INTRODUCTION:

The name Aloe comes from the Arabic word alloeh meaning a shining bitter substance^[1]. The botanical name of Aloe Vera is Aloe Barbadensis Miller. It belongs to the Liliaceae family, which has about 360 species. Aloe Vera is a cactus like plant that grows readily in hot and dry climate and currently, because of high demand, is cultivated in large quantities^[2,3]. Aloe vera has properties which has many medicinal uses. It has been observed through researchthat taking Aloe vera in food or drink has reduced the glucose level in the blood which has beenuseful in controlling diabetes.

Most of the people who suffered from diabetes consumed Aloevera mixed with yoghurt or in the form of herbal tea. It has also been used in anti aging and antiwrinkle creams and moisturizers. The moisturizer or the cream is preferred as it is not oily orsticky but dries up quickly as it is easily absorbed by the skin and does not have any type of odor.It can be applied to get relief from sunburn or other kind of burn as it reduces the pain and theinflammation and gives relief from the burning sensation and heals the wound very quickly.^[4]

Image of aloe vera:

Figure 1: Aloe vera

Five Unique benefits of Aloe vera to the body:

1. Penetration: Aloe has the ability to reach deepest body tissues some 7 layers deep

2. Antiseptic: Aloe has at least 6 antiseptic agents which kill bacteria, viruses and fungi

3. Stimulates cell growth: Aloe stimulates the birth of new healthy tissue

4. Settles nerves: Aloe has a clearing effect on the body’s nervous system

5. Cleanses: Aloe detoxifies and normalizes the body’s metabolism^[5].

Properties of Aloe vera:

Family: Liliaceae

Botanical Name (s): Aloe barbadensis, Aloe indica, Aloe barbados, Aloe vera

Popular Name (s): Aloe, Aloe Vera, Indian Alces, Kumari, Ghirita, Gawarpaltra, Barbados aloe, Curacao aloe and Lu hui etc.

DESCRIPTION:

It is a stemless or very short-stemmed plant growing to 80-100cm tall, spreading by offsets and root sprouts. The leaves are lanceolate, thick and fleshy, green to grey-green, with a serrated margin. The flowers are produced on a spike up to 90cm tall, each flower pendulous, with a yellow tubular corolla 2-3cm long. The tissue in the center of the aloe leaf contains a gel which yields aloe gel or Aloe vera gel^[6].

Plant description:

The plant has triangular, fleshy leaves with serrated edges, yellow tubular flowers and fruits that contain numerous seeds. Each leaf is composed of three layers.

1. An inner clear gel that contains 99% water and rest is made of glucomannans, amino acids, lipids, sterols and vitamins.

2. The middle layer of latex which is the bitter yellow sap and contains anthraquinones and glycosides.

3. The outer thick layer of 15-20 cells called as rind which has protective function and synthesizes carbohydrates and proteins. Inside the rind are vascular bundles responsible for transportation of substances such as water (xylem) and starch (phloem)^[7].

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF THE PLANT:

There are over 100 active biologic constituents found within aloe. The plant is a rich source of natural, health –promoting substances

1. Polysaccharides: Aloe gel is 99% of water with a pH of 4.5 and is a common ingredient in many non-prescription skin salves. The gel has an emollient polysaccharide, glucomannan. It is a good moisturizer, and is used in many cosmetics. Other poly saccharides such as arabinan, arabinorhamnogalactan, glactan, galactogalacturan, glucogalactomannan and glucuronic acid containing polysaccharides are isolated from the Aloe vera inner leaf gel part.

2. Anthraquinones/Anthrones: Aloe emodin, aloetic acid, anthranol, aloin A and B, isobarbaloin emodin ester of cinnamic acid are also found in Aloe vera.

3. Vitamins/Minerals: It provides vitamin C, A, E, B, B Carotene, Zinc, Calcium, Copper, Magnesium, Manganese and phosphates.

