A review of the chemistry of some species of genus Aloe (Xanthorrhoeaceae family)

In recent years, the focus on plant research has increased all over the world and a large body of evidence has collected to show immense potential of medicinal plants used in various traditional systems. In the traditional systems of medicine, most of the remedies were taken from plants and they were proved to be useful. Aloe genus, which belongs to the family Xanthorrhoeaceae, produces a number of metabolites in good yields and some have been shown to possess useful biological activities. Over 130 compounds belonging to different classes, including anthrones, chromones, pyrones, coumarins, alkaloids, glycoproteins, naphthalenes and flavonoids have so far been reported from the genus. This review focuses on ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Aloe genus to allow an evaluation of the potential for utilization of the largest biomass of Aloe genus available.