Aloe 1650 224892137 2008-07-10T21:39:45Z Aaron Solomon Adelman 583027 {{Taxobox | name = ''Aloe'' | image = Koeh-007.jpg | image_width = 240px | image_caption = ''[[Aloe succotrina]]'' | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] | classis = [[Liliopsida]] | ordo = [[Asparagales]] | familia = [[Asphodelaceae]] | genus = '''''Aloe''''' | genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]] | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = See [[Aloe#Species|Species]] }} {{otheruses}} '''''Aloe''''', also written ''Aloë'', is a [[genus]] containing about four hundred [[species]] of [[flowering plants|flowering]] [[succulent plant|succulent]] [[plants]]. The genus is native to [[Africa]] and is common in [[South Africa]]'s [[Cape Province]] and the mountains of tropical Africa, and neighbouring areas such as [[Madagascar]], the [[Arabian peninsula]] and the islands off Africa. The [[APG II system]] (2003) placed the genus in the family [[Asphodelaceae]]. In the past it has also been assigned to families [[Aloaceae]] and [[Liliaceae]]. Members of the closely allied genera ''[[Gasteria]]'', ''[[Haworthia]]'' and ''[[Kniphofia]]'' which have a similar mode of growth, are also popularly known as aloes. Note that the plant sometimes called "American aloe" (''[[Agave americana]]''), belongs to [[Agavaceae]], a different family. Most Aloes have a [[rosette (botany)|rosette]] of large, thick, fleshy [[Leaf|leaves]]. The leaves are often lance-shaped with a sharp apex and a spiny margin. Aloe [[flower]]s are tubular, frequently yellow, pink or red and are borne on densely clustered, simple or branched leafless stems. Many species of Aloe are seemingly stemless, with the rosette growing directly at ground level; other varieties may have a branched or unbranched [[plant stem|stem]] from which the fleshy leaves spring. They vary in colour from grey to bright green and are sometimes striped or [[mottle|mottled]]. Some aloes native to South Africa have large trunks and are called aloe trees. <ref> [http://www.superstock.com/stock-photography/Aloe/Tree Images of aloe trees.] </ref> ==Uses== {{Refimprove|date=February 2007}} ''Aloe'' species are frequently cultivated as ornamental plants both in gardens and in pots. Many ''Aloe'' species are highly decorative and are valued by collectors of succulents. It is claimed to have some medicinal effects which have been supported by scientific and medical research - see references on article on [[Aloe Vera]]. ===Historical uses=== Since the era of [[Ancient Egypt]], [[human]]s have been using aloe. [[Cleopatra]] was said to have used aloe as a beauty tool. The [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptians]] discovered the healing powers of aloe. They used it as one of the ingredients of [[embalming fluid]]. In the [[10th Century]], the [[Europe|Europeans]] were introduced, where it became an important ingredient in many [[herbal]] [[medicine]]s. By the [[16th Century]], aloe arrived in the [[West Indies]], where still today it is grown and [[harvest]]ed. {{Fact|date=January 2008}} There are over 300 different types of aloe, but only a mere few were used traditionally as an [[herbal]] [[medicine]]. This includes ''aloe perryi'' (found in northeastern [[Africa]]) and ''aloe ferox'' (found in [[South Africa]]). But the one that tops the list of popularity is ''aloe vera''. It was and still is the most commonly used type of aloe. The [[Ancient Greece|Greeks]] and [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] used aloe to treat [[wound]]s. In the [[Middle Ages]], the yellowish liquid found inside the [[leaf|leaves]] was a favoured as [[purgative]].