority in Aloe Vera group (P-value = 0.004) CONCLUSION: Aloe Vera vaginal cream can be as effective as estrogen vaginal cream in the management of vaginal atrophy in menopause females.

The effects of pharmacological interventions, exercise, and dietary supplements on extra-cardiac radioactivity in myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography imaging.

Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) as an imaging modality plays a key role in the monitoring of patients with cardiovascular disease. MPI enables the assessment of cardiovascular disease, the effectiveness of therapy, and viable myocardial tissue. However, MPI suffers from some downfalls and limitations, which can influence its clinical applications. These limitations can arise from the patient's condition, equipment, or the actions of the technologist. In this review, we mainly focused on the different effective parameters on radioactivity uptake of organs including liver, intestines, stomach, and gall bladder and how they affect the quality of the acquired images in nuclear medicine. More importantly, we cover how different suggested medicines, foods and exercise alleviative this problem.

Tropolone alkaloids from Colchicum kurdicum (Bornm.) Stef. (Colchicaceae) as the potent novel antileishmanial compounds; purification, structure elucidation, antileishmanial activities and molecular docking studies.

Natural compounds played an important role for prevention and treatment of the disease as well as are the important compounds for the design of the new bioactive compounds. In this study, eight tropolone alkaloids were isolated from Colchicum kurdicum including colchicoside, 2-demethyl colchicine, 3-demethyl colchicine, demecolcine, colchifoline, N-deacetyl-N-formyl colchicine, colchicine and cornigerine by column and preparative thin layer chromatography. The chemical structures were identified by 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Moreover, the antileishmanial activity on Leishmania major, anti-inflammatory activity, iron chelating activity and toxicity studies including hemolytic activity, brine shrimp toxicity, cytotoxicity and acute toxicity and docking study of all isolated bioactive compounds were evaluated. As result, colchicoside and colchicine had potent leishmanicidal effects and N-deacetyl-N-formyl colchicine and cornigerine had the highest anti-inflammatory effects. All compounds had the significant iron chelating activity. According to toxicity studies, isolated compounds showed the low hemolytic activity and cytotoxicity, high LC50, LC90 and LD50. In the molecular docking study, colchicoside had the high dockscore. According to the study, with future studies all isolated compounds could be used for design the novel antileishmanial drugs.

Prevention of acute radiation-induced Proctitis by Aloe vera: a prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial in Pelvic Cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Acute radiation-induced proctitis (ARP) is the most common side effect following radiotherapy for malignant pelvic disease. This study evaluated the efficacy of Aloe vera ointment in prevention of ARP. METHODS: Forty-two patients receiving external-beam radiotherapy (RT) for pelvic malignancies were randomized to receive either Aloe vera 3% or placebo topical ointment during radiotherapy for 6 weeks. These patients were evaluated based on the severity (grade 0-4) of the following symptoms weekly: rectal bleeding, abdominal/rectal pain, diarrhea, or fecal urgency. RTOG acute toxicity criteria and psychosocial status of the patients were also recorded weekly. Lifestyle impact of the symptoms, and quantitative measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP), an indicator of systemic inflammation, were also measured. RESULTS: The results of present study demonstrated a significant preventive effect for Aloe vera in occurrence of symptom index for diarrhea (p < 0.001), rectal bleeding (p < 0.001), and fecal urgency (p = 0.001). The median lifestyle score improved significantly with Aloe vera during RT (p < 0.001). Intervention patients had a significant lower burden of systemic inflammation as the values for quantitative CRP decreased significantly over 6 weeks of follow-up (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: This study showed that Aloe vera topical ointment was effective in prevention of symptoms of ARP in patients undergoing RT for pelvic cancers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT201606042027N6. Registration date: 2016-09-04.

