RESEARCHES of THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE (BABYLON AND RAZI UNIVERSITIES) ( 2011)

Aloe Vera and its applications Mozhgan Molsaghi1, 2, Ahmad Moieni1, Danial Kahrizi2 and Akbar Faramarzi3 Introduction : Aloe vera (Aloe vera L.) belongs to the Liliaceae family, original of the north of Africa and introduced in the Antilles and tropical America where it grows naturally and is sowed commercially (Albany et al‚ 2006). Common names include “Medicine Plant,” “Burn Plant,” “First Aid Plant,” and “Miracle Plant” (Tanabe and Horiuchi‚ 2006). It is one of herbaceous or woody plants, and characterized by stemless, large, thick and fleshy leaves showing lance shaped, a sharp apex and a spiny margin (Steenkamp and Stewart, 2007). A number of biological activities have been reported by Weiner and Weiner, 1994 to substances present in, such as antiseptic (saponins and anthraquinones), antitumoral (mucopolysaccharides), anti inflammatory (steroids and salicylic acid), anti-oxidant (Vitamins) and immune regulator (glucomannans) (Bhojwani and Razdan, 1992). Natural propagation of Aloe vera is primarily by means of auxiliary shoots and it is rather a slow way of multiplication to meet the growing demand. The presence of male sterility is also a barrier in rapid propagation (Natali et al., 1990). The technique of tissue and organ culture is used for rapid multiplication of plants, for genetic improvement of crops, for obtaining disease-free clones and for progressive valuable germplasm (Bhojwani and Razdan, 1992). Several reports have been noticed rapid in vitro propagation of Aloe vera (Meyer and Staden, 1991; Aggarwal and Barna, 2004; Hosseini and Parsa, 2007). Botany Since Aloe has naturalized throughout the tropics and warm regions worldwide, its true origin is not known. It is suspected to have come from North Africa or the Nile region in Sudani The genus contains at least 324 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees, primarily African, with some in Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula. Aloe is a perennial, with 15 to 30 fleshy leaves up to 0.5 m height and 8 to 10 cm across at the base. Saw-like teeth mark the margins of the leaves (Sikarwar Mukesh et al.‚ 2010). Habitat Aloe is fond of warmth and light, even being exposed in sunshine about two months, it will not die, only presents no continuous grow. On the contrary, it is afraid of cold, shady and humidity. It will be frozen and can not grow when environmental temperature is below -10 ºC, if it grows in ponding soil for long time, its roots and leaves will be harmed seriously and become necrotic gradually. More interestingly, Aloe shows strong resistance to drought, salt and poor soil, certainly, it can grow better in loose and fertile soil than in consolidated and nutrient deficient soil. Generally, Aloe can blossom after growing about 2 to 3 years; nevertheless, its proliferation is mainly accomplished by tillering in root due to pollen abortion (Xiaohong et al‚ 2010). 1

Department of Plant Breeding, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran 3 Medicinal Plant Researcher, Kermanshah, Iran 072 2

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RESEARCHES of THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE (BABYLON AND RAZI UNIVERSITIES) ( 2011) Chemical properties : Vitamins: The plant contains many vitamins, including the important antioxidant vitamins A, C and F. Vitamins B (thiamine), niacin, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B12, choline and folic acid (Coats‚ 1979). Enzymes: Biochemical catalysts, such as amylase and lipase, can aid digestion by breaking down fats and sugars. Carboxypeptidase, inactivates bradykinins and produces an anti-inflammatory effect. During the inflammatory process, bradykinin produces pain associated with vasodilation and, therefore, its hydrolysis reduces these two components and produces an analgesic effect (Obata et al 1993, Shelton 1991). Minerals: Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, chromium and iron are all found in the aloe plant. Magnesium lactate inhibits histidine decarboxylase and prevents the formation of histamine from the amino acid, histadine (Shelton‚ 1991). Histamine is released in many allergic reactions and causes intense itching and pain. The prevention of its formation may explain the antipuritic effect of Aloe vera. Sugars: Sugars are derived from the mucilage layer of the plant under the rind, surrounding the inner parenchyma or gel. They form 25 per cent of the solid fraction and comprise both mono- and polysaccharides. The most important are the long chain polysaccharides, comprising glucose and mannose, known as the gluco-mannans. The polysaccharides are absorbed completely and appear in the blood stream unchanged hence they act as immunomodulators (Green‚ 1996; Sheets‚ 1991). Anthraquinones: The bitter aloes consist of free anthraquinones and their derivatives, Barbaloin, aloe- emodin-9anthrone, lsobarbaloin, Anthrone-C-glycosides and chromones. In large amounts these compounds exert a powerful purgative effect, but when smaller they appear to aid absorption from the gut, are potent antimicrobial agents and possess powerful analgesic effects. They also reduce the formation of melanin and any tendency to hyper-pigmentations. Lignin with their penetrative ability to carry other active ingredients deep into the skin to 2010). nourish the dermis (Joseph and Justin Raj Saponins: These soapy substances form 3 per cent of the gel and are general cleansers, having antiseptic properties (Hirat and Suga‚ 1983). Biological functions A gel in the leaves makes an excellent treatment for wounds, burns and other skin disorders, placing a protective coat over the affected area, speeding up the rate of healing and reducing 072 ISSN 2072-3875

