Abstract

ALOE VERA PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES: REVIEW

Popat S. Kumbhar, Ajit B. Patil, Prajakta S. Khopade*, Abhinandan R. Patil, John I. Disouza

Abstract

Aloe vera (AV), a tropical plant belonging to family Liliaceae, explains its potential use against life saving ailments such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, heart diseases and cancer. It also find its wide applications as anti inflammatory, antiseptic, immunomodulation, cosmetic, and as nutritional supplement and hence used widely in cases of metabolic disorders, and skin related problems. The various chemical constituents such as the anthraquinones, amino acids, enzymes, harmones, Steroids, minerals, sugars, salicylic acid, saponins, vitamins present in aloe supply a rich source of properties for modulating and treating various local diseases and disorders. The article also encompasses the actual mechanism by which Aloe vera performs its varied roles. The active uses of Aloe such as in burns and incisions, anti diabetic, anti cancer, immunomodulation, antiarthritic, anti acne, were studied by using approapriate models in vivo. The processing of aloe gel is explained as a part of study for formulation development and marketing.

Keywords: Aloe vera, metabolic disorders, cancer, immunomodulation, invivo model studies, gel preparation.