More than 360 species of Aloe are known and, among them, beneficial substances for the health have been noted in about twenty, being nevertheless the Aloe Vera Barbadensis Miller the richest and most complete species in properties, the most studied and commercialized nowadays. We, from ALOE VERA INTEGRAL WAY have been verifying for more than a decade the usefulness of this plant in day to day as much as in major health disorders. Based on a selective search of clinical and scientific studies, we offer a concise summary of its active principles and benefits and a list of sources that we think may be useful.
- An Aloe leaf contains 98.5 to 99.5% water with a pH between 4.4 to 4.7 and the rest of its components are anthracenes, chromones (aloesone, aloesol, aloesin), anthraquinones (aloe-emodin), glucomannans, acemanans, free monosaccharides, salicylic acid, minerals and flavonoids (aloenin, naringenin, apigenin).
| Components | Percentage and characteristics |
| Water / humidity | 98.5-99.5%, pH 4-5. |
| Carbohydrates | 0.25% (25-50% dry weight) |
| Soluble polysaccharides | Glucomannans and acemanans |
| Free monosaccharides | Mannose, glucose, galactose |
| Nitrogen content | 0.013% |
| Aminoacids | 18 (7 of the 8 essentials, 20% Arg.) |
| Glycoproteins | Lectinas |
| Enzymes | Aloctin A, alloctin B, bradykinase, carboxypeptidase, CAT, SOD, GPx, peroxidases. |
| Vitamins | Ascorbic acid, B complex, carotenoids (A), tocopherols (E). |
| Minerals and trace elements | 24-25% dry weight. K, Cl, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Al, Se, Cr. |
| Organic acids | Salicylic, malic, lactic, acetic and succinic acid. |
| Phenolic compounds | Anthraquinones, aloin A and B, aloe-emodin, aloenin, aloesin, aloeresin, among others. |
| Fitoesteroles | β-sitosterol, campesterol |
| Other compounds | Aliphatic hydrocarbons, long chain esters, volatile compounds such as ketones and aldehydes. |
(Arg=arginina, CAT=catalasa, SOD=superóxido dismutasa; GPx=glutatión peroxidasa.)
- Certain Aloe compounds have important beneficial properties in health, such is the case of some polyphenols and anthracenes such as aloe-emodin, acemanans, etc. Its beneficial effects are associated with its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and regulatory properties of the immune response. These beneficial effects have been observed in several studies both in vivo and in vitro, although it must be recognized that many aspects still need to be studied to fully understand the mechanisms of beneficial action of Aloe. It can be concluded that Aloe is by its active principles a good candidate to reduce or prevent diseases.
- Aloemodina: Acts on the intestinal mucosa, regulating its functioning.
- Aloetina: bactericidal and antiviral, neutralizes the effect of microbial and viral toxins.
- Alimitina: prevents and controls the spread of certain forms of cancer.
- Aloeolein: improves duodenal and stomach ulcers. To this is added the “buffer” effect that decreases the acidity.
- Emolina, emodina, barbaloina: Through organic reactions, they generate salicylic acid with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antifebrile effect.
- Creatinine: It is essential in storage reactions and energy transmission.
- Saponins: Antiseptic.
- Carrisine: Strengthens the immune system, increases defenses.
- Amino Acids: Involved in the formation of proteins; also fundamental for the immune system.
- Vitamins: Beneficial for all the functions of the human body and health in general.
- Mucilage: Emollient activity on the skin.
- Mannose Phosphate: In particular, it acts as a tissue growth agent. Its healing effect was proven on different ulcers, especially buccal.
- Acemannan (…) extracted from the leaves of Aloe barbadensis. (…) antiviral, anti-neoplastic and beneficial properties on some gastrointestinal disturbances. It has been demonstrated that acemannan has immunostimulant properties (TNF), stimulating the production of interferon, tumor necrosis factor. (…) conditions that favor the prevention or even the eradication of infections of viral origin (…) In vitro experiments have also shown that acemannan inhibits replication in the HIV virus although subsequent in vivo experiments have not yet been conclusive. (…) It is currently used in the treatment of fibrosarcoma in dogs and cats (…). Promising results have been obtained in tumors and feline leukemia (…).
More information in the following links:
- Characterization of Aloeride, a new high-molecular-weight polysaccharide from Aloe vera with potent immunostimulatory activity. J Agric Food Chem 2001.
- Aloe-emodin Is a New Type of Anticancer Agent with Selective Activity against Neuroectodermal Tumors. Teresa Pecere, M. Vittoria Gazzola, Carla Mucignat et al.
Cancer Res June 1, 2000. - Hepatotherapeutic Effect of Aloe Vera in Alcohol-induced Hepatic Damage. W.A. Saka, R.E. Akhigbe, O.S. Ishola, et al. 2011.
- Evaluation of the Nutritional and Metabolic Effects of Aloe vera. Meika Foster, Duncan Hunter, and Samir Samman. CRC Press; 2011
