Medicinal applications and toxicological activities of Aloe products

Abstract

Aloe (Lilliaceae) has long been used as a remedy in many cultures. Aloe products, which include the latex, gel, and whole leaf, are used, among other reasons, as laxatives, in creams for skin ailments, and as a treatment for a wide range of diseases, respectively. The heterogeneous nature of Aloe products may contribute to the diverse biological and therapeutic activities that have been observed. Variations in the composition of Aloe can result in products with different chemical and physical properties, making the comparison of products difficult. In this article, the chemistry, uses, pharmacological activity, and toxicity of Aloe gel, latex, and isolated compounds are reviewed. This article is confined to literature pertaining to Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. (also known as A. barbadensis Miller) and Aloe ferox Miller since they are the most widely used species both commercially and for their therapeutic properties.