RESEARCHES of THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE (BABYLON AND RAZI UNIVERSITIES) ( 2011) the risk of infection (Mukherjee and Roy Chowdhury 2008). Egyptian Manuscripts describe many medicinal values of aloe including applications for treating kidney ailments, blistering, hair loss, constipation, stomach disorders, itching, headaches and hemorroids. Today, it is also 2006). The leaves believed to possess anti-cancer agents (Tanabe and Horiuchi are cut transversally at the base to yield a yellow exudate that contains substances, such as antiseptic (saponins and anthraquinones), anti-tumoral (mucopolysaccharides), anti-inflammatory (steroids and salicylic acid), anti-oxidant (vitamins), and immune-regulator (glucomannans)‚ AIDS virus (acemannan) effects (Kalimuthu et al 2010). Some genotypes of aloe . (the bitter aloes) can also be taken internally to treat chronic constipation, poor appetite, and to cure digestion-related disorders. (Mangal et al.‚ 2010). It moisturizes the skin because it has a water holding capacity. This moist the skin and also has a cooling effect. As a drink it protects the mucous membrane of the stomach especially when irritated or damaged. A. vera juice is considered helpful for relieving many types of gastrointestinal irritation and juice products are widely available. In Germany, concentrated extracts of dried Aloe leaves are used as laxative preceeding rectal surgery and as a hemorrhoid treatment (Agarry et al.‚ 2005). Tissue culture : Sexual reproduction by seeds due to male sterility in Aloe vera is almost not effective and vegetative propagation through lateral shoots only possible during growing seasons. Generally it is known that 3 to 4 lateral shoots/donor plant/year are produced in conventional systems, that is not sufficient to meet the demand of pharmaceutical industries (Kalimuthu1 et al.‚ 2010). Roy and Sakar (1991) suggest that in vitro culture may be used as a fast propagation technique of Aloe Vera. The aim of this research is to develop a methodology for a micro propagation technique of Aloe Vera Most of the reported Aloe micropropagation studies described factors affecting axillary bud proliferation using mainly underground stems as explants (Gui et al., 1990; Roy and Sarkar, 1991; Kawai et al., 1993; Corneanu et al., 1994; Hirimburegama and Gamage, 1995). Kalimuthu and his colleagues (2010) reported MS medium containing 1.5 mg l1 , BAP and 50 mg l-1 AS (Adenine sulphate) gave the highest multiplication. Shoot proliferation was found best in MS medium containing IBA 2.0 mg/l, BAP 0.1 mg\l, KIN 0.5 mg/l and 2008). NAA 0.2 mg/l (Mukherjee and RoyChowdhury It was also reported that the highest shoot multiplication in Aloe vera was found in MS medium containing IAA 0.1 mg/l and Kin 1 mg/l (Molsaghi et al.‚ 2010). The study of Mangal and his colleagues (2010) callus proliferation of Aloe vera revealed that the best result was obtained on the medium supplemented with 1.5 mg l−1 of 2,4-D, 0.25 mg l−1 of Kinetin (Kin). Long and his colleagues (2007) reported the perfect combination of plant growth regulators for callus induction was “4.0 mg/L 6-BA + 0.25 mg/L NAA + 3.0 mg/L 2, 4-D + 0.5 mg/L IBA”. As for Aloe tissue culture, different parts of plant possess different callus induction rate and regeneration ability, and stem segment is considered as the best explant. References : Agarry, O.O; Olaleye, M.T; (2005). Comparative Antimicrobial Activities of Aloe vera gel and leaf. Afr. J. Biotechnol. 4(12):1413-1414. Aggarwal‚ D., Barna‚ KS.‚ (2004). Tissue culture propagation of elite plant of Aloe vera L. J Plant Biochem Biotech. 13: 77- 79. 070 ISSN 2072-3875

