2. •Member of the lily family.
•240 species of Aloe .
•Succulent, perennial,
evergreen.
•Native to Africa, but is now
widespread.
•It is a bitter herb with a wide
range of medicinal properties.
•It contains over 75 compounds,
3. Known as the “lily of the
desert”.
Considered the “plant of
immortality” by many native
peoples.
Very long history of medical
usage…
2200 B.C.- Mentioned on
Sumerian clay tablets.
1550 B.C.- The Ebers Papyrus
states 12 recipes for mixing Aloe
with other agents to treat human
disorders.
Usually the whole leaf was
ground and mixed with another
medicinal agent
4.
First modern medical paper published in
1934.
Described how the whole leaf was
used to treat radiation dermatitis.
Many papers published in the 20th century
describing a wide range of medicinal
properties.
Reports have mainly focused on the
antidiabetic, anticancer, and
antimicrobial properties of the whole
leaf, gel, or juice of the plant.
Many species of Aloe have been studied.
5.
Vitamins
Mono and poly
saccharides, glucomannans
Anthraquinones
Most important: Aloin,
and Emodin
Cholesterol,
Campesterol, Sisosterol,
and Lupeol
Salicyclic acid
3% of Aloe Vera gel
Fatty Acids
Inert except when in
topical treatments
Saponins
Ca, Na, K, Mg, Mn, Cu,
Zn, Cr, and Se
Sugars
Lignins
Lipases, proteases, kinases
Minerals
Vitamin D, A, C, E and
B12
Enzymes
Aspirin-like
Amino Acids
20 amino acids
6.
Added because of known
rejuvenating action
Mode of Action:
Polysaccachrides act as
moisturizers
Stimulates the
fibroblasts to replicate
faster
Smoothes skin because
sticks epidermal cells
together which
normally flake
Interferes with
melanin deposit
production which lead
to “liver spots”
7.
Decrease in blood glucose
due to stimulation of
insulin secretion
Decrease in cholesterol,
triglycerides,
phospholipids, and free
fatty acids from increased
clearance and decreased
transporters
8.
50% gel leaf solution, complete inhibition
of Staphylococcus aureus
Due to phenolics
Efficacy of gel or leaf?
S. aureus inhibited by both
Other bacteria inhibited by
just leaf or gel
9.
Shows increased healing effects on 2nd degree
burns
Anti-inflammation and wound healing
promotion
Vessels return to normal size quicker than with
untreated burns
10.
When aloe is combined
with other antimicrobials, a wound heals
faster than with the antimicrobial alone.
Possibly due to its
moisturizing capability as
well.
11. Asian practice of
ingesting herbs to
support the immune
system
May have a direct
inhibitory effect on
microbes
Also, selectively
modulates cells of the
immune system
12. Gel and latex.
Gel- leaf pulp or
mucilage obtained from
the parenchymal tissue.
Latex- bitter, yellow
substance obtained from
pericyclic tubules just
beneath the outer skin
of the leaves. (otherwise
called ‘Aloe juice’)
These terms are often
confused by consumers.
Using a freshly cut leaf
is thought to be the
most effective treatment.
13. Dental Health and Hygiene
2.
Provides Rapid Soothing
3.
Aids in Healthy Digestion
4.
Immune Support and Function
Regulates Weight and Energy Levels
6.
Collagen and Elastin Repair
7.
Daily Dose of Minerals
8.
Daily Dose of Vitamins
9.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
10. Essential Amino Acids
1.
5.
Vitamin A is antioxidant
Vitamin B12 very rare in plants and so this is very important for vegetarians
Enzymes: when taken orally help with digestion by breaking down sugars and fats, one in particular, Bradykinase, reduces inflammation when applied topically to skin
Minerals: many needed for proper functioning of various enzyme systems in metabolic pathways
Sugars: come from mucilage layer of plant, help enhance the immune system and help to detoxify, some form a barrier in gut to prevent absorption of unwanted materials, gluco-mannans: not broken down in gut and appear in blood stream in same form where they are able to help regulate immune system, topically the sugars are main moisturisers
Anthraquinones: there are 12 of these phenolics, found in the sap, aid in absorption in GI tract, have anti-microbial, anti-viral and pain killing activity
Lignins: gives aloe a penetrating effect when topical so can be absorbed through skin
Saponins: capable of cleansing and have antiseptic properties, also antimicrobial activity
Fatty Acids: involved in anti-inflammatory
Amino acids: 20 out of 22 amino acids including 7 of the 8 essential amino acids the body cannot synthesize
Fibroblasts are what produce collagen and elastin fibers so skin becomes more elastic and less wrinkled
Also can help remove already establish liver spots\\
The comparative antimicrobial activities of the gel and leaf of Aloe vera were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Trichophyton mentagraphytes, T. schoeleinii, Microsporium canis and Candida albicans.
Ethanol was used for the extraction of the leaf after obtaining the gel from it.
Antimicrobial effect was measured by the appearance of zones of inhibition. Antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that both the gel and the leaf inhibited the growth of S. aureus ( 18.0 and 4.0 mm, respectively). Only the gel inhibited the growth of T. mentagrophytes ( 20.0 mm), while the leaf possesses inhibitory effects on both P. aeruginosa and C. albicans.
The results of this study tend to give credence to the popular use of both Aloe vera gel and leaf.
* Throughout test, the vessels were more dilated and had increased postcapillary venular permeability
Full-thickness excised wounds were created on the dorsum of Sprague-Dawley rats under anaesthesia. The wounds were treated with topical agents three times daily for fourteen days, then observed until healed.
Used, saline contol, placebo (aqueous cream) control, silver sulphadiazine (SSD) cream 1%, SSD 0.5%, SSD 1% with Aloe vera, SSD 1% with nystatin, nystatin.
Wound healing was delayed by saline and SSD.
Nystatin and Aloe vera, when added to SSD, reversed that effect.
These data suggest that a dry wound (saline) heals slowly. Infection control without delay of wound healing is most appealing and clinical trials are planned.
The current practice of ingesting phytochemicals to support the immune system or to fight infections is based on centuries-old tradition.
While it may have a direct inhibitory effect on microbial organisms,
It also selectively modulates cells of the immune system.
They will study the influence on immune cells as well as microbes to provide useful insights to the development of potentially useful new pharmacological agents.