ALOES

Regional Name / Vernical Name/Synonym – Ghritakumari , Musabbar

Biological Source – Aloe is the dried juice obtained from the leaves of the various   

                species of ALOE like –           i) Aloe-Peryi Baker ( Scotorine Aloe)

                                                             ii) Aloe-Vera ( Curacao-Aloe)

                                                            iii) Aloe-africana ( cape-Aloe) .

Family – Liliaceae

Geographical Distribution –Aloe is the indigenous to Eastern and Southern Africa and grown in Cape-colony . Zanzibar and Ilands of Socotra . It is also cultivated in Caribbean Ilands , Europe and many parts of India .

Organoleptic Evaluation

a)      Colour -  Depends upon the variety from which it is obtained . It is

                      dark-brown , brownish-black or black in colour .

b)      Odoud – Charecteristics .

c)      Taste – Intensly bitter .

d)      Size – It is found in the form of masses of Various size.

 * Morphology of Cape-Aloe :- Dark brown or greenish brown or glossy mass . Masses are  

                                                                transparent , when mounted in the Glycerin , the crystal            

                                                                particles are observed . Fracture is glossy .

* Morphology of Curacao-Aloe :- Colour is dark chocolate brown , usually opaque . Fracture is waxy .

                                                          

 * Morphology of Scotorine-Aloe :-Reddish black to brownish black opaque , smooth and  Conhoidal .  

Solubility( for 3-species) – It is entirely soluble in 60% alcohol and is  

                                            partly/partially soluble in water .

Main Chief chemical constituents  - Aloin .

                It is a mixture of Glycosides among which Barbaloin is the chief chemical constituents . Aloe also contain Isobarbaloin , β-Barbaloin , , Aloeemooidin and resin .

Identification Test :

Modified Born Tagger Test – To 0.1gm of the drug , 0.5% solution of Ferri chloride (     ) 2ml and dilute Hcl ( 2ml) , heat on boiling water-bath for 5-minutes . Cool and shake gently with Benzene . Separate Benzene (     ) layer and add equal volume of dilute ammonia . A pinkish red colour is produced with varieties of Aloes .

Therapeutic Use :

i)                    Aloe is used as a purgative because of its intensely irritating  effect on the delicate mucosal lining .

ii)                   Aloe gel is used in cosmetics to prevent wrinkles .

iii)                 It is also used in the treatment of skin-irritations , burn caused by sun , heat or radiations .