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Effects of Aloe vera on Burn Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

  • 2024-04-12
  • Journal of burn care & research : official publication of the American Burn Association 45(6)
    • Yu-Ning Huang
    • Kun-Chuan Chen
    • Jen-Hung Wang
    • Yun-Kuan Lin

Study Design

Type
Meta-Analysis
Population
patients with burns
Methods
Systematic search on PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL for RCTs; meta-analysis using random-effects model; Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (version 2); GRADE approach
Burn injuries cause severe pain, infection risks, psychological distress, financial burdens, and mortality, necessitating effective care. Aloe vera, a traditional burn remedy, shows wound-healing potential, but its analgesic effects and efficacy with varying burn severity are uncertain. This study aims to investigate A. vera's effect on wound healing, pain management, and infection prevention in patients with burns. A systematic search on PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL was performed on October 9, 2023, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The risk of bias was examined using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (version 2), and the meta-analysis was carried out using a random-effects model. The primary outcome was wound-healing time, with secondary outcomes examining pain severity and wound infection. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess the quality of evidence for each outcome. Nine RCTs were included in the current study, of which 6 provided data on the primary outcome. Aloe vera significantly reduced mean wound-healing time compared to other topicals (mean difference [MD] -3.76 days; 95% CI, -5.69 to -1.84). Additionally, the meta-analysis of the secondary outcomes found no significant differences in pain reduction (MD -0.76 points; 95% CI, -1.53 to 0.01) and wound infection risk (risk ratio 1.10; 95% CI, 0.34-3.59) between A. vera and control groups. In conclusion, A. vera expedites wound healing in patients with second-degree burns without increased infection risk compared to other antimicrobial agents. The analgesic effects on burn injuries remain uncertain.

Research Insights

  • Aloe Vera→Reduced Infection

    found no significant differences in ... wound infection risk (risk ratio 1.10; 95% CI, 0.34-3.59) between A. vera and control groups.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
  • Aloe Vera→Reduced Pain Severity

    the meta-analysis of the secondary outcomes found no significant differences in pain reduction (MD -0.76 points; 95% CI, -1.53 to 0.01)

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
  • Aloe Vera→Reduced Wound Healing Time

    Aloe vera significantly reduced mean wound-healing time compared to other topicals (mean difference [MD] -3.76 days; 95% CI, -5.69 to -1.84).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
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