Aloe has a history of economic and medicinal use that spans thousands of years and is the source of some of the oldest known herbal medicines. This ingredient has been used in many different cultures throughout history for its healing properties. It has been touted as a miracle ingredient for everything from treating acne to improving wrinkles. Aloe vera is also a popular plant for scientific research as many studies are being conducted to investigate its properties and composition. Aloe barbadensis Miller is generally recognized as the “true aloe” because of its wide use and, reportedly, most effective healing power.

Aloe Vera is a very potent medicinal plant. It has a whole array of uses for health and wellness because of its extensive nutritional profile. The nutrients found in Aloe Vera juice can provide some health benefits. It contains essential vitamins like vitamin A (beta carotene), vitamin E, vitamin B12, folic acid (vitamin B), and choline. The plant also contains minerals, calcium, chromium, copper, selenium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, and zinc. The plant is considered unique as it contains a number of beneficial enzymes that help break down sugars and fats. Among others, these enzymes include aliases, amylase, and lipase, which are vital enzymes in the digestion of starches and fats.

Aloe Vera is important in many metabolic activities. The plant produces a colorless extract composed of three fractions of different molecular-sized mucopolysaccharides and two aloin fractions (Aloe-emodin and barbaloin/ isobarbaloin). Most of the analytical methods deal with the determination of the anthraquinone compounds in the latex, and fewer and mostly qualitative methods are available for authentication. To carry out exhaustive quality control of Aloe vera gel products, the following analyses of investigation of authenticity, test for identification of additives, and determination of the aloin should be carried out.

The chemistry of the plant has revealed the presence of more than 200 different biologically active substances. Many biological properties associated with Aloe species are contributed by the inner gel of the leaves. Most research has been centralized on the biological activities of Aloe’s various species, which include antibacterial and antimicrobial activities of the nonvolatile constituents of the leaf gel. Therefore, further research needs to be done to verify its effectiveness in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations. Aloe has also been promoted for constipation, gastrointestinal disorders, and immune system deficiencies.