Preventive effect of purgative manna on neonatal jaundice: A double blind randomized controlled clinical trial.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cotoneaster nummularioides Pojark manna (Shir-e-Khesht) is popular in Persian medicine. Different effects of some Cotoneaster species manna include antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, and hepatoprotective effects, as well as bilirubin serum levels reduction. Cotoneaster species manna is used in many parts of Iran as a laxative and accelerates the passage of meconium. Neonatal jaundice has relatively costly and sometimes invasive therapeutic interventions, which its prevention from becoming severe cases can be a priority in neonatal medicine. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an herbal product (Purgative Manna, native to Iran and Asian countries) in preventing severe cases of jaundice and reducing total bilirubin levels in neonates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial included full-term babies. Four hundred and forty-five (445) eligible neonates were assigned to two groups using the block balanced randomization method; 222 neonates received the Purgative Manna product as drops, and 223 neonates received placebo drops. The neonates received a dose of 5 drops per kilogram of neonatal weight (divided into three doses per day) for three days. The treatment period was three days, and a 24-h (three times) examination was performed to measure the initial outcome of the trial (i.e., the total serum bilirubin level). The secondary outcomes of this trial were the need for hospitalization due to jaundice and/or phototherapy from 4 to 14 days after birth, the frequency of defecation within 24 h, and the triple complications of diarrhoea, dehydration symptoms, and abdominal colic. RESULTS: In this study, 220 neonates in the Purgative Manna product group and 222 neonates in the placebo group completed their interventions within the predicted period of the study. At the end of study, the total bilirubin level in the Purgative Manna treated group was significantly lower than that of the placebo group. The difference between the mean total bilirubin levels of the two groups was approximately 2.1 mg/dl on the third day after treatment, with an effect size of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.06-0.98). The relative risk for reducing the need for hospitalization or phototherapy in the group treated with Purgative Manna drops was 0.26, compared with the placebo group. The risk of occurrence of severe jaundice or phototherapy in the Purgative Manna group was 75% lower than that of the placebo group. The median frequency of defecation in the intervention group at three time intervals in the first, second and third days after treatment was 1-2 times more than that of the comparison group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Meanwhile, considering the fact that one in every eight neonates who used the product avoided having a severe and high-risk case of jaundice or the need for phototherapy intervention (even through an exchange transfusion), the use of Purgative Manna drops can be recommended; however, further study is necessary.

Zatariamultiflora ameliorates cisplatin-induced testicular damage via suppression of oxidative stress and apoptosis in a mice model.

OBJECTIVES: Cisplatin (CP), as an anti-neoplastic drug, causes testicular damage. Zataria multiflora Boiss (ZM), a medicinal plant, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ZM against CP-induced testicular toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, thirty-two adult male mice were randomly divided into four groups. The control group received normal saline with oral gavage during 7 days; ZM group received ZM (200 mg/kg) during 7 days by gavage; CP group received CP (10 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (IP) in the 5th day of study; ZM + CP group received ZM during 7 days and CP was injected in 5th day. Sperm parameters, biochemical (MDA, GSH, and PC) levels, serum testosterone levels, and histopathological and immunohistochemical assays of testis were examined one day after the last drug treatment. RESULTS: CP treatment caused significant damage via changed sperm parameters (sperm motility, count, viability rate, and abnormalities), increased oxidative stress (increased MDA and PC levels, and decreased GSH level), histological changes (degeneration, necrosis, arrest of spermatogenesis, congestion, and decrease in thickness of the germinal epithelium, diameter of seminiferous tubules, and Johnsen's Score), decreased serum testosterone level, and increased caspase-3 immunoreactivity. ZM preserved spermatogenesis and mitigated the toxic effects of CP on the testis tissue. In addition, treatment with ZM significantly reduced caspase-3 immunoreactivity. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that ZM as a potential antioxidant compound and due to free radicals scavenging activities has a protective effect against CP-induced testicular toxicity.

The effectiveness of Zataria extract mouthwash for the management of radiation-induced oral mucositis in patients: a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study.