4. Enzymes: It contains alliase, alkaline phosphatase amylase catalase, lipase peroxidase and corboxy peptidase enzymes.

5. Amino acids: It provides 20 of the 22human required amino acids and 7 of the 8 essential amino acids.

6. Plant sterols: 4 plants steroids campestrol, cholesterol, bsitosterol and lupeol ^[8].

CHEMICAL CLASSIFICATION:

Figure 2: Chemical Classification

Chemical Constituents of Aloe Vera:

The main constituents of Aloe vera gel are mucopolysaccharides (glucomannans, polymannoses, about 10% of total solids), enzymes, anthranoids, lignin, saponins, vitamins, amino acids (almost 50% of the total amount consisting of 8 of the 10 essential amino acids) and minerals (quantities not given). Total solids are in the range of 1.3 to 2%, the rest being water Lawless et al.

1.Vitamins:

Aloe Vera Contains Numerous Vitamins: Vitamin A, C, and D (are crucial antioxidants that combat free radicals in the body). Vitamin B and choline are concerned with the production of energy, amino acid metabolism developing muscle mass. Vitamin B12 (folic acid) is responsible for the production of red blood cells Jalal et al.

2.Anthraquinones:

Different Types of Anthraquinones are Present in A. Vera Like: Aloin, Isobarbaloin, Anthracene, Emodin, Barbaloin, Anthranol, Aloetic acid, Aloe Emodin and Resistannol. They act as natural laxatives, painkillers and analgesics and they contain powerful antibacterial, antifungal and virucidal properties Mahor and Sharique ^[9].

3.Minerals:

A. Vera Contains the Following Minerals: Calcium (essential for proper bone and teeth density)-Manganese (a component of enzymes necessary for the activation of other enzymes)-Sodium (ensures that the body fluids do not become too acidic or too alkaline)-Copper (enables iron to work as oxygen carriers in the red blood cells)- Magnesium (used by nerves and muscle membranes to help conduct electrical impulses) -Potassium (regulates the acidic or alkaline levels of body fluid)-Zinc (contributes to the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats)-Chromium (necessary for the proper function of insulin, which in turn controls the sugar levels in the blood)-Iron (controls the transportation of oxygen around the body via the red blood cells Jalal et al.

4.Sugars:

Aloe Vera provides monosaccharides (Glucose and fructose) and polysaccharides (Glucomannans/polymannose). These are derived from the mucilage layer of the plant and are known as mucopolysacherides. The most common polysacherides are glucomannans (beta 1-4, acetylated mannan). Aglycoprotein with anti-allergic properties, called alprogen has been isolated from Aloe Vera gel Sonia et al.

5.Fatty Acids:

A. Vera Provides Four Plant Steroids: cholesterol, campesterol, beta-sisosterol and lupeol. All these have anti-inflammatory action and lupeol also possesses antiseptic and analgesic properties Sonia et al.

6.Enzymes:

Some the Enzymes in the A. Vera Are: peroxidase, alliase, catalase, lipase, cellulose, carboxypeptase, amylase and alkaline phosphatase. Enzymes help to breakdown food and assist in digestion. Some enzymes help to breakdown fats while others breakdown starches and sugars Jalal et al.

7.Hormones:

Auxins and gibberellins are help in wound healing and have an anti-inflammatory action Sonia et al.

8.Others:

A. vera provides 20 of 22 required and 7 essential amino acids. It also contains salicylic acid that possesses anti-inflammatory and anti- bacterial properties Sonia etal^[10].

Medicinal Uses:

Figure 3: Representing the medicinal utilities of Aloe vera

1.Antiulcer activity:

A. vera is an herbal remedy widely used for a variety of illnesses; A. vera leaf extracts have been promoted for digestion and are used in the treatment of peptic ulcer for cytoprotective action whereby A. vera gel expresses antibacterial properties against both susceptible and resistant H. pylori strains and acts as a novel effective natural agent for combination with antibiotics for the treatment of H. pylori gastric infection. One study demonstrated that newly formulated aloe- and myrrh-based gels proved to be effective in topical management of minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis and was superior in decreasing ulcer size, erythema, and exudation; myrrh resulted in more pain reduction in a randomized, doubleblind, vehicle-controlled study^[11].

2.Antiseptic:

The antiseptic property of Aloe vera is due to presence of six antiseptic agents namely lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenols and sulphur. These compounds have inhibitory action on fungi, bacteria and viruses. Though most of these uses are interesting con- trolled trials are essential to determine its effectiveness in all disease^[12].