{{Fact|date=January 2008}} Some species, in particular ''[[Aloe vera]]'' are used in [[alternative medicine]]s and in home first aid. Both the translucent inner pulp and the resinous yellow exudate from wounding the Aloe plant are used ''externally'' to relieve skin discomforts. Systematic reviews of randomised and controlled clinical trials have provided no evidence that Aloe vera has a strong medicinal effect.<ref name="pmid16149293">{{cite journal |author=Richardson J, Smith JE, McIntyre M, Thomas R, Pilkington K |title=Aloe vera for preventing radiation-induced skin reactions: a systematic literature review |journal=Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) |volume=17 |issue=6 |pages=478–84 |year=2005 |pmid=16149293 |doi=}}</ref><ref name="pmid12069640">{{cite journal |author=Ernst E, Pittler MH, Stevinson C |title=Complementary/alternative medicine in dermatology: evidence-assessed efficacy of two diseases and two treatments |journal=Am J Clin Dermatol |volume=3 |issue=5 |pages=341–8 |year=2002 |pmid=12069640 |doi=}}</ref> Other research however suggests Aloe vera can significantly slow wound healing compared to normal protocols of treatment.<ref name="pmid2047051">{{cite journal |author=Schmidt JM, Greenspoon JS |title=Aloe vera dermal wound gel is associated with a delay in wound healing |journal=Obstet Gynecol |volume=78 |issue=1 |pages=115–7 |year=1991 |pmid=2047051 |doi=}}</ref> Today, the gel found in the leaves is used for soothing minor burns, [[wound]]s, and various skin conditions like [[eczema]] and [[ringworm]]. The use of this [[herbal]] [[medicine]] was popularized in the [[1950|1950's]] in many Western [[Country|Countries]]. The gel's effect is nearly immediate, plus it also applies a layer over [[wound]]s that is said to reduce the chance of any [[infection]].<ref name="pmid2047051"/> There have been very few properly conducted studies about possible benefits of aloe gel taken internally, since the Aloe extract is toxic and carcinogenic.<ref name="pmid17613130">{{cite journal |author= |title=Final report on the safety assessment of aloe andongensis extract, aloe andongensis leaf juice, aloe arborescens leaf extract, aloe arborescens leaf juice, aloe arborescens leaf protoplasts, aloe barbadensis flower extract, aloe barbadensis leaf, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, aloe barbadensis leaf polysaccharides, aloe barbadensis leaf water, aloe ferox leaf extract, aloe ferox leaf juice, and aloe ferox leaf juice extract |journal=Int. J. Toxicol. |volume=26 Suppl 2 |issue= |pages=1–50 |year=2007 |pmid=17613130 |doi=10.1080/10915810701351186}}</ref> There have been some studies in animal models which indicate that extracts of Aloe have a significant anti-hyperglycemic effect, and may be useful in treating Type II diabetes. These studies have not been confirmed in humans.<ref name="pmid16819181">{{cite journal |author=Tanaka M, Misawa E, Ito Y, Habara N, Nomaguchi K, Yamada M, Toida T, Hayasawa H, Takase M, Inagaki M, Higuchi R |title=Identification of five phytosterols from Aloe vera gel as anti-diabetic compounds |journal=Biol. Pharm. Bull. |volume=29 |issue=7 |pages=1418–22 |year=2006 |pmid=16819181 |doi=}}</ref> On May 9, 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule banning the use of aloe and [[Rhamnus purshiana|cascara sagrada]] as laxative ingredients in over-the-counter drug products.<ref name="pmid12001972">{{cite journal |author= |title=Status of certain additional over-the-counter drug category II and III active ingredients. Final rule |journal=Fed Regist |volume=67 |issue=90 |pages=31125–7 |year=2002 |pmid=12001972 |doi=}}</ref> [[Image:Aloe vossii - plant (aka).jpg|right|thumb|200px|''[[Aloe vossii]]'']] ===Chemical properties of aloe === [[Image:Split Aloe.