Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is a plant that belongs to Liliaceae family. The name Aloe derives from the Arabic word "Alloeh" meaning shining bitter substance while "vera" in Latin means true. It contains various minerals and vitamins. It has got various properties such as immunomodulatory, antiviral and antiinflammatory in nature. A. vera can play a significant role in dentistry in treatment of lichen planus, oral submucous fibrosis, recurrent aphthous stomatitis, alveolar osteitis, periodontitis, etc.
The human body requires 20 amino acids for good health to be maintained, and all but eight can be manufactured in the body. The others called essential amino acids need to be taken as food. Together they form the building blocks of proteins from which we manufacture and repair muscles.
Aloe vera provides 19 of the 20 required amino acids and seven of the eight essential ones. The missing amino acid is tryptophan, although Bill Coates, an American pharmacist and Aloe expert, claims it has this one too. The evidence is not conclusive yet, although providing seven out of the eight required is good going.
Enzymes
Aloe vera contains many enzymes, which can be divided into two groups, those that aid digestion and those that are anti-inflammatory. Of the ones that aid digestion some, like amylase, break down starch and sugar, while others, such as lipase, help break down fats.
Sugars
Aloe vera contains two sorts of sugars, monosaccharides, such as glucose and fructose, and long chain sugars called polysaccharides, the main one being a glucomannose often referred to as Acemannan.
Acemannan has been shown to have several actions:
- Immunomodulating properties – it helps to return immunity to normal by boosting the level of antibodies
- Antiviral – particularly against tumor producing viruses, such as feline leukemia
- Reduces secondary infections
- Increase the activity of T-lymphocytes by up to 50%
- Increase the activity of large white blood cells (macrophages) leading to increased wound healing.
Sterols
The plant sterols are important anti-inflammatory agents. Of the three ones, lupeol, acts as an antiseptic and analgesic agent.
Salicylic acid
Also found in A. vera, is metabolized in the body to an aspirin-like compound which, together with lupeol, provide some of its painkilling properties.
Bhat[9] et al. evaluated the clinical effects of subgingival application of A. vera gel in periodontal pockets of adult periodontitis patients after mechanical debridement. In this study, 15 subjects were evaluated for clinical parameters such as plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth at baseline, followed by scaling and root planning (SRP). Test site comprised of SRP, followed by intra-pocket placement of A. vera gel, which was compared with the control site in which only SRP was done, and clinical parameters were compared between the two sites at 1-month and 3 months from baseline. Results exhibited encouraging findings in clinical parameters of the role of A. vera gel as a drug for local delivery and it was concluded that subgingival administration of A. vera gel results in improvement of periodontal condition. A. vera gel can be used as a local drug delivery system in periodontal pockets.
Tooth gel
Aloe vera tooth gel is effective in controlling bacteria that causes cavities than other commercially available toothpaste. A. vera gel's ability to kill and remove harmful microorganisms is due to compounds called anthraquinones, which are antiinflammatory. A. vera gel does not contain the abrasives found in most toothpastes, hence less harsh on teeth and it is a better alternative for people with sensitive teeth.
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