Volume 5, Issue 3, March 2015 ISSN: 2277 128X International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Software Engineering Research Paper Available online at: www.ijarcsse.com Special Issue: E-Technologies in Anthropology Conference Held at Bon Secours College for Women, India “The Plant of Immortality” Aloe Vera Its Therapeutic and Medicinal Uses J. Revathy Assistant Professor Bonsecours College for Women Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India Abstract: Aloe vera is the oldest medicinal plant ever known and the most applied medicinal plant Worldwide. The plant Aloe vera is used in Ayurvedic, Homoeopathic and Allopathic streams of medicine, and not only tribal community but also most of the people for food and medicine. The plant leaves contains numerous minerals, enzymes, amino acids, natural sugars and other bioactive compounds with emollient, purgative, antimicrobial, anti inflammatory, anti-oxidant, aphrodisiac, anti-helmenthic, antifungal, antiseptic and cosmetic values for health care. This plant has potential to cure sunburns, burns and minor cuts, and even skin cancer. Aloe vera is a useful source of vitamins. Aloe vera Gel contains a large range of vitamins, even vitamin B12, Vitamin A, contains B-Group vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and folic acid. Aloe vera Gel contains important ingredients including 19 of the 20 amino acids needed by the human body. Aloe is a powerful detoxifier, antiseptic and tonic for the nervous system. It also has immune-boosting and anti-viral properties. Research has proven that adding Aloe vera to one’s diet improves digestion and as a general health tonic. The external use in cosmetic primarily acts as skin healer and prevents injury of epithelial tissues, cures acne and gives a youthful glow to skin, also acts as extremely powerful laxative. Keywords: Aloe vera, Nervous System, Immune-Boosting, Anti-Viral, Antimicrobial Properties, Therapeutic, Medicinal Uses, Cosmetic Application, Skin Healer. I. INTRODUCTION Plant extracts represent a continuous effort to find new compound against pathogens. Approximately 20% of the plants found in the world have been submitted to pharmacological or biological test, and a substantial number of new antibiotics introduced on the market are obtained from natural or semi synthetic resources [1]. The genus Aloe belonging to family Alliaceae is a succulent herb of 80 - 100 cm in height which matures in 4 - 6 years and survives for nearly 50 years under favorable conditions. Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. syn. Aloe barbadensis Miller is most biologically active among 400 species [2-4]. According to World Health Organisation, medicinal plants would be the best source for obtaining a variety of drugs [5] . Aloe vera has been used externally to treat various skin conditions such as cuts, burns and eczema. It is alleged that sap from Aloe vera eases pain and reduces inflammation. It has antiseptic and antibiotic properties which make it highly valuable in treating cuts and abrasions. Aloe has been marketed as a remedy for coughs, wounds, ulcers, gastritis, diabetes, cancer, headaches, arthritis, immune-system deficiencies, and many other conditions when taken internally. However, the general internal use is as a laxative. II. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS Aloe contains two classes of Aloins: (1) nataloins, which yield picric and oxalic acids with nitric acid, and do not give a red coloration with nitric acid; and (2) barbaloins, which yield aloetic acid (C7H2N3O5), chrysammic acid (C7H2N2O6), picric and oxalic acids with nitric acid, being reddened by the acid. This second group may be divided into a-barbaloins, obtained from Barbados aloes, and reddened in the cold, and b-barbaloins, obtained from Socotrine and Zanzibar Aloes, reddened by ordinary nitric acid only when warmed or by fuming acid in the cold. Nataloin forms bright yellow scales. Barbaloin forms yellow prismatic crystals. Table 1 representing the chemical composition and properties and activity of Aloe vera. Fig 1: Aloe vera © 2015, IJARCSSE All Rights Reserved Page | 84 Revathy, International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Software Engineering 5 (3), March- 2015, pp. 84-88 Table 1. Chemical composition and properties of Aloe vera Constituents Number and identification Properties and activity Amino acids Provides 20 of the 22 required amino acids and 7 of the 8 essential ones Basic building blocks of proteins in the body and muscle tissues Anthraquinones Provides Aloe emodin, Aloetic acid, alovin, anthracine Analgesic, antibacterial Enzymes Anthranol, barbaloin, chrysophanic