A chemotaxonomic and morphological appraisal of Aloe series Purpurascentes, Aloe section Anguialoe and their hybrid, Aloe broomii

Evidence is presented to suggest the hybrid origin of Aloe broomii, with the one putative parent belonging to Aloe series Purpurascentes and the other a member of Aloe series Anguialoe. A chemotaxonomic and morphological assessment is presented for both infrageneric groups and their hypothesised hybrid. Four of the species belonging to the series Purpurascentes display a characteristic leaf exudate profile containing the chemotaxonomic marker microstigmin. Aloe gariepensis and A. succotrina lack the diagnostic leaf exudate compounds. The distinct morphological apomorphies for Aloe section Anguialoe are supported on the chemical level reinforcing the monophyly of this group.     

The occurrence and taxonomic distribution of the anthrones aloin, aloinoside and microdontin in Aloe

A chemotaxonomic survey of 380 species of Aloe indicated the presence of the anthrone isomers aloin A and B together with the aloinoside isomers and microdontin A and B in 36 (10%) species of Aloe. This group, referred to as the microdontin chemotype, is thus characterised by a combination of exudate compounds and not merely a single phytochemical marker, implying taxonomic significance of leaf exudate compounds. The 36 representatives of the group occupy disparate taxonomic positions in the largely artificial hierarchy of the present classification system. Although many of the species have previously been considered as related (based on macromorphology only), a large number of species have not been associated with one another before. The chemical profiles and leaf exudate compositions of the species are presented, followed by a brief summary of the morphological diversity. Whilst conceding the possibility of convergent evolution, the geographical distribution of the species and thoughts on possible relationships between the taxa are discussed.     

Three oxanthrones from Aloe littoralis

The leaf exudate of Aloe littoralis yielded, in addition to the known 10-hydroxyaloin B, two new C-glucoside oxanthrones namely 10-hydroxy-15-O-(2R,3S-nilyl)(6′-O-acetyl)aloin B (littoraloin) and 10-hydroxy-15-O-(2R,3S- nilyl)aloin B (deacetyllittoraloin). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods as well as by conversion to the known 10-hydroxyaloin B and nilic acid.     

The phytochemical profile and identification of main phenolic compounds from the leaf exudate of Aloe secundiflora by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy

The phytochemical profile of Aloe secundiflora (Aloeaceae) and the identity of eight major compounds, including the two main constituents, have been determined from the leaf exudate of this ethnoveterinary used species from Kenya and Tanzania. Analytical HPLC-MS studies of the exudate have revealed that it comprises a mixture of phenolic compounds, mainly anthrones (aloenin, aloenin B, isobarbaloin, barbaloin and other aloin derivatives), chromones and phenylpyrones with a low content of polysaccharides and aliphatic compounds. The high percentage of anthrones in the exudate could provide a first line of evidence for the use of the plant in ethnoveterinary practices.     

Identification of major metabolites in Aloe littoralis by high-performance liquid chromatography-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Examination of the leaf exudate of the South African species Aloe littoralis by reversed-phase HPLC revealed the presence of two major metabolites. The identification of the two compounds without isolation was attempted by HPLC-NMR based on separation using a C18 column eluting with a deuterium oxide:acetonitrile solvent gradient and an inverse HPLC-NMR probe. For each compound, one-dimensional proton spectra, and two-dimensional homonuclear COSY and TOCSY, and heteronuclear HSQC and HMBC, spectra were collected. On the basis of the data obtained, the metabolites were characterised as 10-hydroxyaloin B and deacetyllittoraloin.     

芦荟维管束的结构与芦荟素积累的相关性

应用半薄切片、组织化学、荧光显微镜观察和薄层层析 (TLC)相结合的方法研究了中华芦荟 (Aloeve-ra L.var.chinensis)、木立芦荟 (Aloe arborescens)叶和茎内维管束的结构及其与芦荟素积累的关系。结果表明 ,木立芦荟叶内维管束和中华芦荟叶内外轮的维管束中有大型韧皮薄壁细胞 ,而木立芦荟茎和中华芦荟叶中内轮维管束无大型韧皮薄壁细胞。组织化学结果表明 ,用醋酸铅处理过的上述材料 ,大型韧皮薄壁细胞内出现沉淀物 ;在荧光显微镜下经蓝光激发 ,大型韧皮薄壁细胞发出桔黄色荧光 ,都显示出芦荟素反应。薄层层析(TLC)结果证明 ,木立芦荟和中华芦荟叶含有大型韧皮薄壁细胞的维管束都含芦荟素 ,而木立芦荟茎及中华芦荟叶中内轮维管束都不含芦荟素。为此 ,维管束中的大型韧皮薄壁细胞与芦荟素的积累密切相关 ,维管束中是否有大型韧皮薄壁细胞可作为判断是否含有芦荟素的解剖学指标。     