RESEARCHES of THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE (BABYLON AND RAZI UNIVERSITIES) ( 2011) Albany‚ N.‚ Vilchez‚ J.‚ (2006). A methodology for the in vitro propagation of Aloe vera L. Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 23: 211-219. Bhojwani‚ S.S., Razdan‚ MK.‚ (1992). Plant tissue culture: theory and practice. Elsevier, Amsterdam, London, New York, Tokyo. Coast, B.C., (1979). The Silent Healer, A modern study of Aloe vera. Texas. Garland. Corneanu‚ M., Corneanu.‚ (1994). In vitro organogenesis of Aloe arborescencs (Liliaceae). Revue Roumaine de Biologie. 39: 45-52. Green‚ K., Tasi‚ J.,(1996). Effect of aloe vera on corneal epithelial wound healing. Journal of Toxicology-Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology . 15:301-4. Gui YI, Xu TY., Gu SR, Liu SQ., (1990). Studies on stem tissue culture and rganogenesis of Aloe vera. Acta Bot Sinica. 32: 606-610. Hirat‚ T., Suga‚ T., (1983).The efficiency of aloe plants, chemical constituents and biological activities. Cosmetics and Toiletries. 98: 105-108. Hirimburegama‚ K., Gamage‚ N.‚ (1995). In vitro multiplication of Aloe vera meristem tips for mass propagation. Hort. Sci. 27: 15-18. Hosseini, R., Parsa, M., (2007). Micropropagation of Aloe vera L. Grown in South Iran. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences. 10: 1134-1137. Joseph, B., Justin Raj, S., (2010). Pharmacognostic and phytochemical properties of Aloe vera Linn. ISSN 0976 – 044X. 4(2): 106-110. Kalimuthu, K., Vijyakumar, S., (2010). Micropropagation of Aloe vera Linn. A Medicinal Plant. International Journal of Biotechnology and Biochemistry. 6:405-410. Kawai‚ K., Beppu‚ H., (1993). Tissue culture of Aloe arborescence Mill. var. Natalensis. Berger. Phytotherapy Res. 7: 5-10. Long‚ WX., Yang‚ XB., (2007). A review of research in tissue culture of Aloe. Subtropical Plant Sci. 36(1): 70-74. Mangal‚ S.‚ Rathore‚ J.‚ (2010). Plantlet Regeneration from Callus Cultures of Selected Genotype of Aloe vera L.—An Ancient Plant for Modern Herbal Industries. Appl iochem Biotechnol. 163(7): 860-868.. Mayer‚ H.J.‚ Staden‚ J.V.‚ (1991). Rapid in vitro propagation of Aloe barbadensis Mill. Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture. 26:167-171. Molsaghi‚ M.‚ Moieni‚ A.‚ (2010). A method for rapid micropropagation of Aloe vera L. Razi university Research Conference. December 2010. Mukherjee, A., Roychowdhury, B., (2008). The in vitro propagation of Aloe vera sp. TIG Research Journal. 1(2): 116-119. Natali‚ I., Sanchez‚ IC., (1990). In vitro culture of Aloe barbadensis Mill. Micropropagation from vegetative meristem. Plant Cell, Tiss. Org. Cult. 20: 41-47. Obata‚ M., Masafumi‚ O.‚ (1993). Mechanisms of anti-inflammatory and anti thermal burn action of carboxypeptidase from aloe aborescens miller. Natalensis berger in rats and mice. Physiotherapy Research. 7: 530-533. Roy, S. C., Sarkar, A.‚ (1991). In vitro regeneration and micropropagation of Aloe vera L. Scientia Horticulturae.47:107–113. Shelton‚ MS., (1991). Aloe Vera, its chemical and therapeutic properties. International Journal of Dermatology. 30: 679-683. 072 ISSN 2072-3875

RESEARCHES of THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE (BABYLON AND RAZI UNIVERSITIES) ( 2011) Sikarwar Mukesh‚ S.‚ Patil‚ M. B.‚ (2010). Aloe vera: Plant of Immortality. International Journal of Pharma Sciences and Research (IJPSR). 1(1): 7-10. Steenkamp, V., Stewart, MJ., (2007). Medicinal applications and toxicological ctivities of Aloe products. Pharmaceut. Biol. 45(5): 411- 420. Tanabe, M., Horiuchi, K., (2006). Aloe barbadensis Mill. Ex vitro Autotrophic culture. J. Hawajian Pacific Agric. 13: 55-59. Weiner, M., Weiner, J. A., (1994). Herbs that Heal. Mill Valley: Quantum Books. Z.Pflanzenphysiol. 75: 270-272. Xiaohong, L., Jun, L., (2010). Biological research advancement in Aloe. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research. 5(7): 1046-1052.

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