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I believe that this is how all of the worlds forests will soon look like. The human race is polluting the air and there for the our air is getting worse and worse. We ruin the air by coal and oil mining. As well with biomass burning.

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I believe that Aloe Vera is the most influential chemical derived from an Aloe Vera plant because there is so many ways that it can be used. It has healing properties as in to treat a sunburn. Also, Aloe Vera can be used as a sunscreen to protect against the sun. It is also used in cosmetology and there's also Aloe Vera drinks. The plant has many vitamins, enzymes and minerals.

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Abstract

Aloe vera is a natural product that is now a day frequently used in the field of cosmetology. Though there are various indications for its use, controlled trials are needed to determine its real efficacy. The aloe vera plant, its properties, mechanism of action and clinical uses are briefly reviewed in this article.

Keywords: Aloe vera, health and beauty, skin

Introduction

The Aloe vera plant has been known and used for centuries for its health, beauty, medicinal and skin care properties. The name Aloe vera derives from the Arabic word "Alloeh" meaning "shining bitter substance," while "vera" in Latin means "true." 2000 years ago, the Greek scientists regarded Aloe vera as the universal panacea. The Egyptians called Aloe "the plant of immortality." Today, the Aloe vera plant has been used for various purposes in dermatology.

History

Aloe vera has been used for medicinal purposes in several cultures for millennia: Greece, Egypt, India, Mexico, Japan and China.1 Egyptian queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra used it as part of their regular beauty regimes. Alexander the Great, and Christopher Columbus used it to treat soldiers' wounds. The first reference to Aloe vera in English was a translation by John Goodyew in A.D. 1655 of Dioscorides' Medical treatise De Materia Medica.2 By the early 1800s, Aloe vera was in use as a laxative in the United States, but in the mid-1930s, a turning point occurred when it was successfully used to treat chronic and severe radiation dermatitis.2

Plant

The botanical name of Aloe vera is Aloe barbadensis miller. It belongs to Asphodelaceae (Liliaceae) family, and is a shrubby or arborescent, perennial, xerophytic, succulent, pea- green color plant. It grows mainly in the dry regions of Africa, Asia, Europe and America. In India, it is found in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Anatomy

The plant has triangular, fleshy leaves with serrated edges, yellow tubular flowers and fruits that contain numerous seeds. Each leaf is composed of three layers: 1) An inner clear gel that contains 99% water and rest is made of glucomannans, amino acids, lipids, sterols and vitamins. 2) The middle layer of latex which is the bitter yellow sap and contains anthraquinones and glycosides. 3) The outer thick layer of 15-20 cells called as rind which has protective function and synthesizes carbohydrates and proteins. Inside the rind are vascular bundles responsible for transportation of substances such as water (xylem) and starch (phloem).3

Active components with its properties: Aloe vera contains 75 potentially active constituents: vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids and amino acids.4⁻6

1. Sugars: It provides monosaccharides (glucose and fructose) and polysaccharides: (glucomannans/polymannose). These are derived from the mucilage layer of the plant and are known as mucopolysaccharides. The most prominent monosaccharide is mannose-6-phosphate, and the most common polysaccharides are called glucomannans [beta-(1,4)-acetylated mannan]. Acemannan, a prominent glucomannan has also been found. Recently, a glycoprotein with antiallergic properties, called alprogen and novel anti-inflammatory compound, C-glucosyl chromone, has been isolated from Aloe vera gel.7,8

2. Others: It provides 20 of the 22 human required amino acids and 7 of the 8 essential amino acids. It also contains salicylic acid that possesses anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Lignin, an inert substance, when included in topical preparations, enhances penetrative effect of the other ingredients into the skin. Saponins that are the soapy substances form about 3% of the gel and have cleansing and antiseptic properties.

Mechanism of actions

1. Anti-inflammatory action: Aloe vera inhibits the cyclooxygenase pathway and reduces prostaglandin E2 production from arachidonic acid. Recently, the novel anti-inflammatory compound called C-glucosyl chromone was isolated from gel extracts.8

2. Laxative effects: Anthraquinones present in latex are a potent laxative. It increases intestinal water content, stimulates mucus secretion and increases intestinal peristalsis.17

3. Moisturizing and anti-aging effect: Mucopolysaccharides help in binding moisture into the skin. Aloe stimulates fibroblast which produces the collagen and elastin fibers making the skin more elastic and less wrinkled. It also has cohesive effects on the superficial flaking epidermal cells by sticking them together, which softens the skin. The amino acids also soften hardened skin cells and zinc acts as an astringent to tighten pores. Its moisturizing effects has also been studied in treatment of dry skin associated with occupational exposure where aloe vera gel gloves improved the skin integrity, decreases appearance of fine wrinkle and decreases erythema.21 It also has anti-acne effect.

Clinical uses: The clinical use of aloe vera is supported mostly by anecdotal data. Though most of these uses are interesting, controlled trials are essential to determine its effectiveness in all the following diseases.22,23

A. Uses based on scientific evidence: These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven.

Conditions: Seborrheic dermatitis,24 psoriasis vulgaris,25,26 genital herpes,27,28 skin burns,5,29 diabetes (type 2),30 HIV infection,31 cancer prevention,32,33 ulcerative colitis34 wound healing (results of aloe on wound healing are mixed with some studies reporting positive results35 and others showing no benefit36 or potential worsening37,38 ), pressure ulcers,36 mucositis,39 radiation dermatitis,40 acne vulgaris,41 lichen planus,42 frostbite,43 aphthous stomatitis,44 and constipation.17

B. Uses based on tradition or theory: The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven.

Conditions: Alopecia, bacterial and fungal skin infections, chronic leg wounds, parasitic infections, systemic lupus erythematosus, arthritis and tic douloureux.

Side effects

Topical: It may cause redness, burning, stinging sensation and rarely generalized dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Allergic reactions are mostly due to anthraquinones, such as aloin and barbaloin. It is best to apply it to a small area first to test for possible allergic reaction.

Oral: Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, red urine, hepatitis, dependency or worsening of constipation. Prolonged use has been reported to increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Laxative effect may cause electrolyte imbalances (low potassium levels).

Contraindication: Contraindicated in cases of known allergy to plants in the Liliaceae family.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Oral aloe is not recommended during pregnancy due to theoretical stimulation of uterine contractions, and in breastfeeding mothers, it may sometime causes gastrointestinal distress in the nursing infant.

Interactions: Application of aloe to skin may increase the absorption of steroid creams such as hydrocortisone. It reduces the effectiveness and may increases the adverse effects of digoxin and digitoxin, due to its potassium lowering effect. Combined use of Aloe vera and furosemide may increase the risk of potassium depletion. It decreases the blood sugar levels and thus may interact with oral hypoglycemic drugs and insulin.

Thus, though Aloe vera has wide spectrum of the properties and uses, some of them could be myths and some of them could be real magic. In future, controlled studies are required to prove the effectiveness of Aloe vera under various conditions.

Footnotes

Source of Support: Nil

Conflict of Interest: Nil.

References

2. Davis RH. Aloe vera: A scientific approach. New York: Vantage Press; [ Google Scholar]

3. Tyler V. The honest herbal: A sensible guide to the use of herbs and related remedies. 3rd ed. Binghamton, New York: Pharmaceutical Products Press; 1993. [ Google Scholar]

6. Atherton P. The essential Aloe vera: The actions and the evidence. 2nd ed 1997. [ Google Scholar]

18. Sydiskis RJ, Owen DG, Lohr JL, Rosler KH, Blomster RN. Inactivation of enveloped viruses by anthraquinones extracted from plants. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1991;35:2463-6. [[ PMC free article] [ PubMed] Google Scholar]

Articles from Indian Journal of Dermatology are provided here courtesy of Wolters Kluwer -- Medknow Publications

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Aloe vera is a natural product that is now a day frequently used in the field of cosmetology. Though there are various indications for its use, controlled trials are needed to determine its real efficacy. The aloe vera plant, its properties, mechanism ...

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The website explains the third agricultural inventions. Also, at the bottom of the page, there is a video as well.

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Dr. Yosef Akhtman, CEO of Gamaya, a Swiss AgTech startup active in smart farming, will be a speaker at STIL, 3rd edition of the Innovation and Technology Exhibition, which will take place in Lausanne, Switzerland on 16th of March 2016. The technology fair STIL, which attracted more than 2200 visitors last year, allows to unite engineers, technology enthusiasts, and people simply eager to learn more on technological innovations. The conference will take place at the SwissTech Convention Center on the EPFL campus.

Dr. Yosef Akthman will provide insightful speech about the 3rd agricultural revolution and how we can turn industrial agriculture into sustainable by leveraging new technologies and innovation. To register to the speach please go here.

Agriculture forms the foundation of the human civilisation. It is a 7-trillion industry that employs 1.3 billion people and utilises 70% of all arable lands on the planet. In many ways, the history of the human kind has been determined by the succession of food production technologies. In particular, over the course of the last 10,000 years, humanity has experience a small number of critical technological advances that have effectively shifted the ecological niche occupied by our species. Today, we are leaving in a society that is fully dependent on unsustainable consumption of fossil fuels, soil and water in order to produce food. Our future is dependent on whether we will be able to leverage technology and innovation in order to dramatically improve the efficiency of our food production methodology in order to attain a state of equilibrium with our environment.

The video of the speech from event is available below.

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The 3rd agricultural revolution | Gamaya

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Dr. Yosef Akhtman, CEO of Gamaya, a Swiss AgTech startup active in smart farming, will be a speaker at STIL, 3rd edition of the Innovation and Technology Exhibition, which will take place in Lausanne, Switzerland on 16th of March 2016.

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I believe that the tundra is in danger. The reason i think that is because of the global warming. It has caused the ice to melt in the arctics.

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https://secure.caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/files/pdf/B%20987_9.PDF In pages 7-10, they describe what plants are native to Georgia. They also describe the characteristics of the plants that live in Ga.

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The reason I picked this video is because it is really easy to understand this video. Anyone who watches it will know what photosynthesis is by the end of the video. Also, the video helped me understand more about photosynthesis and how it all happens.

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Photosynthesis for Kids - How plants make food - Animation Science

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I chose this photo because the sun helps the plants and trees grow. The plants produce oxygen. Without oxygen the human race cannot survive.