Growth, soluble carbohydrates, and aloin concentration of Aloe vera plants exposed to three irradiance levels

Research was conducted on Aloe vera, a traditional medicinal plant, to investigate the effects of light on growth, carbon allocation, and the concentrations of organic solutes, including soluble carbohydrates and aloin. The plants were vegetatively propagated and grown under three irradiances: full sunlight, partial (30% full sunlight), and deep shade (10% full sunlight) for 12-18 months. After 1 year of growth, five plants from each treatment were harvested to determine total above- and below ground dry mass. Four plants from the full sunlight and the partial shade treatments were harvested after 18 months to assess the soluble carbohydrate, organic acid and aloin concentrations of the clear parenchyma gel and the yellow leaf exudate, separately. Plants grown under full sunlight produced more numerous and larger axillary shoots, resulting in twice the total dry mass than those grown under partial shade. The dry mass of the plants grown under deep shade was 8.6% that of plants grown under full sunlight. Partial shade increased the number and length of leaves produced on the primary shoot, but leaf dry mass was still reduced to 66% of that in full sunlight. In contrast, partial and deep shade reduced root dry mass to 28 and 13%, respectively, of that under full sunlight, indicating that carbon allocation to roots was restricted under low light conditions. When plants were sampled 6 months later, there were only minor treatment effects on the concentration of soluble carbohydrates and aloin in the leaf exudate and gel. Soluble carbohydrate concentrations were greater in the gel than in the exudate, with glucose the most abundant soluble carbohydrate. Aloin was present only in the leaf exudate and higher irradiance did not induce a higher concentration. Limitation in light availability primarily affected total dry mass production and allocation, without substantial effects on either primary or secondary carbon metabolites.     

芦荟属植物叶内蒽醌类物质的分布与其化学防御的关系

芦荟属植物是一类生长在干旱或半干旱沙漠环境的肉质植物,木立芦荟和海藻芦荟的肉质叶的植物研究结果表明,叶内含高浓度的芦荟素,高那特芦荟素,芦荟苦素和芦荟宁等蒽醌类物质,其中,海莱芦荟整叶的蒽醌类物质总含量占其泌出物干重的44．89％。两种芦荟叶内蒽醌类物质的分布有共同的规律,即幼叶的含量高于老叶;叶上部的含量高于中,基部,叶缘则高于叶的中央。但由于木立芦荟和海莱芦荟的个体形态不同,蒽醌类物质的分布在种间还存在各自的特点,根据实验结果推测,蒽醌类物质在芦荟属植物体内的累积和分布与其化学防御机制有关。     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> antileishmanial activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aloe vera</Emphasis> leaf exudate: A potential herbal therapy in leishmaniasis

Aloe vera has wide spread use in health products, and despite several reports on the whole plant and inner gel, little work has been performed on the leaf exudate. Our aim was to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of Aloe vera leaf exudate (AVL) in leishmaniasis. Irrespective of the disease manifestation, promastigotes from strains responsible for cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral leishmaniasis were susceptible to AVL and their IC₅₀ ranged from 100 to 180 μg/ml. In axenic amastigotes cultured from a L. donovani strain 2001 responsible for visceral leishmaniasis, the IC₅₀ was 6.0 μg/ml. AVL caused activation of host macrophages evident by an increased release of members of reactive oxygen species that was attenuated by preincubation with free radical scavengers. Collectively, our data indicates that AVL, via its direct leishmanicidal activity which can be further enhanced by activation of host macrophages, is an effective antileishmanial agent meriting further pharmacological investigations.     

