Botanical Name and Scientific Classification of Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera, commonly known as ‘Gwar Patha or Ghrit Kumari’ in Hindi (and Sanskrit respectively) is a succulent or juicy plant species of the genus Aloe. It grows up to 80-100 cm in height, matures in 4-6 years and survives for around 25 years under favourable conditions. 

This succulent perennial herb has a triangular, sessile stem, shallow root system, and fleshy serrated, pea-green leaves arranged in a rosette of 30 - 50 cm length and 10 cm breadth at the base. The bright yellow tubular flowers are 25 - 35 cm in length and their axillary spikes and stamens are frequently projected beyond the perianth tube. The fruits contain many seeds. The gel inside leaves is clear, odourless, tasteless and free of leaf skin or yellow parts. Aloe vera gel has immense medicinal value and so finds use in a wide range of products. 

What is the Botanical Name of Aloe Vera?

The botanical name of aloe vera is Aloe barbadensis miller. It belongs to the family of Liliaceae or Asphodelaceae. It is a shrubby, perennial and xerophytic plant and has originated from the Arabian peninsula. 

What are the Active Ingredients in Aloe Vera Leaves?

The leaves of aloe vera have three layers. The outermost layer consists of 15 - 20 cells thick protective layer synthesising carbohydrates and proteins. The major components include anthraquinones, chromones, polysaccharides, and enzymes. The elements present in the gel are Al, B, Ba, Ca, Fe, Mg, Na, P, Si etc.

The transverse section of the leaf is made up of three layers and are

1. Outer Protective Layer 

2. Middle Layer 

3. Colourless Inner Layer

Outer Protective Layer

The pericyclic tubules in the outer layer contain a bitter yellow latex. In it, derivatives of hydroxyanthra-cene, anthraquinone, and glycosides aloin A and B are found in the amount of 15-40%. Besides these, hydroxyanthrone, aloe- emodin-anthrone 10-C-glucoside, and chrones are also present as the active components of the aloe. 

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Middle Layer

The bitter yellow layer contains anthraquinones and glycosides. The juice that is originated from cells of the pericycle and adjacent leaf parenchyma, flowing continuously from the cut leaf gets dried with or without the help of heat and gets solidified easily. But it should not be confused with aloe vera gel which is also the colourless mucilaginous gel that is obtained from the parenchymatous leaf cells. These parenchymatous cells contain carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and amino acids along with vitamins, enzymes, and other organic and inorganic compounds. 

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Inner Layer:  

The innermost layer contains water up to 99%, with glucomannans, amino acids, lipids, sterols, and vitamins. The other main ingredients include vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids, and amino acids. It also has numerous monosaccharides and polysaccharides, vitamins B1, B2, B6, and C, niacinamide and choline, several inorganic ingredients, enzymes (acid and alkaline phosphatase, amylase, lactate dehydrogenase, lipase), and organic compounds (aloin, barbaloin, and emodin). 

Chemical Composition of the Aloe Vera Gel

The fresh gel consists of water (99.1%) and mesophyll cells (0.9% dry matter), in 3 distinct fractions: cell wall, microparticles, and liquid gel (accounting for 16.2%, 0.7%, and 83.1% of dry pulp (w/w), respectively). The sugar component is mannose as mannose-6-phosphate. Overall, the 5 neutral sugars (i.e., arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose, glucose) account for 69.2% of the total sugars in the gel. Mucopolysaccharides are mainly present as acemannan. The anthraquinone content is present below 50 ppm and this is the impurity from the leaf extract of aloe vera. Other ingredients include various amino acids, enzymes, and vitamins present in minute amounts.

Chemical Composition, Properties and Functions of Aloe Vera

What are the Therapeutic Uses of Aloe Vera?

From keeping the body cool to healing wounds and burns, aloe vera or rather, aloe vera gel has numerous health benefits. FDA approved that Aloe vera can be used in food as flavoring, herbal remedies, cosmetics, and food supplements.  However, studies show that the benefits of aloe vera are endless. Following are some of the top therapeutic values of aloe vera:

• Wound Healing- Aloe Vera is used for the treatment of radiation burns & radiation ulcers.

• Anti-Inflammatory Action- Sterols present in Aloe vera gel which are considered to reduce inflammation up to 37%, contain campesterol, β-sitosterol, lupeol & cholesterol which are considered to be anti-inflammatory in nature and help in reducing inflammatory pain.

• Moisturising and Anti-Aging Agent- Gel improves skin integrity and decreases acne, wrinkles. It also gives a cooling effect and acts as a moisturizer. Amino acids soften the skin cells & zinc helps to tighten the pores.

• Antitumor Activity- The presence of glycoproteins has antitumor & antinuclear effects and increases the proliferation of human dermal cells.

• Maintaining Oral Hygiene- Reports show that aloe vera in tooth gels is very effective and helps to fight cavities. In some cases, aloe vera gels are even better than commercial toothpaste to control oral bacteria. 

The active ingredients present in leaves have the power to soothe human life & health in many ways. Undoubtedly, it’s a gift of nature to human beings that is used extensively for cosmetic and medicinal applications. We can call it “Wonder Plant” for its numerous contributions.