3.Wound healing effects:

The aloe vera gel polysaccharide acemannan was shown to activate macrophages; an effect that improved wound healing in a rat model. A mannose-6-phosphate component of the gel has been credited with a wound healing effect^[13].

4.Anti-Tumor Effect:

An induction of glutathione S-transferase and an inhibition of the tumor-promoting effects of phorbol myristic acetate has been reported which suggest a possible benefit of using aloe gel in cancer chemoprevention Kim et al. It has been shown that lectins inhibit aminopyrine uptake by parietal cells, thus the ability of the extract to inhibit gastric acid output may be as a result of direct action on the acid producing cells Radha et al^[14].

5.Contraindication:

Contraindicated in cases of known allergy to the plant. Oral aloe is not recommended during pregnancy due to theoretical stimulation of uterine contractions, and in breastfeeding mothers, it may sometime causes gastrointestinal distress in the nursing infant Ulbricht etal.

6.Cancer:

Aloe vera juice enables the body to heal itself from cancer and also from the damage caused by radio and chemotherapy that destroys healthy immune cells crucial for the recovery. Aloe vera acts as radiation protectors and inhibits testicular damage from gamma radiation and reduces cancer. Aloe vera leaf contains anthraquinones, saccharides, vitamin E and C, zinc, enzymes, acetyl salicyclic and others. Acemannan is the major carbohydrate fraction obtained from Aloe vera leaf. This fraction promotes wound healing, has antiviral, anticancer and immune stimulation effect (Zhang and Tizard, 1996)^[15]. Compounds extracted from Aloe vera have been used asan immunostimulant that aids in fighting cancers in cats and dogs (King et al., 1995). Aloe vera emodin, an anthraquinone, has the ability to suppress or inhibit the growth of malignant cancer cells making it to have antineoplastic properties (Thomson, 2004).

Collection of aleo vera extract-

Figure 4: Aleo Vera Extract

Medicinal Uses of Aloe Vera:

1. Aloe vera plays an important role in maintaining the healthy functioning of the major organs, and preventing diseases.

2. Aloe vera releases pepsin, which aids digestion, soothes digestive tract irritations, colic pain and ulcers. It also heals heart burns. This has come down from the traditions of folk medicineof Europe, and proved in recent clinical trials in Japan.

3. Aloe vera acts as a general tonic, raises immunity and fights diseases. Research reveals its efficacy in conditions like HIV and cancer, especially leukemia, due to its ability to producewhite blood cells. Consequently, it can minimize the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

4. It is beneficial in kidney and liver problems, like jaundice.

5. Aloe vera also reduces blood sugar, and controls diabetes.

6. It reduces cholesterol and triglycerides, leading to a healthy heart, and preventing cardiac Problems.

7. Aloe vera reduces inflammation and infection of the eye and ear.

8. Finally, it provides energy, and acts as a restorative. Moreover, it is said to alleviate Depression.

Side effects of Aloe vera:

Topical:

It may cause redness, burning, stinging sensation and rarely generalized dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Allergic reactions are mostly due to anthraquinones, such as aloin and barbaloin. It is best to apply it to a small area first to test for possible allergic reaction Syed et al.

Oral:

Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, red urine, hepatitis, dependency or worsening of constipation Bottenberg et al.

Interactions:

Application of aloe to skin may increase the absorption of steroid creams such as hydrocortisone. It reduces the effectiveness and may increases the adverse effects of digoxin and digitoxin, due to its potassium lowering effect Ulbricht et al ^[16].

CONCLUSION:

The most famous member of the genus is Aloe Vera, known for its medicinal uses and applications. Though there are several common medical uses for Aloe Vera, the most frequent use of the plant is in the form of a topical gel. Gels made from Aloe are used to treat burns and minor scrapes. Aloe vera benefits range from soothing inflammation, pain relief, and a reduction in the likelihood of infection. Studies have also shown that regular use of an Aloe vera based gel will actually speed the healing process in minor wounds, and even severe burns. Aloe vera is undoubtedly, the nature’s gift to hu- manity for cosmetic, burn and medicinal application and it remains for us to introduce it to ourselves and thank the nature for its never-ending gift.