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Split Aloe]] According to W. A. Shenstone, two classes of [[Aloin|aloins]] are to be recognized: (1) [[nataloin]]s, which yield [[picric acid|picric]] and [[oxalic acid]]s with [[nitric acid]], and do not give a red coloration with nitric acid; and (2) [[barbaloin]]s, which yield [[aloetic acid]] (C<sub>7</sub>H<sub>2</sub>N<sub>3</sub>O<sub>5</sub>), [[chrysammic acid]] (C<sub>7</sub>H<sub>2</sub>N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>6</sub>), picric and oxalic acids with nitric acid, being reddened by the acid. This second group may be divided into a-barbaloins, obtained from Barbadoes aloes, and reddened in the cold, and b-barbaloins, obtained from Socotrine and Zanzibar aloes, reddened by ordinary nitric acid only when warmed or by fuming acid in the cold. Nataloin (2C<sub>17</sub>H<sub>13</sub>O<sub>7</sub>·H<sub>2</sub>O) forms bright yellow scales. Barbaloin (C<sub>17</sub>H<sub>18</sub>O<sub>7</sub>) [[Prism (geometry)|prism]]atic crystals. Aloes also contain a trace of volatile oil, to which its odour is due.{{Fact|date=April 2007}} == Popular culture == The aloe plant (''A. rubrolutea'') occurs as a charge in [[heraldry]], such as in the Civic Heraldry of Namibia.<ref name="titleNAMIBIA - WINDHOEK">{{cite web |url=http://www.ngw.nl/int/afr/windhoek.htm |title=NAMIBIA - WINDHOEK |accessdate=2008-01-24 |format= |work=}}</ref> [[Image:Stamp Batum 1919 1r tree.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Aloe tree on Batum stamp, 1919.]] An aloe tree appeared on stamps issued in 1919 by [[Batum]], a semi-autonomous region of [[Georgia(country)|Georgia]] in the [[South Caucasus]] region. == See also == *[[List of Southern African indigenous trees]] == Species == <!-- This section is linked from [[Aloe]] --> There are around 400 species in the genus ''Aloe''. For a full list, see [[List of species of genus Aloe]]. Species include: *''[[Aloe arborescens]]'' - Aloe Arborescens Miller, used in healthcare *''[[Aloe aristata]]'' - Torch Plant, Lace Aloe *''[[Aloe dichotoma]]'' - quiver tree or kokerboom *''[[Aloe nyeriensis]]'' *''[[Aloe variegata]]'' - Partridge-breasted Aloe, Tiger Aloe *''[[Aloe vera]]'' Barbados Aloe, Common Aloe, Yellow Aloe, Medicinal Aloe. This is the variety used medicinally. *''[[Aloe wildii]]'' == References == {{reflist|2}} ==External links== {{commons|Aloe}} *[http://www.balashon.com/2008/03/aloe.html Etymology of Aloe] *{{cite web |url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=101163 |title=Aloe in Flora of North America @ efloras.org |accessdate=2008-01-24 |format= |work=}} ==Images== <gallery> Image:Babosa1.jpg|''[[Aloe arborescens]]'' Image:Aloe aristata.jpg|''[[Aloe aristata]]'' Image:Köcherbaum_Köcherbaumwald_01.JPG|''[[Aloe dichotoma]]'' Image:Aloe_hereroensis_Auob_C15.JPG|''[[Aloe hereroensis]]'' Image:Aloe_parvula.JPG|''[[Aloe parvula]]'' Image:Aloe peglerae01.jpg|''[[Aloe peglerae]]'' Image:Aloe_saponaria_1.jpg|''[[Aloe saponaria]]'' Image:Aloe_saponaria_3.jpg|''[[Aloe saponaria]]'' flower Image:Aloe_sophie_plant_and_flowers.jpg|''[[Aloe sophie]]'' Image:AloeSpeciosa.jpg|''[[Aloe speciosa]]'' Image:Aloe_striatula_1.jpg|''[[Aloe striatula]]'' Image:Aloe_rauhii.jpg|''[[Aloe rauhii]] </gallery> [[Category:Aloe]] [[Category:Medicinal plants]] [[Category:Laxatives]] [[Category:Cosmetic chemicals]] [[ar:نبات الصبر]] [[bs:Aloe]] [[bg:Алое]] [[ca:Àloe]] [[da:Aloe]] [[de:Aloen]] [[et:Aaloe]] [[es:Aloe]] [[eo:Aloo]] [[fr:Aloès]] [[he:אלוי]] [[hsb:Wohnjowy alowej]] [[hr:Aloe]] [[it:Aloe (botanica)]] [[kn:ಲೋಳೆ ಸರ]] [[ka:ალოე]] [[lt:Alavijas]] [[nl:Aloë]] [[ja:アロエ]] [[no:Aloe]] [[pl:Aloes]] [[pt:Aloe]] [[ru:Алоэ]] [[sr:Алоје]] [[fi:Aaloet]] [[sv:Aloe]] [[uk:Алое]] [[ur:صَبِر]] [[zh:芦荟]]