Aloe Induced Toxicity: Phytochemistry and Pharmacodynamics, Toxicokinetics and Case Study

Toxicity is defined as “the capacity of a substance to produce injury to a living organism and toxicology as the study of the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms”. Acute toxicity and chronic toxicity can lead to life-threatening conditions; therefore the concern for toxicology studies has increased. Many concerns have been raised regarding the safety of herbal products and unwanted side effects, particularly hepatotoxicity, genotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, nephro-toxicity, have been reported for many herbal products. Aloe Vera is widely used, as an OTC drug, as a supplement, and in cosmetics. Various cases caused due to Aloe vera is studied, liver damage associated with Aloe vera ingestion, in a 57-year old female patient; acute hepatitis associated with Aloe Vera ingestion, in a patient; case of acute hepatitis associated with Aloe Vera ingestion, in a patient; death of 4 patients after they were injected with Aloe Vera injection to treat cancer.