OBJECTIVES: Oral mucositis (OM) is a common debilitating complication of chemoradiotherapy treatment of head and neck cancers. This randomized placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of Zataria multiflora (ZM) extract mouthwash in the prevention and reduction of OM related to local radiotherapy in the treatment of head and neck cancer patients. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with head and neck cancers, who underwent a conventional fractionated radiotherapy regimen, were entered into the study. Patients gargled the ZM mouthwash or a placebo before the beginning of the treatment three times daily and before each radiotherapy session. The assessment of OM was conducted according to WHO and Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale. RESULTS: The OM intensity trends in the ZM group during these weeks of treatment were detected 3.152 times less frequently than in the placebo group. A twofold decrease in the incidence of grades 3-4 OM was observed in the ZM group compared to the placebo. The use of the ZM mouthwash affected the incidence of grades 3-4 OM to a relative risk ratio of 0.432. The pain score was significantly decreased in the ZM group compared to the placebo group. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that ZM mouthwash effectively decreases the severity of OM and mouth pain in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of ZM mouthwash effectively decreases the severity of oral complications induced by ionizing radiation in patients during radiotherapy and resulted in high oral quality care. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

The effects of Arnebia euchroma ointment on second-degree burn wounds: a randomized clinical trial.

ETHNOBOTANICAL RELEVANCE: Burn injuries can cause detrimental long-term consequences and call for immediate management. Avicenna's Canon of Medicine, describing the use of Abu-Khalsa (Arnebia euchroma) (AE) as being effective for burn healing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the healing effects of AE ointment (AEO) on patients with a second-degree burn wound and compare its results with silver sulfadiazine cream (SSD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective, single-blind clinical trial, 45 patients with similar types of second-degree burns at two different sites of the body were randomly assigned to the two treatment groups. One burn wound site of the patient was treated with SSD and another similar burn wound site with AEO once a day until complete healing was achieved. Wound size and percentage of wound healing were evaluated at 15 days. Satisfaction, clinical adverse events such as pain, burning, warming, erythema, edema, infection, inflammation, and general wound area were assessed on a visual analogue scales, and 6-point scales. RESULTS: The healing time was significantly shorter in the site treated with AEO than SSD (13.9±5.3 vs. 17.5±6.9 days, respectively). The severity of pain and burning were reduced in the AEO site compared with SSD site at the time of dressing change, while the warming score was significantly higher in the AEO wound area. Side-effects were lower in the site treated with AEO. CONCLUSION: In this clinical study, we demonstrated that AEO has benefits over SSD in the treatment of second-degree burn wounds and wound healing and is a viable medication for the management of second-degree burns.

Natural Products for Management of Oral Mucositis Induced by Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy.

Oral mucositis is a common side effect of systemic chemotherapy and radiotherapy of head and neck in patients with cancer. Severe oral mucositis is painful and affects oral functions, including intake of food and medications and speech. Prevention of oral mucositis affects the life quality of patients. Recent studies have been focused on natural products to improve or reduce this complication. Many clinical trials have been performed to assess natural products for treatment of mucositis and their results are promising. The authors reviewed the evidence for natural products in the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis induced by radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Radiosensitization Effects of a Zataria multiflora Extract on Human Glioblastoma Cells.

BACKGROUND: Although radiotherapy is one of the most effective strategies in the treatment of cancers, it is associated with short and long term side effects on normal tissues. Zataria multiflora Boiss (Laminacea) (ZM) has several biological properties such as antioxidant and anti-inflammation activities.Here we investigated cell killing effects of a hydroalcoholic Zataria multiflora extract on cell death induced by ionizing radiation in a human glioblastoma cell line (A172) and human non-malignant fibroblasts (HFFF2) in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A172 and HFFF2 cells were treated with a hydroalcoholic extract of dried aerial parts of Zataria multiflora at different concentrations (25, 50, 100, 150 and 200 µg/ml) and then exposed to ionizing radiation (IR). Cell proliferation and DNA fragmentation were evaluated. Thymol content in the extract was analyzed and quantified by HPLC methods. RESULTS: A172 cell proliferation was significantly inhibited by ZM. The percentage cell survival was 91.8 ± 8.57 for cells treated with 200 µg/ml of ZM extract alone while it was 76.0 ± 4.27 and 66.2 ± 8.42 for cells treated with ZM and exposed to IR at doses of 3 Gy and 6Gy, respectively. Radiation-induced apoptosis in A172 cells was significantly increased following treatment with ZM at doses of 200 µg/ml. ZM extract did not exhibit any enhanced cell killing effects and apoptosis caused by IR on HFFF2 cells. CONCLUSIONS: These data show selective radiosensitization effects of ZM in A172 cells apparently due to increased radiation-induced apoptosis.