acid, smodin, ethereal oil, ester of cinnamonic acid, isobarbaloin, resistannol Antifungal and antiviral activity but toxic at high concentrations Hormones Auxins and gibberellins Wound healing and antiinflammatory Essential for good health Minerals Calcium, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, potassium, sodium and zinc Salicylic acid Aspirin like compounds Analgesic Saponins Glycosides Steroids Cholesterol, campesterol, lupeol, sistosterol Monosaccharides: Glucose and Fructose Polysaccharides: Glucomannan/polymannose A, B, C, E, choline, B12, folic acid Cleansing and antiseptic Anti-inflammatory agents, lupeol has Antiseptic and analgesic properties Anti-viral, immune modulating activity of Acemannan Sugars Vitamins Antioxidant (A, C, E), neutralises free radicals III. THERAPEUTIC USE 3.1. Antitumor Activity A number of glycoproteins present in Aloe vera gel have been reported to have antitumor and antiulcer effects and to increase proliferation of normal human dermal cells [6, 7]. However, statistically significant clinical studies on the efficacy of Aloe vera gel on human health are very limited and often inconclusive [8]. In recent studies, a polysaccharide fraction has shown to inhibit the binding of benzopyrene to primary rat hepatocytes, thereby preventing the formation of potentially cancer-initiating benzopyrene-DNA adducts. An induction of glutathione S-transferase and an inhibition of the tumor-promoting effects of phorbol myristic acetate has also been reported which suggest a possible benefit of using aloe gel in cancer chemoprevention [9, 10]. 3.2. Anti-Inflammatory Action The anti-inflammatory activity of Aloe vera gel has been revealed by a number of in vitro and in vivo studies through bradykinase activity [11, 12]. The peptidase bradykinase was isolated from aloe and shown to break down the bradykinin, an inflammatory substance that induces pain [13]. A novel anti-inflammatory compound, C-glucosyl chromones, was isolated from gel extracts [14]. Aloe vera inhibits the cyclooxygenase pathway and reduces prostaglandin E2 production from arachidonic acid. Fresh Aloe vera gel significantly reduced acute inflammation in rats (carrageen in-induced paw edema), but not in chronic inflammation [12]. In croton oil-induced edema in mice, three Aloe vera gel sterols were able to reduce inflammation by up to 37%. Lupeol, the most active anti-inflammatory sterol, reduced inflammation in a dose dependent manner. The data suggest that specific plant sterols may also contribute to the anti-inflammatory activity of gel [14]. The aloe sterol includes campesterol, β-sitosterol, lupeol, and cholesterol which are anti-inflammatory in nature, helps in reducing the inflammation pain and act as a natural analgesic. Other aspirin-like compound present in Aloe is responsible for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Even, Aloe vera extract (5.0% leaf homogenate) decreased inflammation by 48% in a rat adjuvant-induced arthritic inflammatory model [15, 16]. 3.3. Effects on the Immune System Alprogen inhibit calcium influx into mast cells, thereby inhibiting the antigen-antibody-mediated release of histamine and leukotriene from mast cells. In a study on mice that had previously been implanted with murine sarcoma cells, Acemannan stimulates the synthesis and release of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor from macrophages in mice, which in turn initiated an immune attack that resulted in necrosis and regression of the cancerous cells. Several low-molecular-weight compounds are also capable of inhibiting the release of reactive oxygen free radicals from activated human neutrophils [17]. © 2015, IJARCSSE All Rights Reserved Page | 85 Revathy, International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Software Engineering 5 (3), March- 2015, pp. 84-88 3.4. Wound Healing Wound healing is a dynamic process, occurring in 3 phases. The first phase is inflammation, hyperemia and leukocyte infiltration. The second phase consists of removal of dead tissue. The third phase of proliferation consisting of epithelial regeneration and formation of fibrous tissue. A more recent review concludes that the cumulative evidence supports the use of Aloe vera for the healing of first to second degree burns. The wound healing property of Aloe vera gel has been attributed to Mannose-6-phosphate. Actually, Glucomannan and plant growth hormone gibberellins interacts with growth factor receptors of fibroblast and stimulate its activity and proliferation for increases collagen synthesis in topical and oral administration of Aloe according to Hayes. The Aloe administration influence collagen composition (more