Aloe Vera, a cactus-like plant belongs to Asphodelaceae (Liliaceae) family has been used for traditional medical purposes for thousands of years. Aloe Vera derives its name from the Arabic word “Alloeh” which means “shining bitter substance” because of the bitter liquid found in the leaves and Vera which means “true” in Latin. There are over 300 species of aloe, most of which are native to South Africa, Madagascar and Arabia. Aloe leaves can be separated into two basic products: the latex, a bitter yellow liquid beneath the epidermis of the leaf and the gel, a colorless and tasteless substance in the inner part of the leaf. Both of them have many biologically active components, mainly anthraquinones and polysaccharides (the most active is acemannan), which may act alone or in synergy. Application of Aloe vera gel is cosmetic-moisturizers, toothpastes and flavoring compounds or preservative of fresh products and in medicine of humans or animals. Aloe vera gel is an active ingredient in hundreds of skin lotions, sun blocks and cosmetics. Aloe vera seems to treat of wounds, burns, insect stings, and skin inflammation, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antimicrobial, anti-tumor, anti- skin protection, anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and which are very important for wound healing. Aloe Vera gel helps in activating new hair growth as it increases blood circulation to the scalp. It also provides essential minerals and vitamins.

Background: The aim of the study was to describe epidemiological aspects and clinical characteristics of these patients, as well as diagnostic work-up, comprehensive management and updated follow-up. Methods: In a 4-years’ period, 6 female and 4 male fetuses were diagnosed with NTD in Department of OBG at Victoria Hospital, BMCRI, Bangalore. Analyzed data were related to familiar and/or maternal risk factors (consanguinity, maternal preexisting and/or gestational diseases, exposure to teratogen/infectious agents, lack of preconception folic acid supplement), demographic (ethnicity/origin, residence) and clinical features (eventual use of assisted reproduction techniques, prenatal diagnosis, gestational age, fetal presentation, type of delivery, birth weight, preoperative imaging, antibiotics and analgesics use, description of the surgery intervention, length of hospital stay, comorbidities, complications), and follow-up. Results: Among 10 cases, 6 female and 4 male fetuses were diagnosed with NTD. All 10 fetuses had Anencephaly and other associated anomalies. The diagnosis was made by prenatal ultrasonography. Among ten mothers one was over-aged. Medical history revealed that only 2 mothers used folic acid (FA), -tablets containing 5 mg folic acid, once daily, beginning after being aware of the pregnancy- neither initiated preconceptionally, nor consumed regularly. The remaining 8 mothers did not use any supplements. No mothers used any kind of drugs during pregnancy, and 2 were diabetic. All patients had normal thyroid, liver and renal function tests. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed no abnormality.

The study was carried out to assess the effect of oral administration of Moringa oleifera seed extract following aspartame consumption on the intestinal wall. Twenty-seven (27) rats were used for this study. They were divided into nine groups. Group A, the control group were administered distilled water, Group B were administered 0.4 ml of Aspartame, Group C were administered 1.5 ml of Aspartame, Group D1 were administered 0.6 ml of aspartame for the first three weeks followed by 1.5 ml of ethanolic extract of ground moringa seed on the fourth week, Group D2 was administered 0.5 ml of aspartame for the first three week followed by 1.3 ml of n-Hexane extract of ground moringa seed on the fourth week, Group E1 were administered 1.3 ml of apartame for the first three weeks, followed by 2.5 ml of ethanolic extract of ground moringa seed on the fourth week, Group E2, were administered 1.5 ml of aspartame for the first three weeks followed by 3.0 ml of n-Hexane extract of ground moringa seed on the fourth week, Group F1 were administered 1.4 ml of aspartame and 2.8 ml of ethanolic extract of ground moringa seed from week one to week four. Group F2 were administered 1.3 ml of aspartame and 2.5 ml of n-Hexane extract of ground moringa seed from week one to week four. The experiment lasted for 28 days. The rats were weighed once a week. On the 28th day, the rats were anaesthetized via chloroform inhalation; the large intestine harvested and fixed in 10% buffered formalin, processed and stained with Harris Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E). Blood were harvested for analysis of Blood Glucose Level. Data were expressed as Mean ± standard error of the Mean (M±SEM) and subjected to one-way analysis of variance. Significant difference between mean was accessed by Student-New-Man-Keuls post hoc test. 95% level of significance (p < 0.05) was used for statistical analysis. Ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera seed extract could not protect the Large intestine from the toxic effect of aspartame while the n-Hexane extract of Moringa oleifera seed has a protective effect on the large intestine.