Kumar R, Singh AK, Gupta A, Bishayee A, Pandey AK. Therapeutic potential of Aloe vera-A miracle gift of nature.
PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2019;
60:152996. [PMID:
31272819 DOI:
10.1016/j.phymed.2019.152996]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Aloe vera is commonly used in the primary health care of human beings since time immemorial. It is an herb widely used in various traditional systems of medicine worldwide. Systematic and scientific investigation on A. vera as a medicinal plant has drawn considerable attention, and many laboratories are involved in isolation, characterization and evaluation of phytoconstituents for their nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.
PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the phytochemical, biological and medicinal attributes of A. vera against various diseases with special emphasis on underlying mechanisms of action.
METHODS
PubMed, EBOSCO host, Science Direct, Scopus, and Cochrane library databases were utilized to search literature published between1977 and 2019 (till March). Major keywords used in various combinations included: Aloe vera, phytochemistry, metabolism, pharmacological activity, prevention, treatment, health, disease, in vivo, in vitro, and clinical studies.
RESULTS
Various biological and pharmacological activities of A. vera, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, anticancer, and skin-protective and wound-healing responses, have been attributed to the presence of many active compounds, including anthraquinones, anthrones, chromones, flavonoids, amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
CONCLUSION
Based on various preclinical studies, A. vera constituents have enormous potential to prevent and treat various diseases. Randomized clinical trials are needed to understand the full therapeutic potential of this unique medicinal plant.
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