type III) and increased collagen cross linking for wound contraction and improving breaking strength. It also increases synthesis of hyaluronic acid and derma-tan sulfate in the granulation tissue of a healing wound. Acemannan is considered the main functional component of Aloe vera, is composed of a long chain of acetylated mannose. This complex carbohydrate accelerates wound healing and reduces radiation induced skin reactions. Macrophage-activating potential Acemannan may stimulate the release of fibrogenic cytokines. Direct binding of Acemannan to growth factors and their stabilization may lead to promotion of prolong stimulation of granulation tissue. The Aloe gel has been used for the treatment of radiation burns and radiation ulcers and complete healing has been observed in two radiation burns patients. The fresh gel was more effective than the cream as Aloe gel-treated lesions healed faster (11.8 days) com-pared to burns treated with petroleum jelly gauze (18.2 days) by Fulton. The 27 patients with partial thickness burns have been treated with Aloe gel in a placebo-controlled study [18]. 3.5. Laxative Effects Anthraquinones present in latex are a potent laxative and its stimulating mucus secretion, increase intestinal water content and intestinal peristalsis. The Aloe are due primarily to the 1, 8-dihydroxyanthracene glycosides, aloin A and B (formerly designated barbaloin). After oral administration aloin A and B, which are not absorbed in the upper intestine, are hydrolysed in the colon by intestinal bacteria and then reduced to the active metabolites (the main active metabolite is aloe-emodin- 9-anthrone) which like senna acts as a stimulant and irritant to the gastrointestinal tract. Aloe latex is known for its laxative properties. The laxative effect of Aloe is not generally observed before 6 hours after oral administration, and sometimes not until 24 or more hours after [20]. IV. MEDICINAL USES The bioactive compounds are used as astringent, haemostatic, antidiabetic, antiulcer, antiseptic, antibacterial, anti inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer agent also, effective in treating stomach ailments, gastrointestinal problems, skin diseases, constipation, radiation injury, wound healing, burns, dysentery, diarrhoea and in the treatment of skin diseases (represents in Graph 1). It is used in ayurvedic formulations as appetite-stimulant, purgative, emmenogogue and antihelminthic, for treating cough, colds, piles, debility, dyspnoea, asthma and jaundice [20]. Graph 1. Representing the medicinal utilities of Aloe vera. 4.1. Antidiabetic The five phytosterols of A. vera, lophenol, 24-methyl- lophenol, 24-ethyl-lophenol, cycloartanol and 24methylenecycloartanol showed anti-diabetic effects in type-2 diabetic mice. Aloe vera contains polysaccharides which increase the insulin level and show hypoglycemic properties. Noor et al., reviewed the beneficial effects of selective medicinal plant species such as Allium cepa, Allium sativum, Aloe vera, Azadirachta indica, Gymnema sylvestre, Syzygium cumini and Pterocarpus marsupium, and emphasize on the role of active bio ment of diabetes mellitus has been attempted with various indigenous plants and polyherbal formulations. Encouraging results have been obtained from plant extracts with respect to antidiabetic activity, but still only a meager percentage of the plant world has been explored. Medicinal plants like Trigonella foenum graecum, Allium sativum, Gymnema slyvestre, Syzigium cumini and Aloe vera have been studied for treatment of diabetes mellitus. Extracts of Aloe gum increases glucose tolerance in both normal and diabetic rats and Aloe vera sap taken for 4 - 14 weeks has shown a significant hypoglycaemic effect both clinically and experimentally. Aloe vera gel is used in reducing sugar in diabetes. The five phytosterols of A. vera, lophenol, 24- methyl-lophenol, 24-ethyl-lophenol, cycloartanol and 24- methylenecycloartanol showed anti-diabetic effects in type-2 diabetic mice [21]. Traditional anti-diabetic plants might provide new oral anti-diabetic compounds, which can counter the high cost and poor availability of the current medicines for many rural populations in developing countries. © 2015, IJARCSSE All Rights Reserved Page | 86 Revathy, International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Software Engineering 5 (3), March- 2015, pp. 84-88 4.2. Anticancer Properties The role of Aloe in carcinogenicity has not been evaluated well. The chronic abuse of anthranoid-containing laxatives has been hypothesized to play a role in colorectal cancer; however, no causal relationship between anthranoid laxative abuse and colorectal cancer has been demonstrated and reported. 