增强UV-B辐射对3种芦荟蒽醌类物质含量的影响

以中华芦荟、库拉索芦荟和木立芦荟为试验材料,采用HPLC技术,研究了增强UV-B辐射对3种芦荟叶片中主要药用成分总蒽醌、芦荟素和芦荟大黄素含量的影响。结果显示:增强UV-B辐射20 d,每天处理6 h,库拉索芦荟和木立芦荟叶中总蒽醌、芦荟素、芦荟大黄素的含量增加,叶提取物中出峰数量增多,总峰面积增大;而中华芦荟中蒽醌类物质含量显著降低,叶提取物中出峰数量减少,总峰面积减少。研究表明,增强UV-B辐射能刺激库拉索芦荟和木立芦荟叶片中蒽醌类物质的积累和新物质的合成,而不利于中华芦荟蒽醌类物质的积累。     

芦荟属植物种间杂交及其F_1代POD同工酶鉴定

以芦荟属植物元江芦荟和皂质芦荟为亲本进行远缘有性杂交试验。正交对3株103朵小花进行授粉,获得7枚果实,平均结实率为6.80%;反交对2株88朵小花授粉,获得5枚果实,平均结实率为5.88%。获得了19株F1代实生苗,并对亲本和F1代实生苗以及库拉索芦荟、华芦荟等5种芦荟属植物进行了过氧化物酶同工酶(POD)的比较研究,结果显示,5种芦荟种间的POD同工酶酶谱具有较高的相似程度,同时各种又具有各自的特征酶带,很容易区分。特别是F1代实生苗的酶谱与父母本的酶谱有显著不同的酶带,证明产生了新的中间类型。     

芦荟属3种植物不同叶龄、不同部位叶内蒽醌类物质含量及其变化的研究

用植物化学技术研究了3种芦荟属植物不同叶龄和不同部位叶中蒽醌类物质的含量及其变化。结果表明,被研究的芦荟属3种植物叶中主含的蒽醌类物质有：芦荟素或高那特芦荟素,芦荟宁和芦荟苦素。其中,中华芦荟和木立芦荟主含芦荟素;海莱芦荟主含高那特芦荟素。叶各部位详细分析的结果表明,蒽醌类物质在植株上部的嫩叶中的含量要高于下部老叶;同一叶中,叶尖高于叶中部,叶基含量最低;而叶缘含量高于叶的中央部分。在同一叶的横切面上,蒽醌类物质的含量在维管柬区最高,同化薄壁组织部分次之,储水组织部分最低。芦荟属植物在同一个植物体不同的叶之间,以及同一叶不同的位置间有规律的累积蒽醌类物质有重要的生物学意义。它是保证芦荟属植物在原产地的干旱和半干旱生活环境中得以良好生存的适应反应和化学防御机制。     

Isolation and characterization of novel protein with anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties from Aloe vera leaf gel

The Aloe protein of 14 kDa from the Aloe vera leaf gel was isolated by an ion exchange chromatography using DEAE-cellulose and CM-cellulose column. The purified Aloe protein exhibited a potent anti-fungal activity against Candida paraprilosis, Candida krusei and Candida albicans. In addition, the purified Aloe protein also showed an anti-inflammatory property against pure lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase-2 with 84% and 73% inhibition, respectively, and was verified by binding with these proteins by real time method by the phenomenon of surface plasmon resonance. This Aloe protein is a novel protein possessing antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties and thus sets a platform to be used as a medicinal plant product.     

Secretory tissues in the East African shrubby aloes

Examination of Aloe leaf sections revealed the presence of three types of cells at the phloem pole of the vascular bundles, aloin cells, outer bundle sheath cells and fibres. Three species contain fibres alone and produce a sparse exudate with few components staining purple with Fast Blue B on thin-layer chromatograms. The majority of species have aloin cells of various sizes and in the tetraploid species these produce a copious exudate containing anthraquinone and chromone derivatives. It is suggested that the aloin cells act as storage tissue and that the compounds are synthesized in the surrounding layer of cells of smaller diameter, many of which can be seen to contain globules of unknown constitution. Anatomical observations support the idea that the shrubby tetraploid Aloe species are derived from a form similar to the diploid Aloe morijensis. Two forms of this species have been described, one with fibres only and few exudate components and another with both fibres and aloin cells and an exudate containing compounds of the tetraploid species. A line of diploid plants similar in anatomy and chemistry to the first form is represented by A. fibrosa and A. babatiensis while a line of tetraploids with affinities to the second form is represented by A. nyeriensis, A. cheranganiensis, A. elgonica, A. dawei and A.yavellana.     

