title: Effect of daily drinking of Aloe vera gel extract on plasma total antioxidant capacity and oral pathogenic bacteria in healthy volunteer: a short-term study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Aloe vera gel extract on plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and oral pathogenic bacteria in healthy volunteer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-three healthy volunteers were participated and interviewed for history of allergy, current systemic diseases and medications. Participants were received 250 mL of A. vera gel extract daily for 14 consecutive days. At days 0 and 15 of the experiment, blood samples were collected and analyzed for biochemical markers. The plasma TAC was evaluated by ferric reducing ability of plasma technique. The biochemical markers, including aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), serum albumin (ALB), serum globulin (GLB), total bilirubin (TB), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Cr) and creatinine clearance (CrCl) were measured. The antibacterial effect of A. vera gel extract against Lactobacillus spp. and Streptococcus mutans was also investigated. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test to compare between baseline and 14 days post-intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Neither allergy nor side effects of A. vera gel extract was detected. After 14 days of A. vera gel extract consumption, plasma TAC was significantly greater than that of baseline (p = 0.001). ALP, TB, TP and GLB were significantly increased (p < 0.05) which were still within normal range. AST, ALT, ALB, BUN, Cr and CrCl were not significantly different. A. vera gel extract significantly reduced the number of Lactobacillus spp. (p < 0.05), not S. mutans.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data revealed that A. vera gel extract significantly increased plasma TAC, and decreased the number of Lactobacillus spp. without any clinical side effects.
authors: Titipong
authors: T
authors: Prueksrisakul
authors: Soranun
authors: S
authors: Chantarangsu
authors: Pasutha
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1562-6626
authors: P
authors: Thunyakitpisal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C586178:Aloe vera gel; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D028321:Plant Preparations