Aloe vera extract alleviates neuropathic pain from sciatic nerve injury.
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Ethanolic extract of Aloe vera ameliorates sciatic nerve ligation induced neuropathic pain
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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Original source:
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Swetha Kanyadhara, Sujatha Dodoala, Sunitha Sampathi, Priyanka Punuru, Gopichand Chinta
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Ethanolic extract of Aloe vera ameliorates sciatic nerve ligation induced neuropathic pain
Year: 2014
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Neuropathic pain is a chronic condition resulting from lesions or diseases affecting the somatosensory system. It poses a significant therapeutic challenge due to the limitations of current treatments, which often yield inadequate relief and can trigger adverse side effects. Traditional remedies such as Aloe vera have been utilized for centuries in various medicinal practices, including Ayurvedic medicine, yet scientific validation of their efficacy, particularly in treating neuropathic pain, remains limited. This study seeks to explore the therapeutic potential of the ethanolic extract of Aloe vera (EEAV) in alleviating pain associated with sciatic nerve ligation (SNL) in a rat model.
Ameliorative Effects of Aloe Vera Extract
The results of this study demonstrate that EEAV significantly increases the nociceptive threshold in various pain models, including thermal and mechanical allodynia, indicating its analgesic properties. The biochemical analyses showed that treatment with EEAV reduced oxidative stress markers, including lipid peroxidation and serum nitrite levels, while enhancing serum protein and antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase and catalase. Histopathological examinations revealed that EEAV treatment led to a partial restoration of the damaged sciatic nerve structure, supporting the hypothesis that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Aloe vera, particularly due to its active components like acemannan, contribute to its therapeutic efficacy against neuropathic pain.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this study substantiates the analgesic effects of the ethanolic extract of Aloe vera in treating neuropathic pain induced by sciatic nerve ligation. The findings suggest that the beneficial effects of EEAV can be attributed to its capacity to modulate oxidative stress and inflammation, providing groundwork for further research into the mechanisms underlying its action. Future studies may enhance our understanding of Aloe vera's role in pain management and lead to the development of effective formulations for neuropathic pain therapy.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the main objective of the study on Aloe vera?
The study aimed to systematically evaluate the therapeutic potential of ethanolic extract of Aloe vera (EEAV) in alleviating neuropathic pain induced by sciatic nerve ligation in rats.
What methods were used to assess the effects of EEAV?
The study employed various nociceptive threshold tests, including thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. Biochemical parameters like serum nitrite, total protein, and antioxidant levels were also analyzed to confirm the effects of EEAV.
What were the key findings regarding EEAV's effects?
EEAV treatment significantly improved pain thresholds and reduced hyperalgesia and allodynia. It also led to decreased levels of serum nitrite, calcium, and myeloperoxidase, indicating a protective effect against nerve injury.
What conclusion can be drawn from the study's results?
The findings suggest that the antioxidant properties of EEAV, along with reduced neutrophil chemotaxis, contribute to its therapeutic effect on neuropathic pain, indicating its potential as a natural pain management alternative.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Aloe vera extract alleviates neuropathic pain from sciatic nerve injury.”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Water:
Water is a fundamental solvent in biological systems, essential for various physiological processes. In the context of pharmacology and toxicology, water facilitates the transport and distribution of drugs and nutrients within the body. In research studies, water is often used both as a solvent for extracts and as a medium in testing biological responses.
2) Activity:
Activity refers to the biological effects or actions of substances, particularly in relation to their therapeutic or medicinal properties. In pharmacology, the measurement of an extract's activity against diseases, such as neuropathic pain in the study on Aloe vera, is crucial for evaluating its efficacy and potential use in treatment protocols.
3) Pharmacology:
Pharmacology is the branch of medicine and biology concerned with the study of drug action. It involves understanding how drugs interact with biological systems and their therapeutic effects. The research on the ethanolic extract of Aloe vera detailed in the text highlights its potential applications within pharmacology, especially for pain management.
4) Toxicology:
Toxicology is the study of the adverse effects of substances on living organisms. Understanding toxicology is essential when evaluating the safety of herbal extracts like Aloe vera. Research must ensure that a treatment does not cause toxicity while providing therapeutic effects, which is crucial for patient safety in drug development.