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 emodin, an anthraquinones, has the ability to suppress or inhibit the growth of malignant cancer cells making it to have anti-neoplastic properties [22]. 4.3. Stress Aloe juice is helpful in smooth functioning of the body machinery. It reduces cell-damaging process during stress condition and minimizes biochemical and physiological changes in the body [23]. Oxidative stress refers to chemical reactions in which compounds have their oxidative state changed. Some antioxidants are part of the body’s natural regulating machinery while other dietary antioxidants are derived from diet sources. Aloe vera is an excellent example of a functional food that plays a significant role in protection from oxidative stress. 4.4. Cosmetic & Skin Protection Application Aloin and its gel are used as skin tonic against pimples. Aloe vera is also used for soothing the skin, and keeping the skin moist to help avoid flaky scalp and skin in harsh and dry weather. The Aloe sugars are also used in moisturizing preparations. Mixed with selected essential oils, it makes an excellent skin smoothening moisturizer, sun block lotion plus a whole range of beauty products. Due to its soothing and cooling qualities, Maharishi Ayurveda recommends Aloe vera for a number of skin problems. Aloe vera extracts have antibacterial and antifungal activities, which may help in the treatment of minor skin infections, such as boils and benign skin cysts and have been shown to inhibit the growth of fungi that cause tinea. Currently, the plant is widely used in skin care, cosmetics and as nutraceuticals. Aloe vera gel has been reported to have a protective effect against radiation damage to the skin. Exact role is not known, but following the administration of Aloe vera gel, an antioxidant protein, metallothionein, is generated in the skin, which scavenges hydroxyl radicals and prevents suppression of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the skin. It reduces the production and release of skin keratinocyte derived immunosuppressive cytokines such as interleukin-10 (IL-10) and hence prevents UV-induced suppression of delayed type hypersensitivity [24]. Skin burns effect is reported and radiation dermatitis. Some researcher has been reported the contact dermatitis and burning skin sensations following topical applications of Aloe vera gel to dermabraded skin. These reactions appeared to be associated with anthroquinone contaminants in this preparation. V. HEALTH BENEFITS 5.1 Helps digestion: Drinking Aloe vera juice naturally allows the body to cleanse the digestive system. It encourages the bowels to move and helps with elimination if a person is constipated. And if you have diarrhea, it will help slow it down. 5. 2 Increases energy levels: Our diets include many substances which can cause fatigue and exhaustion. Taken regularly, Aloe vera juice ensures a greater feeling of well-being, allowing energy levels to increase and also helps maintain a healthy body weight. 5.3 Builds immunity: It is especially great for those who have chronic immune disorders like polysaccharides or fibromyalgia since the polysaccharides in Aloe vera juice stimulate macrophages, the white blood cells that fight viruses. 5.4 Detoxifies: Aloe vera juice is a great natural aid to detox. With our stressful lives, the pollution around us and the junk foods we eat, we all need to cleanse our systems from time to time. Drinking Aloe vera juice provides a fantastically rich cocktail of vitamins, minerals and trace elements to help our bodies deal with these stresses and strains every day. 5.5 Reduces inflammation: It improves joint flexibility and helps in the regeneration of body cells. It strengthens joint muscles, which therefore reduces pain and inflammation in weakened or aged joints. VI. CONCLUSION The active ingredients hidden in its succulent leaves have the power to soothe human life and health in a myriad ways. The plant has importance in everyday life to soothe a variety of skin ailments such as mild cuts, antidote for insect stings, bruises, poison ivy and eczema along with skin moisturizing and anti ageing, digestive tract health, blood and lymphatic circulation and functioning of kidney, liver and gall bladder makes it a boon to human kind. Aloe vera as the “wonder plant” is multiple from being an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory agent, helps in relieving like cancer and diabetes, and being a cosmetic field. The plant is in need to a greater research emphasis for better utilization of this plant for humankind. 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