2 Aloe Vera and Psoriasis Studies
Below are 2 Aloe Vera Psoriasis studies, which show almost contrary results of Aloe Vera psoriasis treatment vs. placebo.
Unfortunately, I could not find any information on the Aloe Vera concentration used in the 2nd study.
Possibly it was one of those commercial products with "Aloe Vera" on the label and with a VERY LOW concentration of Aloe Vera - too low to render any beneficial effects whatsoever.
Aloe Vera Psoriasis Study #1
- Year of the Study: 1996
- Published in: Tropical Medicine and International Health
- Study Enrolled: 60 people (36M/24F)
- Age of People: 18-50 years (mean 25.6)
- Study Duration: 4 weeks of treatment + 12 months of follow-up
- Psoriasis Type: Mild to Moderate Plaque Psoriasis
- PASI scores prior enrollment: 4.8-16.7 (mean 9.3)
- Duration of Psoriasis prior enrollment: 1-21 years (mean 8.5 years)
- Method of the application: self-administration of trial medication topically (without occlusion) at home 3 times daily for 5 consecutive days per week
- Type of Study: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Patients were randomized in 2 groups by 30 people:
- 1st group was provided with a pre-coded placebo tube;
- 2nd group was provided with a pre-coded 0.5% Aloe Vera extract.
The treatment was well tolerated by all the patients, with no adverse symptoms and no dropouts.
By the end of the study:
- Aloe Vera extract clinically cured psoriasis in 25 of 30 patients (83.3%).
- Placebo clinically cured psoriasis in 2 of 30 patients (6.6%).
Conclusion for the 1st study:
- Aloe Vera extract 0.5% in a moisturizing cream produced significantly better results than the placebo.
- Aloe Vera extract 0.5% in a moisturizing cream has not shown toxic or any other objective side-effects.
Therefore, Aloe Vera extract 0.5% in a moisturizing cream can be considered a safe and effective alternative psoriasis treatment.
Aloe Vera Psoriasis Study #2
- Year of the Study: 2005
- Published in: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
- Study Enrolled: 41 people
- Age of People: unknown
- Study Duration: 4 weeks of treatment + 2 months of follow-up
- Psoriasis Type: Stable Plaque Psoriasis
- PASI scores prior enrollment: unknown
- Duration of Psoriasis prior enrollment: unknown
- Method of the application: 2 daily applications of trial medication topically
- Type of Study: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled right/left comparison
Patients were randomized in 2 groups:
- 1st group was provided with a placebo;
- 2nd group was provided with a commercial, preserved Aloe Vera gel.
55% of the patients reported local side-effects, predominantly drying up of the skin on the areas, where the trial treatments were applied.
By the end of the study:
- Aloe Vera gel clinically cured psoriasis in 72.5% patients.
- Placebo clinically cured psoriasis in 82.5% patients.
Conclusion for the 2nd study:
- The effect of this commercial Aloe Vera gel on stable plaque psoriasis was modest and not better than placebo.
- Statistically Placebo has shown better results in psoriasis treatment than Aloe Vera gel.
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