REFERANCE:

1. Mini Tiwari, Manish Upadhayay. The medicinal plant components and applications (Aloe vera). Journal of Medicinal Plant Studies 2018, 6(3) 89-95.

2. Pankaj K. Sahu, Deen Dayal Giri, Ritu Singh, Priyanka Pandey, Sharmistha Gupta, Atul Kumar Shrivastava, sentific Research Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Ajay Kumar, Kapil Dev Pandey Therapeutic and Medicinal Uses of Aloe vera: A Review 2013, 4, 1-12.

3. Shail Bala Sanghi. Aloe Vera: A Medicinal Herb. Internationl Journal of Research Granthaalayah. 2015, 3(11), 32-34.

4. K. P. Sampath Kumar, Debjit Bhowmik, Chiranjib, Biswajit Aloe vera: A Potential Herb and its Medicinal Importance J. Chem. Pharm. Res., 2010, 2(1): 21-29.

5. Karkala Manvitha, Bhushan Bidya Aloe vera: a wonder plant its history, cultivation and medicinal uses Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2014; 2 (5): 85-88

6. R. Rajeswari1, M. Umadevi1, C. Sharmila Rahale1, R. Pushpa1, S. Selvavenkadesh1, K. P. Sampath Kumar2, Debjit Bhowmik Aloe vera: The Miracle Plant Its Medicinal and Traditional Uses in India. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 2012, 1(4), 118-124.

7. K. P. Sampath Kumar, Debjit Bhowmik, Chiranjib, Biswajit Aloe vera: A Potential Herb and its Medicinal Importance. J. Chem. Pharm. Res., 2010, 2(1): 21-29.

8. Bhuvana K.B, Hema N.G, Rajesh T Patil. Review on Aloe vera. International Journal of Advanced Research (2014), Volume 2, Issue 3, 677-691.

9. Nuriye Akev, Ayşe Can, Nurhayat Sütlüpınar, Eda Çandöken1, Nurten Özsoy, Tuğba Yılmaz Özden, Refiye Yanardağ, Erdal Üzen. Twenty years of research on Aloe vera İstanbul Ecz. Fak. Derg./J. Fac. Pharm. Istanbul 45(2) 2015 pp.191-215.

10. Gajendra Mahor1 and Sharique A Ali. Recent update on the medicinal properties and use of Aloe vera in the treatment of various ailments. Pharmaceutical Communication Biosci. Biotech. Res. Comm. 9(2): 2016 273-288.

11. Gebremedhin Yohannes. Review on Medicinal Value of Aloe Vera in Veterinary Practice Gebremedhin Yohannes. Biomed J Sci & Tech Res 6(1)- 2018.BJSTR.4970-4975.

12. Urvashi Nandal and Raju Lal Bhardwaj. Aloe vera for human nutrition, health and cosmetic use -A review. International Research Journal of Plant Science. (ISSN: 2141-5447) Vol. 3(3) pp. 038-046, March, 2012.

13. Sonia Pareek, Anup Nagaraj, Prateek Sharma, Shravani Naidu, Asif Yousu. Aloe-Vera: A Herb With Medicinal Properties. IJOCR Jul - Sep 2013; Volume 1 Issue 1 47-50.

14. Shail Bala Sanghi. Aloe vera: A Medicinal Herb International Journal of Research Granthaalayah A Knowledge Repository. Vol.3 (Iss.11): November, 2015,32-34.

15. Pankaj K. Sahu, Deen Dayal Giri, Ritu Singh, Priyanka Pandey, Sharmistha Gupta, Atul Kumar Shrivastava, Ajay Kumar, Kapil Dev Pandey. Therapeutic and Medicinal Uses of Aloe vera: A Review. Pharmacology and Pharmacy, 2013, 4, -1-12.

16. Malik Itrat, Zamigar. Aloe vera: A Review of Its Clinical Effectiveness. International Research Journal of Pharmacy 2013, 4(8).75-79.

Received on 09.12.2019 Modified on 31.01.2020

Asian J. Res. Pharm. Sci. 2020; 10(1):26-30.

DOI: 10.5958/2231-5659.2020.00006.5