Aloes is the expressed juice of the leaves of the
plant. According to W.A Shemstone, two
classes of Aloins are recognized;
(1) Nataloins, which yield picric and
oxalic acids with nitric acid and do not give a red coloration with nitric
acids.
(2) Barbaloins, which yield aloetic acid
(Cy H2 N2 O5), chrysmmic acid (C7H2N2O6),
prenic and oxalic acids with nitric acid, being reddened by the acid. Nataloin
(2C17H13O7H2O) forms
bright yellow scales. Barbaloin (C17H18O7)
forms yellow prismatic crystals.
Aloe contains over 75 known nutrients
which can be divided into the following groups;
Vitamins – Vitamin C and D,
Beta-carotene. Minerals – magnesium, Manganese, Zinc, Copper, Chromium.
Sugar - Mucopolysacharide
Enzymes – lipase and protease, alkaloids, lignin,
saponnins, amino acids and athraquinones (Onuegbu, 2000).
MEDICINAL USES OF ALOE BARBADENSIS
Aloe barbadensis can be used to treat many ailments both external and
internal and comes in the form of tea, jell, juice, salve, capsule and
decoction forms when processed (Onuegbu, 2000). The medicinal uses include;
treatment of skin rashes, this is achieved by applying only the affected skin
(Schweitzer, 1990).
In treating wounds and burns; reports
shows that A. barbadensis contains anti-inflammatory acids which are plant
steroids (visuthukosol,1995).in vitro studies suggest polysaccharides such as
acemannon, help promote skin healing by anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and immune stimulating actions.
It also serves as a laxative; this is
achieved by mixing A. barbadensis juice, Z. officinal and A.
sativum powder and undiluted honey. This is taken orally for a number of
days (Schweitzer, 1990).
A. Barbadensis
can also be used in the treatment of rheumatism, antihelminitics, treatment of
high fever and in combination with the oral hypoglycemic drug, glibenclamide,
for effective lowering of blood sugar in people with type 2(non-insulin-dependent)
diabetes (Visuthukosol et al,1995).