Content area
Full Text
ABSTRACT:
Aloe vera is a plant that belongs to Liliaceae family. The name Aloe derives from the Arabic word "Alloeh" meaning shining bitter substance while "vera" in Latin means true.There are more than 300 species of the aloeplant, but the Aloe barbadensis species exhibits the best medicinal properties. Aloe vera contains various minerals and vitamins and has got various properties such as immunomodulatory, antiviral and anti inflammatory in nature. The Greek scientists regarded Aloe vera as the universal panacea. It has its uses in various systemic conditions like skin disorders, bowel disorders, diabetes and in hyperlipidemic patients. It has also been used in dentistry for its beneficial properties in various conditions like lichen planus, apthous stomatitis, oral submucous fibrosis, pulpotomy of primary teeth, prevention of dry sockets, obturation of primary teeth, disinfection of irrigation units, bleeding and painful gums, disinfection of gutta percha cones, burning mouth syndrome and in radiated head and neck cancer patients.
KEYWORDS: Aloe vera,dentistry,wound healing,Periodontitis, oral submucous fibrosis.
INTRODUCTION:
"Aloe Vera" - the term Aloe is derived from the Arabic word "alloeh" which means shiny and bitter while "Vera" from Latin word which means true.[1] Its history dates back to 1500 BC. It was reported that Alexander the great conquered the Island of Socotra in the Red Sea, has it had abundant Aloe fields so as to help his troops from healing of battle wounds. The Egyptians called Aloe Vera as the plant of immortality. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis), belongs to the Liliaceae family. It is a shrub which is perennial, xerophytic, arborescent succulent. It mainly grows in the dry areas of Africa, Asia, Europe, and America. In India it is scattered in the wild, along the southern coast including Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. [2]
Dr. C.E. Collins recognized its modern use first in radiation burns in the year 1934 [3]. At present, Aloe Vera is used in various oral diseases like gingivitis, denture sore mouth [4], herpetic stomatitis,[5] oral lichen planus,[6] minor recurrent aphthous ulcer,[7] leukoplakia, and oral submucous fibrosis[8,9]. This review will deal with the recent advances in the role of Aloe Vera in oral health.
COMPOSITION:
Aloe Vera is composed of about 75 potentially active constituents: vitamins,enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic...