Aloe vera in treatment of refractory irritable bowel syndrome: Trial on Iranian patients

| August 2013 | 732 surveyed symptoms of the patients one by one based on self-rated scales; however, in most previous studies, patients were evaluated by quality of life questionnaires, which are nor specific to IBS, and does not show the distinct impact of Aloe vera on patients complaints. To our knowledge, it is the first study using self‐rated questionnaires that shows Aloe vera can reduce pain/discomfort of patients with IBS. In a previous study, Odes and Madar[3] failed to find any association between Aloe vera use and pain reduction in patients complaining constipation. Moreover, Hutchings et al.[4] and Davis et al.[5] also found no beneficial effect for Aloe vera on the IBS symptoms. In conclusion, Aloe vera can reduce abdominal pain/discomfort as well as flatulence in patients with constipation predominated IBS while it is unable to improve urgency and frequency as well as consistency of stool in these patients. Further, placebo-controlled studies with larger patient population are needed to confirm our results.