The Therapeutic Efficacy and Properties of Topical Aloe Vera in Thermal Burns
Juraiporn Somboonwong MD, M.Sc*, Naphatsanan Duansak MSc**
Affiliation : * Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University. ** Inter-Department of Physiology, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University
Aloe vera has been used as a popular herbal medicine since ancient times for many conditions including burns. Much evidence has reported the efficacy of topical Aloe vera gel in the treatment of thermal burns through its different pharmacological actions. This review article consists of pathophysiology of the thermal burns, the botany and chemical constituents of Aloe vera, and therapeutic properties of Aloe vera on thermal burns. The mechanisms that may underlie its action include: anti-inflammation, antimicrobials, wound healing promotion, and biological/immunological modulation.
Keywords : Herb, Thermal burns, Aloe vera, Wound healing
