Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Aloe polysaccharides, particularly acemannan, have been investigated for their potential antiviral and immunomodulatory properties. Several in vitro studies suggest that Aloe vera extracts and specific polysaccharides can inhibit the replication of herpes simplex virus (HSV), the causative agent of oral and genital herpes. For example, research published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology (1999, 68(1-3): 107-115) demonstrated that acemannan could reduce HSV-1 infectivity in cell cultures. Additionally, a few small clinical trials have explored the topical use of Aloe vera gel in the treatment of herpes lesions. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study (Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 1997, 8(2): 99-102) found that a 0.5% Aloe vera extract cream accelerated healing of genital herpes lesions compared to placebo.

Despite these promising results, the quality and scale of the evidence remain limited. Most human studies are small, short-term, and use topical formulations rather than isolated polysaccharides. There is a lack of large, rigorous randomized controlled trials specifically assessing purified Aloe polysaccharide for herpes. Thus, while there is some scientific support for the use of Aloe polysaccharides (mainly in topical forms) for herpes, the evidence is preliminary and modest, warranting a rating of 2 out of 5.

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