Aloe vera has been used for centuries as a medicine to soothe burns, but researchers at Texas A&M University are studying its potential to also promote wound-healing in the elderly. Texas A&M veterinary pathobiologist Ian Tizard is examining the components that make up aloe vera's clear jelly interior. Tizard has found that the sugar that makes up this gel can cut healing time by reducing inflammation, slowing down the breakdown of growth factors that regulate healing, and stimulating macrophages -- cells that destroy dead or dying tissue and trigger healing. Aloe vera holds the greatest potential benefit for the elderly, especially those suffering from bed sores, diabetes or blood supply problems to the legs and feet. "Wound-healing problems are classically problems of older people," he said. "Healthy, young people heal just fine, and we can't improve on that." Other research on the plant suggests it may lower cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation resulting from radiation therapy during cancer treatment, and increase the production of blood vessels. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has already licensed the use of aloe vera to treat cancer in dogs and cats. While aloe vera can be injected into animals as a treatment for cancer, its use in humans has been restricted to ointments and lotions that are applied to the skin. With one exception, Tizard said, nothing on the market can accelerate wound-healing faster than aloe vera. The only treatment that beats aloe vera are expensive growth factors, he said. Aloe vera also demonstrates an almost total lack of toxicity. "There doesn't seem to be a down side to aloe vera," he said. Tizard's research is funded by Carrington Laboratories in Irving, Texas.
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CONTACT: Mark Evans at (409) 845-4645 or <[email protected]>. Dr. Ian Tizard may be reached at (409) 845-4276.
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