Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) Gel for the Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Background: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is introduced as a result of lower esophageal sphincter weakness, which returns contents of the stomach to the esophagus. Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) gel is known as a healing agent for the treatment of internal and external ailments. Modern researches have confirmed potential therapeutic effects of A. vera gel for GERD, but there is no review study to evaluate the efficacy of A. vera gel. Objective: The aim of this review article was to answer this question "Does A. vera gel have efficacy in the management of GERD?" Methods: For preparing the manuscript, we used all accessible international databases, electronic resources (PubMed, Science Direct, Springer, Wiley and Google), and traditional books (Persian or English modern and traditional books), unpublished data (R reports, thesis and dissertation). Results: There are five clinical studies on the efficacy of A. vera gel syrup on patients with GERD. In all the studies, the patients suffering from GERD were treated with 10 ml A. vera gel syrup twice daily and the efficacy of treatment was compared with omeprazole or ranitidine (n=2), or the adjuvant potency of A. vera gel syrup with pantoprazole (n=1) or aluminum-magnesium hydroxide (MG) (n=1) was evaluated. In one clinical study, the efficacy of A. vera gel syrup was evaluated on clinical signs of GERD without any control group. According to the results of clinical studies, A. vera gel syrup insignificantly eliminated the GERD symptoms without any adverse effects, when compared with omeprazole or ranitidine. Conclusion: Due to the efficacy of A. vera gel syrup in GERD, understanding the precise mechanisms related to the efficacy of A. vera gel on GERD should be the subject of future studies.</P>