Aloe

Objectives On the completion of this lesson, you would be able to Know : The monograph of ALOE Fig.13.1

Aloe Synonym : Aloe, Ghritkumari Biological Source : Dried juice collected by incision from the bases of the leaves of various species of Aloe. Aloe bardadensis (Curacao aloes) Aloe spicata (Cape aloes) Aloe perryi (Socotrine aloes) Aloe ferox Family : Liliaceae Fig.13.2

Aloe Geographical Source : There are about 160 species of Aloe from which Following species are important. 1. Aloe perryi : found in Socotra & Zanzibar known as Socotrine or Zanzibar aloe.

Aloe Geographical Source: 2. Aloe vera : Also known as Aloe vulgaris, Aloe barbadensis or Aloe officinalis Found in North Africa Curacao in West Indies Known as Curacao or Barbados aloe Fig.13.3

Aloe Geographical Source: Aloe ferox : Found in Cape colony in South Africa This aloe is known as Cape aloe

Aloe Organoleptic characters: Colour : Depends upon variety dark brown, brownish black or black Odour : Characteristic Taste : Intensely bitter and nauseating Size : Masses of various sizes Fig.13.4

Aloe Chemical Constituents : Contains 30% Aloin which is a mixture of 3 isomers: Barbaloin Beta barbaloin Isobarbaloin Fig.13.5

Aloe Chemical Constituents : Aloinoside A Aloinoside B Capaloresinotannol with p-coumaric acid Resin of Curacao variety contain Barbaloresino-tannol

Aloe Chemical Constituents : Barbaloin aloe-emodin anthrone + Glucose Also contains Aloe-emodin anthranol and Aloe-emodin Hydrolysis

Aloe Chemical tests : Preparation of test solution : Boil 1g of drug with 100ml of water. Allow it to cool; add 1g Kieselguhr, stirr it well and filter through filter paper. With filtrate perform the following tests.

Aloe - Chemical tests 1. Borax test : 10ml of test solution + 0.5g of Borax Green coloured fluorescence (due to aloe-emodin anthranol) Heat

Aloe - Chemical tests Bromine Test : Add equal volume of Bromine solution to solution of Aloe Bulky yellow precipitate

Aloe - Chemical tests Modified Anthraquinone Test : 0.1g of drug + 5ml of 5% Ferric chloride solution + 5ml Dil. Hydrochloric acid Cool the solution and shake with Benzene Heat on boiling water Bath for 5 minutes

Aloe - Chemical tests Modified Anthraquinone Test : Separate the organic layer add equal volume of Dil.ammonia Ammoniacal layer becomes Pinkish-red colour

Aloe - Chemical tests 4. Cupraloin Test : Dilute 4ml of test solution to 10ml + 1drop of copper sulphate bright Yellow colour Colour changes to Purplish Colour persists Add 10 drops of saturated solution of sodium chloride Add 20 drops of 90% alcohol

Aloe - Chemical tests 5. Nitrous Acid Test : 5ml of test solution + few small crystals of sodium nitrite + few drops of Dil. acetic acid Pink or purplish colour

Aloe - Chemical tests Nitric Acid Test : 5ml of test solution + 2ml of conc.nitric acid : (a) Curacao aloe : Deep reddish-brown (b) Socotrine aloe : Pale yellow-brown (c) Zanzibar aloe : Yellow-brown (d) Cape aloe : First Brown, changing to Green later

Aloe Uses : Strong purgative In high doses acts as abortifacient Anti-spasmodic Ointment of Aloe gel is used in sun burns , thermal burns, radiation burns Prevent skin ulceration, irritation and malignancy

Summary In this class we have discussed about Aloe contains dried juice obtained by Making incisions of the leave bases of Various species of Aloe. Belongs to the Family Liliaceae Contains Anthraquinone glycosides Used as strong purgative.

Quiz 1. Aloe belongs to the family Zingiberaceae Leguminosae Liliaceae Umbelliferae

Quiz 2. Aloe is used as Anti-pyretic Dental analgesic Anti-diabetic Strong Purgative

Quiz Aloe contains Alkaloids Glycosides Volatile oils Saponins

Frequently Asked Questions 1. What are Glycosides ? Give the chemical constituents of Aloe. ( Mar/Apr-06) 2. Write down the Source, Chemical constituents, Uses and Chemical tests of Aloe. (Mar/Apr-05) 3. Give the Botanical Source, Chemical constituents and Chemical tests for Aloe. (Dec-03)

Frequently Asked Questions 4. Write the Botanical source, Characters, Chemical constituents, Uses and three chemical tests of Aloe. (Mar-03) 5. Define the term Laxative. Mention the Botanical source, Family and Chemical constituents of Aloe.(Jun-02)