The effect of Terminalia chebula extract vs. silver sulfadiazine on burn wounds in rats.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ethanol extract of Terminalia chebula in the treatment of hot water-induced burn wounds and to compare the results with silver sulfadiazine (SSD) in rats. METHODS: Five groups of ten rats were burned with hot water. Animals were administrated with topical cream at control, normal saline, 5%, 10% T. chebula extracts and standard SSD creams. Several parameters were assessed, including wound area, visual inspection of wound, bacteriology assessment, percentage of wound contraction and histopathological examination. RESULTS: The average area of wound on 10th day was 11.2 ± 3.3, 11 ± 3.2, 8.5 ± 2.3, 9.5 ± 4.2 and 5.1 ± 2.2 cm(2) for SSD1%, base cream, normal saline, herbal extract 5% and 10%, respectively. T. chebula 10% cream exhibited lower wound size than SSD1% and control groups at 10th day post burn injury. On day 15, the percentage of wound contraction in T. chebula was 5% and 10% more than 18% and 53% in comparison to SSD1% group, respectively. Histopathological results exhibited well-formed horizontally oriented collagen fibers for appropriate tension. Strength of scar on burned tissue was better in T. chebula 5% and 10% as compared with control and SSD groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that T. chebula extract was capable of accelerating wound healing in rats by wound contraction, and had beneficial effects more than SSD 1% cream in the management of burn injury.

Radioprotective agents for the prevention of side effects induced by radioiodine-131 therapy.

Radioiodine 131 ((131)I) has been used worldwide for the ablation of remnant thyroidal tissue after surgery or as the first-line treatment for Graves' disease. Although the use of (131)I is becoming increasingly prevalent, there is evidence suggesting that this treatment is associated with side effects such as salivary gland dysfunction and an increased risk of leukemia. This article aims to review the potential use of radioprotective agents and the side effects induced by (131)I therapy. Several synthetic and natural compounds have been investigated in preclinical and clinical studies. The protective agents reduced the toxicity of (131)I, mainly in the salivary glands, and mitigated the genetic damage through different mechanisms. There are limited clinical studies evaluating the use of radioprotective agents in patients undergoing radioiodine therapy. However, lemon candies, lemon juice and sugarless chewing gum have been proposed to be beneficial for minimizing the side effects of radioiodine within the salivary glands.

Hesperidin inhibits cyclophosphamide-induced tumor growth delay in mice.

Hesperidin is a natural compound that has chemoprotective effects in tumor cell lines and protective effects against hematotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hesperidin on the antitumor effect of cyclophosphamide in tumor-bearing mice. Administration of hesperidin reduced the leukopenia induced by cyclophosphamide in normal mice. White blood cell counts were increased in mice treated with hesperidin at a dose 200 mg/kg prior to cyclophosphamide injection. This significant protective effect was observed at 4 and 7 days after cyclophosphamide injection. Coadministration of hesperidin with cyclophosphamide in colon carcinoma (CT-26)-bearing mice was found to significantly inhibit cyclophosphamide-induced tumor growth delay. Tumor-bearing mice treated with hesperidin had increased tumor development compared with control animals that did not receive any treatment. These results show that hesperidin interacts with cyclophosphamide to inhibit its antitumor effect. In this study, estrogen receptor was negative for the development of CT-26 tumor. These results imply that fruits containing hesperidin, such as citrus, might have side effects on the efficacy of cyclophosphamide in the treatment of patients with colon cancer.

