The polysaccharide component of aloe vera, acemannan, possesses significant immune enhancing and antiviral activity. However there appears to be great variation in the amount of acemannan from one manufacturer to the next.(5)

Aloe Isolate is manufactured  by Carrington Laboratories, a leader in aloe vera research, using a special freeze drying process that produces a pharmaceutical grade product of standardized potency.

Aloe vera products, both for internal and external use, are widely used in the United States. Internal use of aloe vera is well accepted for its bowel regulating effect. Preliminary studies and anecdotal reports indicate a tonic and anti-ulcer effect on the gastrointestinal tract. It has also been shown to reduce blood sugar levels in type II diabetics.(5)

Ayervedic medicine considers aloe gel to be estrogenic, which may be why the plant was highly prized by Indian and Egyptian women. The word in Sanskrit means "goddess." Used daily for three months in combination with tumeric root or alone, aloe powder regulates liver function and counteracts symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.(10)

The immune enhancing and antiviral properties of aloe vera are attributed to its water soluble polysaccharide, acemannan. Human studies have shown that acemannan increases lymphocyte response to alloantigen by enhancing the monocyte release of interleukin-I.(1)

Adult bronchial asthmatic patients not dependent on corticosteroids responded positively to aloe vera treatment.(8) Acemannan also demonstrated significant antiviral activity against influenza virus, measles virus and herpes simplex type 1(HSV-1) by inhibiting their replication.(6)

Administration of aloe vera may benefit patients with type II diabetes by stimulating the synthesis and release of insulin. Patients in one study experienced a reduction from 273 to 151 mg/dl in mean glucose levels.(7) In another study, aloe reduced the blood glucose levels of diabetic mice by 40% over the control group.(7)

Aloe contains anthraquinone, a stimulant laxative which produces a soft to semifluid stool in 6-12 hours after ingestion.(5) The dried powder is considered one of the best herbal laxatives.(10) However, excessive use of stimulant laxatives is not recommended. Moderate use can help soothe the lining of the stomach and intestinal tract.

Anthraquinones also bind calcium in the urinary tract and significantly reduce the growth rate of urinary calcium crystals in lower-than-laxative doses. Aloe can be used to prevent stone formation and reduce the size of kidney stones.(11)

Although untested on human malignancies, acemannan has been approved for veterinary use in injectable form for fibrosarcomas and feline leukemia (FeLV), caused by a retrovirus as is AIDS. Over 70% of cats with FeLV die within 8 weeks of onset of clinical signs, yet acemannan has shown impressive results. After 6 injections of acemannan (2 mg/kg) over a six-week period, re-examination after 6 more weeks showed 71% of 44 cats were alive and in good health.(9) Researchers believe the mechanism to be related to increased secretion of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin, and interferon leading to increased initiation of immune attack.

Preliminary studies indicate the potential usefulness of aloe as an adjunct to current AIDS therapy (i.e., AZT).

Three studies conducted by H.R. McDaniel, Ph.D., et al., demonstrated that 500-800 mg. of acemannan per day in HIV-1 infected patients 1) raised CD8 levels and maintained CD4 levels; 2) significantly increased circulating monocytes/macrophages and improved phagocytic activity; 3) significantly improved Modified Walter Reed Clinical (MWR) scoring, absolute T-4, absolute T-8, and p24 core antigen levels.(2,3,4)

Researchers believe that acemannan may potentiate the antiviral drug azidothymidine (AZT), reducing the amount of AZT required by as much as 90%.(5)

WARNING:   This publication and the product contained herein have not been approved or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This publication, and the product contained herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The product relates to nutritional support only.

1. Womble, D., and Helderman, J.H. Enhancement of all-responsiveness of human lymphocytes by acemannan. Int. J. Immunopharmacol 10(8):967-74, 1988.

2. McDaniel, H.R., Ph.D., et al. CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte levels in acemannan (ACM)-treated HIV-1 infected longer-term survivors. Int. Conf. AIDS 9(1):438, 1993.

3. McDaniel, H.R., et al. An increase in circulating monocyte/macrophages (MM) is induced by oral acemannan (ACE-M) in HIV-1 patients. Am. J. Clin. Pathol. 94:516-17, 1990.

4. McDaniel, H.R., et al. Extended survival and prognostic criteria for acemannan(ACE-M) treated HIV-1 patients. Antiviral Res. 13(Suppl. 1):117, 1990.

5. Werbach, Melvyn R., M.D. and Murray, Michael T., N.D. Botanical Influences on Illness: A sourcebook of clinical research. Tarzana, CA: Third Line Press, 1994.

6. Kahlon, J.B., et al. In vitro evaluation of the synergistic antiviral effects of acemannan in combination with azidothymidine and acyclovir. Mol. Biother. 3:214-23, 1991.

7. Ghannam, N. The antidiabetic activity of aloes: Preliminary clinical and experimental observations. Hormone Res. 24:288-94., 1986.

8. Shida, T., et al. Effect of aloe extract on peripheral phagocytosis in adult bronchial asthma. Planta Med. 51:273-5, 1985.

9. Sheets, M.S., et al. Studies of the effect of acemannan on retrovirus infections: Clinical stabilization of feline leukemia virus-infected cats. Mol. Biother. 3(1):41-5, 1991.

10. Tierra, Michael, C.A., N.D. The Way of Herbs. New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc. 1990.

11. Murray, M., N.D. and Pizzorno, J., N.D., Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1991.

Product No. 875 Fill Size: 100 Capsules

Each capsule contains 30 mg. of freeze dried Aloe Vera Mucilaginous Polysaccharide, a functional component of aloe vera. If reconstituted with water, each capsule is the equivalent of one ounce of fresh, inner-leaf, aloe vera gel. A product of Carrington Laboratories, Irving, Texas.