Comparative chromatographic patterns of leaf exudate components from Aloe Section Pachydendron Haw

Leaf exudates from individuals of 29 species included in Aloe Section Pachydendron have been separated by TLC and HPLC to reveal their phenolic components. All the zones are described by their chromatographic behaviour and UV absorption properties, but not all can be identified as known compounds so are distinguished by an arbitrary code. Section Pachydendron has been shown to be chemically heterogeneous akhough there are some correlations between species said to be taxonomically related. Without attaching taxonomic significance four chemical groupings can be discerned: (1) species in which chromones are prominent; (2) species in which andirone and anthraquinone glycosides are prominent; (3) species containing mainly purple-staining phenolic compounds; and (4) species with few leaf exudate phenolic compounds. This survey emphasizes the uncertain taxonomy of the Section and the need for more extensive collection and analysis.     

Effect of Aloe vera (L.) Burm. fil. leaf gel and pulp extracts on kidney in type-II diabetic rat models

Significant degenerative changes were observed in the kidney tissue of untreated neonatal streptozotocin (n0STZ)-induced type-II diabetic rats. These degenerative changes were diminished in the kidney tissue of diabetic animals given glibenclamide and Aloe leaf gel and pulp extracts. Kidney lipid peroxidation levels were increased in diabetic rats compared to healthy rats; these levels were higher in rats treated with glibenclamide than in those which received Aloe extracts. Serum urea and creatinine levels were higher in diabetic rats in comparison to healthy rats. The administration of Aloe gel extract and glibenclamide decreased serum urea and creatinine levels in comparison to diabetic controls. Only A. vera leaf gel extract showed improvement both in histological and biochemical parameters suggesting a protective effect of A. vera on mild damage caused by type-II diabetes on kidney tissue.     

First report of Phoma betae on Aloe vera in India

Leaf spot disease of A. vera was observed in nurseries of Gwalior city afterthe post-rainy season. As the disease progressed, the tip of the leaf shrank, then dried and eventually broke. The causal agent was identified as Phoma betae A.B. Frank. This is the first report of leaf spot disease on Aloe vera caused by P. betae in India.     

Screening methods used to determine the anti-microbial properties of Aloe vera inner gel

The emergence of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains is a growing problem and is an important concern for patients, physicians, healthcare managers, and policymakers as it results in poorer health and economic outcomes. This has led to an urgent global call for new antimicrobial drugs, particularly from natural resources. We have been studying the antimicrobial properties of the inner leaf gel component of Aloe barbadensis Miller and have used a number of different, simple in vitro assays to establish a scientific basis for the potential use of Aloe vera on a range of clinically relevant bacteria. The bacteria used include Shigella flexneri, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Enterobacter cloacae and Enterococcus bovis. In this paper, we compare standard methods recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) with a microtitre assay using a metabolic colour indicator Alamar blue. All the techniques described have shown that Aloe vera has an antimicrobial effect, however, the microtitre assay enables high throughput screening, under similar conditions and is less wasteful of plant material.     

Evidence of Alternaria alternata Causing Leaf Spot of Aloe vera in Iran

A leaf spot and leaf blight disease was observed on Aloe vera plants as small, circular to oval dark brown necrotic sunken spots on leaves. Infected tissues collected from different sites in diseased fields were cultured on potato carrot agar medium, and the pathogen was identified as Alternaria alternata on the basis of morphological and cultural characteristics. The conidiophores were branched, straight, golden brown, smooth‐walled, measuring up to μm long by 3 μm wide with one conidial scar. The conidia were golden brown in colour and produced in long branched chains, obclavate in shape and in short conical flask. Pathogenicity tests conducted on healthy potted aloe plants in a glasshouse showed typical leaf spot symptoms after 4–7 days. The optimal temperature for the growth of A. alternata was 25°C.     

6'-O-Coumaroylaloesin from Aloe castanea--a taxonomic marker for Aloe section Anguialoe

The structure of 6'-O-coumaroylaloesin [2-acetonyl-8-(6-O-coumaroyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-7-hydrox y-5-methylchromone], a mono-ester chromone derivative in which only the 6-position of the glucosyl moiety is esterified, was determined by spectroscopic methods. The compound is a unique chemotaxonomic character restricted to the six species in Aloe section Anguialoe.