Synthesis and evaluation of 2(3H)-thiazole thiones as tyrosinase inhibitors.

A series of 2(3H)-thiazole thiones 3-5 was synthesized and evaluated for tyrosinase inhibition and DPPH radical scavenging activities. Among them, 3-methyl-4-phenyl-2(3H)-thiazole thione (4a) showed good tyrosinase inhibitory activity, even better than that of the well-known tyrosinase inhibitor, namely, kojic acid. From the structure-activity point of view, although it was found that the phenolic hydroxyl group in prototype 3-5 might contribute to the scavenging activity against DPPH radicals, there was no correlation between the potency of tyrosinase inhibition and the presence of the phenolic moiety. The in silico ADME-Tox screening revealed that the drug-likeness and drug-score values of the most potent compound 4a were significantly higher than those of kojic acid.

The radioprotective effect of Zataria multiflora against genotoxicity induced by γ irradiation in human blood lymphocytes.

The radioprotective effect of hydroalcholic Zataria multiflora (Avishan-e shirazi) extract was investigated against genotoxicity induced by γ irradiation in human lymphocytes. Peripheral blood samples were collected from human volunteers and incubated with Z. multiflora extract at different concentrations (5, 10, and 50 µg/mL) for 1 hour. At each dose point, the whole blood was exposed in vitro to 150 cGy of cobalt-60 γ irradiation, and then the lymphocytes were cultured with mitogenic stimulation to determine number of the micronuclei in cytokinesis-blocked binucleated cells. The treatment of lymphocytes with extract showed a significant decrease in the incidence of micronuclei binucleated cells, compared with similarly irradiated lymphocytes without extract against γ irradiation. The maximum protection and decrease in frequency of micronuclei was observed at 50 µg/mL of Zataria extract by 32% reduction. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of extract showed that it contains high amounts of thymol. Zataria extract exhibited concentration-dependent radical-scavenging activity on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl free radicals. These data have an important application for the protection of human lymphocyte from the genetic damage and side-effects induced by γ irradiation in personnel exposed to radiation.

Protective effect of hawthorn extract against genotoxicity induced by methyl methanesulfonate in human lymphocytes.

The preventive effect of hawthorn (Crataegus microphylla) fruit extract against genotoxicity induced by methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) has been investigated in human cultured blood lymphocytes. Peripheral blood samples were collected from human volunteers at 0 (10 minutes before), and at 1 and 2 hours after a single oral ingestion of 1 g hawthorn powder extract. At each time point, the whole blood was treated in vitro with MMS (200 µmol) at 24 hours after cell culture, and then the lymphocytes were cultured with mitogenic stimulation to determine the micronuclei in cytokinesis-blocked binucleated cells. The lymphocytes treated with hawthorn and MMS to exhibit a significant decreasing in the incidence of micronucleated binucleated cells, as compared with similarly MMS-treated lymphocytes from blood samples collected at 0 hour. The maximum protection and decreasing in frequency of micronuclei (36%) was observed at 1 hour after ingestion of hawthorn extract. The high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that hawthorn contained chlorogenic acid, epicatechin and hyperoside. It is obvious that hawthorn, particularly flavonoids constituents with antioxidative activity, reduced the oxidative stress and genotoxicity induced by toxic compounds. This set of data may have an important application for the protection of human lymphocyte from the genetic damage and side effects induced by chemicals hazardous in people.

