J Neurogastroenterol Motil.  2018 Oct;24(4):528-535. 10.5056/jnm18077.

Aloe vera Is Effective and Safe in Short-term Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

• Hong SW
• Chun J
• Park S
• Lee HJ
• Im JP
• Kim JS

• KMID: 2422843
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5056/jnm18077

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Aloe vera (AV) in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
METHODS
We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases for studies dated between 1st January 1960 and 30th December 2017. Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) compared AV to placebo in patients with IBS. The primary outcome was standardized mean difference of the change in severity of IBS symptoms as measured by patient-rated scales. Secondary outcomes included response rate of IBS symptoms and adverse events. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed using Cochrane's Q and I² statistics.
RESULTS
Three RCTs with a total of 151 patients with IBS were included. The meta-analysis showed a significant difference for patients with AV compared to those with placebo regarding improvement in IBS symptom score (standardized mean difference, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.07-0.75; P = 0.020). Using intention-to-treat analysis, the AV patients showed significantly better response rates of IBS symptoms compared to placebo (pooled risk ratio, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.05-2.73; P = 0.030). No adverse events related with AV were found in included studies. There was no significant heterogeneity of effects across studies (P = 0.900; I² = 0%).
CONCLUSION
AV is effective and safe for the treatment of patients with IBS compared to placebo.

Keyword

Aloe; Irritable bowel syndrome; Meta-analysis; Review

MeSH Terms

Aloe*
Humans
Irritable Bowel Syndrome*
Odds Ratio
Population Characteristics
Weights and Measures