"Ghritkumari (Aloe barbadensis Mill.; commonly known as Aloe vera) is a perennial succulent herb valued for its thick, fleshy leaves containing mucilaginous gel and bitter yellow latex. The clear inner gel is widely used for wound healing, burns, and skin care, while processed preparations are used in nutraceuticals. Its pharmacological properties include wound healing, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and laxative activities. The major bioactive compounds are polysaccharides such as acemannan, along with anthraquinones like aloin and aloe-emodin.
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Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Angiosperms
- Class: Monocots
- Order: Asparagales
- Family: Asphodelaceae
- Genus: Aloe
- Species: Aloe barbadensis Mill. (syn. Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.)
Common Names
- English: Aloe, Aloe vera, Indian aloe
- Sanskrit: Kumari, Ghritkumari
- Hindi: Ghritkumari, Gwarpatha
- Tamil: Kumari
- Malayalam: Kumari
- Kannada: Lolesara
- Bengali: Ghritakalmi
- Marathi: Korphad
Traditional and Medicinal Uses
- Skin & Wound Care - Promotes healing, reduces inflammation, and provides antimicrobial effects.
- Digestive Health - Leaf latex has been used traditionally as a laxative, Processed gel is used in formulations for digestion and mild
- Anti-inflammatory & Immunomodulatory Uses - Traditionally used to reduce inflammation, soothe skin irritation, and strengthen immunity.
- Cosmetic Applications - Widely used in moisturizers, shampoos, conditioners, and anti-aging creams.Helps maintain hydration, reduce acne, and improve skin texture.
Phytochemical Constituents
- Polysaccharides - Acemannan (main bioactive, wound healing and immunomodulatory).
- Anthraquinones / Anthrones - Aloin, Aloe-emodin, Emodin (laxative and antimicrobial properties).
- Chromones - Aloesin (anti-inflammatory and skin-lightening effect).
- Phenolic Compounds & Flavonoids - Provide antioxidant effects.
- Sterols, Fatty acids, Vitamins & Minerals - Support overall nutritive and therapeutic properties.
References
Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Kanyasara (Aloe barbadensis Mill.). Part I, Vol. 6. Govt. of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
European Medicines Agency (EMA). (2016). European Union Herbal Monograph on Aloe barbadensis Mill. EMA/HMPC/625788/2015.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2022). Some Drugs and Herbal Products: Toxicological Assessment (includes Aloe vera). WHO/IARC Monographs.
Sánchez, M., et al. (2020). Pharmacological update: Properties of Aloe vera and its therapeutic applications. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11, 544.
Catalano, A., et al. (2024). Aloe vera — An Extensive Review Focused on Recent Studies. Frontiers in Pharmacology.
Bai, Y., et al. (2023). A new biomaterial derived from Aloe vera — Acemannan: properties and applications. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 11, 1145.
Femenía, A., Sánchez, E., Simal, S., & Rosselló, C. (1999). Compositional features of polysaccharides from Aloe vera plant tissues. Carbohydrate Polymers, 39(2), 109–117.
Nalimu, F., et al. (2021). Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe species. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 15(30), 124–132
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