Effects of Aloe vera cream on posthemorrhoidectomy pain and wound healing: results of a randomized, blind, placebo-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Aloe vera is an herbal medicine, which has wound healing effects in burn injury. This study assessed the effects of Aloe vera cream in reducing postoperative pain, postdefection pain, and its promotion of wound healing after open hemorrhoidectomy. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted comparing the effects of a cream containing Aloe vera versus a placebo cream on posthemorrhoidectomy pain. The study preparations were applied by patients to the surgical site 3 times per day for 4 weeks after hemorrhoidectomy. Pain was assessed with a visual analog scale immediately postoperatively and at hours 12, 24, and 48 after surgery and at weeks 2 and 4. Wound healing was examined and evaluated at the end of 2 and 4 weeks. The use of analgesics was recorded. RESULTS: Forty-nine (49) patients were randomly assigned to receive aloe (n = 24) or placebo (n = 25). Patients in the topical aloe cream group had significantly less postoperative pain at hours 12, 24, and 48 hours and at 2 weeks. Aloe cream reduced the pain after defecation in 24 and 48 hours postsurgery (p < 0.001). Wound healing at the end of the second postoperative week was significantly greater in the aloe group compared with the placebo group (p < 0.001). Patients required fewer additional analgesics posthemorrhoidectomy (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Application of Aloe vera cream on the surgical site is effective in reducing postoperative pain both on resting and during defecation, healing time, and analgesic requirements in the patients compared with the placebo group.

Chemoprotective effects of Zataria multiflora against genotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide in mice bone marrow cells.

The preventive effective of Zataria multiflora (ZM) extract was investigated in mouse bone marrow cells against genotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide (CP). Mice were orally (gavaged) pretreated with solutions of ZM extract prepared at 3 different doses (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight) for 7 consecutive days. They were injected with CP (50 mg/kg body weight) on the seventh day of treatment and killed after 24 hours for the evaluation of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCEs) and the ratio of PCE/(PCE + NCE), where PCE refers to polychromatic erythrocyte, and NCE refers to normochromatic erythrocyte. All 3 doses of extract significantly reduced MnPCEs induced by CP (P < .0001). Zataria extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight reduced MnPCEs 7.8 fold and also completely normalized the PCE/ (PCE + NCE) ratio. Administration of ZM inhibited bone marrow suppression induced by CP. Zataria extract exhibited concentration-dependent antioxidant activity on 1, 1-diphenyl 2-picryl hydrazyl free radical and lipid peroxidation. It appeared that ZM with antioxidative activity reduced the oxidative stress and genotoxicity induced by CP in mouse bone marrow cells.

Effect of aloe cream versus silver sulfadiazine for healing burn wounds in rats.

The management of burn injury remains a problem and it is the major cause of death and disability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Aloe vera cream in the treatment of thermal burn wounds and to compare these results with silver sulfadiazine in rats. Animals were divided into four groups. Animals were administered topical cream (Aloe vera powdered gel 0.5% and silver sulfadiazine) at 24 h of burn injury induced by hot water. On special days, according to study protocol, wound size was determined and skin sample histopathology performed in animal groups administered topical therapies. On day 25, the mean wound size was 5.5, 4, 0.78 and 4.1 cm2 in control, base, aloe and silver group, respectively. The wound size was significantly smaller in aloe group as compared with other groups. Histologic comparison showed aloe to increase reepithelialization in burn wounds significantly as compared with other cream-treated wounds. The results of this study showed aloe cream to significantly increase reepithelialization in burn wounds as compared with silver sulfadiazine.

Aloe versus silver sulfadiazine creams for second-degree burns: a randomized controlled study.

PURPOSE: Burn injury is associated with a high incidence of death and disability; yet its management remains problematic and costly. We conducted this clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of aloe vera cream for partial thickness burn wounds and compare its results with those of silver sulfadiazine (SSD). METHODS: Thirty patients with similar types of second-degree burns at two sites on different parts of the body were included in this study. Each patient had one burn treated with topical SSD and one treated with aloe cream, randomly. RESULTS: The rate of re-epithelialization and healing of the partial thickness burns was significantly faster in the site treated with aloe than in the site treated with SSD (15.9 +/- 2 vs 18.73 +/- 2.65 days, respectively; P < 0.0001). The sites treated with aloe were completely healed in less than 16 days vs 19 days for the sites treated with SSD. CONCLUSION: These results clearly demonstrated the greater efficacy of aloe cream over SSD cream for treating second-degree burns.