Aloe vera - Defination, types, Uses

The botanical name of the plant aloe vera is Aloe barbadensis miller.It is a shrubby or arborescent, perennial, xerophytic, succulent, pea-green plant that is a member of the Liliaceae family. It primarily grows in the arid climates of Africa, Asia, Europe, and America.

The fleshy, serrated, pea-green leaves of this succulent perennial herb are grouped at the base of the plant in a rosette that is 30 to 50 cm long and 10 cm wide. It also has a shallow root system. The 25–35 cm long, bright yellow tubular flowers with axillary spikes and stamens that commonly extend past the perianth tube. The fruits are filled with seeds. There are no leaf skin or yellow components in the transparent, flavorless, and odorless gel found inside of leaves. Because of its tremendous medical benefits, aloe vera gel is used in a variety of goods.

Active Ingredients in Aloe Vera Leaves

Aloe vera leaves have three layers. The 15–20 cell thick protective layer that synthesizes proteins and carbohydrates makes up the outermost layer. Anthraquinones, chromones, polysaccharides, and enzymes are some of the main ingredients. The gel contains a variety of elements, including Al, B, Ba, Ca, Fe, Mg, Na, P, and Si.

There are three layers in the leaf’s transverse section.

• Outer Protective Layer

• Middle Layer

• Colourless Inner Layer

Outer Protective Layer

A bitter yellow latex can be seen in the pericyclic tubules of the outer layer. It contains 15–40% of the compounds of hydroxyanthracene, anthraquinone, and the glycosides aloin A and B. As other active aloe ingredients, hydroxyanthrone, aloe-emodin-anthrone 10-C-glucoside, and chrones are also found.

Middle Layer

A coating of bitter yellow is made up of glycosides and anthraquinones. The juice that comes from the nearby leaf parenchyma and pericycle cells and flows continuously from the cut leaf is easily dried with or without the aid of heat. Aloe vera gel, which is likewise a clear, mucilaginous gel made from parenchymatous leaf cells, should not be confused with this, though. These parenchymatous cells are made up of vitamins, enzymes, and other organic and inorganic substances in addition to carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and amino acids.

Inner Layer

In addition to glucomannans, amino acids, lipids, sterols, and vitamins, the innermost layer includes up to 99% water. Vitamins, enzymes, minerals, carbohydrates, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids, and amino acids round out the list of key constituents. Along with numerous monosaccharides and polysaccharides, vitamins B1, B2, B6, and C, niacinamide, choline, and a number of inorganic components, enzymes (such as acid and alkaline phosphatase, amylase, lactate dehydrogenase, and lipase), and organic compounds, it also contains a number of monosaccharides and polysaccharides (aloin, barbaloin, and emodin)

Chemical Composition of the Aloe Vera Gel

Cell wall, microparticles, and liquid gel, which together account for 16.2%, 0.7%, and 83.1% of the dry pulp (w/w), respectively, make up the fresh gel's 99.1% water content and 0.9% dry matter content of mesophyll cells. Mannose in the form of mannose-6-phosphate is the sugar component. The five neutral sugars (glucose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, and galactose) make up 69.2% of the gel's total sugar content. The major form of mucopolysaccharides is acemannan. The anthraquinone content, which is an impurity from the aloe vera leaf extract, is less than 50 ppm. Other constituents include numerous vitamins, enzymes, and amino acids that are only slightly present.

Cultivation

Aloe vera has long been cultivated as a decorative plant. The species is well-liked by contemporary gardeners for its useful therapeutic properties as well as its attractive blossoms, shape, and succulence. This species' ability to thrive in environments with little to no natural rainfall thanks to its succulence makes it perfect for rockeries and other low-water gardens.

The species is resistant to harsh frost and snow and is hardy in zones 8 to 11. Although the species is generally resistant to insect pests, spider mites, mealy bugs, scale insects, and some aphid species can harm plants. This plant has received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

It is advised to use packaged "cacti and succulent mix" or a high-quality commercial propagation mix since they allow for good drainage. Because they are porous, terra cotta pots are preferred. Before rewatering, potted plants should be given a full chance to dry out. Aloes can become overcrowded in pots as "pups" sprout from the sides of the "mother plant." In order to make space for more growth, crowded plants might be divided and repotted; alternatively, the pups can be left with the mother plant. Aloe vera may go dormant in the winter, which means that minimal hydration is needed. The species should ideally be kept indoors or in heated glasshouses in regions that experience frost or snow. Haworthia and agave are indoor plants that require comparable maintenance.

Aloe vera is produced in significant quantities for the cosmetics industry in Australia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, China, Mexico, India, Jamaica, Spain, where it grows well even inland, Kenya, Tanzania.

Topical medication and potential side effects

Aloe vera can be made into a lotion, gel, soap, or cosmetic product for topical application to the skin. People who are allergic to aloe vera may experience skin reactions such as contact dermatitis, which manifests as minor redness and itching, breathing issues, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Dietary supplement

When the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prohibited over-the-counter (OTC) laxative products in the United States in 2002 due to manufacturers' failure to provide the required safety data, aloin, a chemical present in the semi-liquid latex of several Aloe species, was still a common ingredient.

Aloe vera juice is advertised as supporting the health of the digestive system, although no regulatory approval nor scientific basis exists for this claim. Toxicology is connected with the extracts and amounts commonly utilized for such objectives in a dose-dependent manner.

Therapeutic Uses of Aloe Vera

Aloe vera, or aloe vera gel, has several health advantages, from regulating body temperature to treating burns and wounds. Aloe vera has been given FDA approval for usage in food supplements, herbal treatments, cosmetics, and flavouring. Aloe vera, however, has a wealth of advantages, according to studies. The following are a few of aloe vera's main medicinal benefits:

Wound Healing: Radiation burns and radiation ulcers are treated with aloe vera.

Anti-Inflammatory Action: Campesterol, -sitosterol, lupeol, and cholesterol are among the sterols found in aloe vera gel that are thought to have anti-inflammatory properties and lower inflammation-related pain by up to 37%.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Agent: Gel enhances skin integrity and lessens wrinkles and acne. Additionally, it has a cooling effect and moisturizes the skin. The skin cells are softened by amino acids, and zinc helps to close the pores.

Antitumor Activity: Glycoproteins have anticancer and antinuclear properties and promote human dermal cell growth.

Maintaining Oral Hygiene: According to reports, aloe vera in tooth gels is particularly good at preventing cavities. Aloe vera gels can often reduce mouth germs more effectively than conventional toothpaste.

The active components found in leaves have the ability to improve human life and health in a variety of ways. It's without a doubt a gift from nature to humans that is widely employed in aesthetic and therapeutic purposes. Given all of its accomplishments, we can refer to it as the "Wonder Plant."

Conclusion

In addition to the use of modern medications, the wonder plant Aloe vera has gained a greater understanding of its use in cosmetics and as a possible therapeutic to treat a variety of maladies. Controlled trials are necessary to assess the drug-herb interactions and to regulate the herb's actual efficacy, despite the fact that there are indications for its usage.