5) Drug:
A drug is a chemical substance used to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease. In the context of the research, examining the pain-relief effects of the ethanolic extract of Aloe vera positions it as a candidate for being a natural drug, offering alternative therapies for neuropathic pain management.
6) Science (Scientific):
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe. The study of Aloe vera's effects on neuropathic pain exemplifies the intersection of science and herbal medicine, where empirical research validates traditional practices through methodical inquiry.
7) Post:
Post is a prefix indicating 'after' and often refers to the time following a particular event. In this case, 'post-SCNL' refers to the period after the sciatic nerve ligation was performed in the study. Evaluating effects post-surgery is essential to determine the efficacy of treatments over time.
8) Ghritakumari (Ghrtakumari, Ghrita-kumari):
Ghrtakumari is the Ayurvedic name for Aloe vera, emphasizing its cultural significance and traditional use in Indian medicine. The recognition of its historical context inspires modern scientific investigations into its medicinal properties, underscoring the integration of traditional knowledge with contemporary research to validate its therapeutic applications.
9) Perception:
Perception relates to the way individuals interpret stimuli, including pain sensations. Understanding perception is vital in neuropathic pain studies, as individual differences may affect how one experiences pain. Insights into perception can inform treatment approaches, tailoring therapies to enhance patient outcomes and managing pain more effectively.
10) Discussion:
Discussion in scientific literature is a section examining the implications of results, comparing findings to existing knowledge, and proposing further research paths. It allows researchers to evaluate their results within a broader context and reinforce the scientific discourse surrounding the efficacy and safety of treatments like Aloe vera extract.
11) Antibiotic (Antibacterial):
Antibiotic refers to substances that inhibit bacterial growth or kill bacteria. While Aloe vera is studied for many benefits, its potential antimicrobial properties could extend its therapeutic applications beyond pain relief, making it relevant in discussions of comprehensive treatments that address pain and infection simultaneously in patients.
12) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda is a traditional Indian system of medicine, emphasizing holistic healing and natural remedies. The inclusion of Aloe vera in Ayurvedic practices highlights its established history as a remedy for various ailments, providing a cultural framework for research into its pharmacological properties and potential modern applications in medicine.
13) Medicine:
Medicine is the field focused on diagnosing and treating illnesses. Aloe vera's potential as a therapeutic agent underlines the need for integrating traditional herbal medicines into modern medical practices, thus enriching the pharmacological landscape and expanding treatment options available to practitioners to address patient needs.
14) Quality:
Quality in the context of pharmaceutical research emphasizes the purity, efficacy, and safety of substances. Ensuring high-quality standards for extracts like Aloe vera is essential to valid scientific assessments. Rigorous testing and quality control influence the credibility and acceptance of herbal treatments in clinical practice.
15) Cancer:
Cancer refers to a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. The mention of Aloe vera in cancer treatment underscores its potential broader therapeutic usage. Research into its active compounds can lead to discoveries of new treatments, highlighting the plant's significance in both traditional and modern medicine.
16) Reason:
Reason in scientific inquiry refers to justifying hypotheses, conclusions, or methodologies based on evidence. In the study discussed, rational explanations for the therapeutic effects of Aloe vera on neuropathic pain establish its reliability as a natural treatment, contributing to the overall rationale for its clinical application.
17) Blood:
Blood is a vital fluid that circulates nutrients, gases, and waste products throughout the body. In pharmacological studies, examining blood parameters informs researchers about systemic effects and physiological responses to treatments. Studies on Aloe vera's impact on blood components, such as serum proteins and molecular markers, reveal underlying therapeutic mechanisms.
18) Diet:
Diet refers to the food and drink habits of an individual or population. In pharmacology, diet can influence drug metabolism and efficacy. Understanding dietary impacts is important when considering the administration of substances like Aloe vera, as nutritional intake may affect the extract's therapeutic potential and interactions in the body.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Aloe vera extract alleviates neuropathic pain from sciatic nerve injury.’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Aloe vera, Analgesic effect, Lipid peroxidation, Reduced glutathione, Ethanolic extract, Histopathological studies, Dose-dependent manner, Group comparison, Super-Oxide Dismutase, Female albino rats, Serum total protein, Calcium level, Tissue homogenate, Chronic constriction injury, Neuropathic pain, Thermal hyperalgesia, Mechanical allodynia, Myeloperoxidase activity, Thermal sensitivity, Sham operation.