Hepatoprotective effect
Isolated phytosterols, namely lophenol and cycloartanol, have
the ability to induce the downregulation of fatty acid synthesis and
a tendency for upregulation of fatty acid oxidation in the liver,
which favors the reduction in intra-abdominal fat and improvement
of hyperlipidemia. Further, addition to sterol regulatory
element-binding transcription factor 1/peroxisome proliferatoractivated
receptor (PPAR)-a ratio was decreased; metabolic
syndrome-related disorders were improved and liver steatosis in
Aloe-sterol-treated Zucker diabetic fatty rats.56 Aloe formulas also
suppress obesity-induced inflammatory responses by reducing
levels of the proinflammatory cytokines, PPARg/liver X receptor a,
and 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1, and enhance antiinflammatory
cytokines in white adipose tissue and liver. The
beneficial effects of Aloe formula with respect to obesity-induced
insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis have been associated with
its action on PPARg/liver X receptor a.
50 Saito et al showed that
A. vera gel extract prevents ethanol-induced fatty liver by suppressing
mRNA expression of lipogenic genes in the liver. The
combination of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and A. vera gel
have a therapeutic potential to decrease cholesterol levels and the
risk of cardiovascular diseases.