A Detailed Study of Aloe Barbadensis Phytochemistry, Taxonomy and Its Anticancer Activity

Abstract

Aloe barbadensis Mill., the scientific name of which is Aloe vera plant, is an essential perennial succulent plant with tremendous medicinal and pharmacological values. This species falls under the family Asphodelaceae and possesses thick fleshy and lanceolate leaves which are basal and in a rosette structure, the inner parenchyma has gel and the pericyclic region contains yellow latex. For centuries, Aloe barbadensis has been incorporated in different cultures in ethnomedical practices whereby it is used for the management of burns, wound, skin infection and gastrointestinal problems. The plant contains bioactive attributes mainly because it has contained a variety of phytochemical constituents which include polysaccharides like acemannan and glucomannan, anthraquinones as aloin A, aloin B, emodin, chromones namely aloesin, vitamins C, E, B complex, enzymes such as bradykinase and amylase, amino acids, and minerals and fatty acids. These constituents have a combined effect of biological functions such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory activities. Specifically, several scientific studies have revealed that Aloe barbadensis could have potential medicinally active anticancer properties based on its properties such as apoptosis, antiproliferation of tumor cells, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis. Alchemical compounds like aloin and emodin have exhibited good cytotoxicity to a number of cancer cell lines from breast, colon and liver cancer cells. It is also necessary to give the brief information about Aloe barbadensis including taxonomy, morphological differentiation of the plant from other Aloe species, phytochemistry and various other compounds, and the effectiveness of this plant as an anticancer agent.