1. Aloe

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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

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

7. 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

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

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

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

11. 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.

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

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

14. 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

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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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.

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

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

23. Quiz
Aloe contains
Alkaloids
Glycosides
Volatile oils
Saponins

24. 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)

25. 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)