Effect of Aloe (Aloe vera Linn.) on Healthy Adult Volunteers: Changes in Urinary Composition
Sukachart Kirdpon MD*, Wichit Kirdpon PhD**, Wanchai Airarat MSc***, Anothai Trevanich PhD****, Somsong Nanakorn PhD*****
Affiliation : * Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen ** Department of Radiology, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen *** Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen **** Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen ***** Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen
Objective : 1. To investigate the amount of citrate and tartrate in aloe gel, and in the urine of healthy normal
volunteers, before and after consuming fresh aloe gel. 2. To evaluate the changes in the chemical composition
of urine among subjects after taking aloe gel. 3. To determine the value of consuming aloe gel for prevention
of renal stone formation.
Designs: Experimental study; before and after experiment with no control group
Materials and Methods : Thirty one healthy male medical students between 18 and 23 years of age were enrolled
(with informed consent) in the clinical trial. Subjects ingested 100 g of fresh aloe gel twice a day for seven
consecutive days. The 24-hr urine was collected one day prior to taking the gel (Day 0), Days 2 and 5 of
consumption, and Day 8 (one day after completion). The authors determined the urine volume, osmolality,
potassium, sodium, phosphate, calcium, magnesium, uric acid, citrate, tartrate, oxalate, Permissible Incre-
ment in calcium (PI in calcium), Permissible Increment in oxalate (PI in oxalate), Concentration product
ratio of calcium phosphate (CPR of CaPO4) and the citrate per creatinine ratio.
Results : The citrate and tartrate concentration in 100 g of fresh aloe gel was 96.3 and 158.9 mg, respectively.
The urinary excretion of oxalate was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The PI in calcium was significantly
increased (p < 0.05), while the citrate excretion and PI in oxalate were consistently, albeit non-significantly,
increased. The mean CPR values of CaPO4 were decreased non-significantly. The other measurements were
unremarkable.
Conclusion : Fresh Aloe vera gel (100 g) contains 96.3 mg of citrate and 158.9 mg of tartrate. This is mid-range
for Thai fruits. Changes in chemical compositions of urine after aloe consumption shows its potential for
preventing kidney stone formation among adults.1
Keywords : Aloe vera , Adults, Oxalate, PI, Renal stone prevention
