2. INTRODUCTION
BOTONICAL NAME
ALOE VERA, ALOE BARBADENSIS, ALOE FEROX, ALOE PERRYI.
FAMILY
LILIACEAE
COMMON NAME
ALOE, KAWAR, GANDAL ETC.
PART USED
SOLID RESIDUE (DRIED JUICE)OBTAINED BY EVAPORATING THE LIQUID
WHICH DRAINS FROM THE TRANSVERSELY CUT LEAVES OF VARIOUS
SPECIES OF ALOE.
GEOGRAPHICAL ORIGN
INDIGENOUS TO EAST AND SOUTH AFRICA, WEST INDIES AND
TROPICAL COUNTRIES, COUNTRIES BORDERING ON THE
MEDITERRANEAN.
3. MACROSCOPIC CHARACTERISTICS
Succulent plant
Perennial plant
Strong and fibrous roots
Numerous, Narrow, Thick and fleshy leaves, proceeding from the
upper part of the root
Strongly cuticularized and usually prickly at the margins.
4. CULTIVATION AND COLLECTION
Prefer light(Sandy), medium(Loamy) soils.
Well-drained soil, Can grow in nutritionally poor soil or can tolerate
drought (Xerophytic plant).
Prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
Can not grow in shade.
Seeds are sown in the Spring in a warm green house.
The seed usually germinates in 1-6 months at 16°C.
Seedlings transferred to pots containing well drained soil, allowed to
grow in sunny part for atleast their first two winters.
5. CULTIVATION AND COLLECTION
The offsets will be available, usually in Spring.
Young offsets are planted in soil after the rainy season in rows
situated at a distance of 60 cm.
Leaves are collected in the second year.
The leaves are cut near the base, kept inside of Kerosene tins and
taken them to a central place for the preparation of Aloe. [1]
6. EXTRACTION
To achieve crude gel, leaves were subjected to filleting and grinding
process and purified using hot treatment method and enzymatic
treatment method.
The study also reveals that filtration with activated charcoal and Hyflo
supercelR, gives clear appearance to the gel.
Gel was analyzed by colorimetric method for estimation of
polysaccharide using Congo red as complexing agent.
The addition of pectolytic enzyme Pectinase yields Aloe vera gel with
45% more polysaccharide content than gel obtained by simple heat
treatment. [3]
7. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS &
THEIR ACTIVITY
Amino acid Basic building block of proteins in the body &
mucle tissues
Anthraquinones Analgesic, Antibacterial
Enzymes Antifungal & Antiviral activity but toxic at
high concentration.
Hormones Wound healing & Anti-Inflammatory
Minerals Essential for good health
Salicyclic acid Analgesic
Saponins Cleaning & Antiseptic
Steroids Anti-inflammatory, Antiseptic & Analgesic
Sugars Antiviral, Immune modulating
Vitamins Antioxiant, Neutralises free radicals [2]
8. MEDICINAL USES
Cosmetic & Skin Protection Application
Antiseptic
Anti Diabetic
Anticancer Properties
Oxidative Stress
Relieves Itching Aids Healing
relieves joint and muscle pain
Relief in Liver Infections
Stabilizes blood sugar and reduces cholesterol in diabetics [1] [2]
9. UNIQUE BENEFITS OF ALOE
Penetration – aloe has the ability to reach deepest body tissues some
7 layers deep
Antiseptic – aloe has at least 6 antiseptic agents which kill bacteria,
viruses and fungi
Stimulates cell growth – aloe stimulates the birth of new healthy
tissue
Settles nerves – aloe has a clearing effect on the body’s nervous
system
Cleanses – aloe detoxifies and normalizes the body’s metabolism [1]
10. ADVERSE REACTIONS
Abdominal spasms & pain after every single dose
Thin, Watery stools
Chronic abuse of anthraquinone stimulant laxative can lead to:
1. Hepatitis and Electrolyte disturbances (hypokalaemia, hypocalcaemia),
2. Metabolic acidosis, 3. Malabsorption,
4. Weight loss, 5. Albuminuria,
6. Haematuria
Polysaccharides which increase the insulin level and show hypoglycemic
properties.
Melanotic pigmentation of the colonic mucosa (pseudomelanosis coli) has
been observed in individuals taking anthraquinone laxatives for extended
time periods. [2]