<i>Aloe vera</i>―An Extensive Review Focused on Recent Studies
Alessia Catalano,
Jessica Ceramella,
Domenico Iacopetta,
Maria Marra,
Filomena Conforti,
Francesca R. Lupi,
Domenico Gabriele,
Fernanda Borges,
Maria Stefania Sinicropi
Affiliations
Alessia Catalano
Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
Jessica Ceramella
Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
Domenico Iacopetta
Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
Maria Marra
Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
Filomena Conforti
Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
Francesca R. Lupi
Department of Information, Modeling, Electronics and System Engineering, (D.I.M.E.S.), University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, Cubo 39C, CS, 87036 Rende, Italy
Domenico Gabriele
Department of Information, Modeling, Electronics and System Engineering, (D.I.M.E.S.), University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, Cubo 39C, CS, 87036 Rende, Italy
Fernanda Borges
CIQUP-IMS—Centro de Investigação em Química da Universidade do Porto, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
Maria Stefania Sinicropi
Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
Since ancient times, Aloe vera L. (AV) has attracted scientific interest because of its multiple cosmetic and medicinal properties, attributable to compounds present in leaves and other parts of the plant. The collected literature data show that AV and its products have a beneficial influence on human health, both by topical and oral use, as juice or an extract. Several scientific studies demonstrated the numerous biological activities of AV, including, for instance, antiviral, antimicrobial, antitumor, and antifungal. Moreover, its important antidepressant activity in relation to several diseases, including skin disorders (psoriasis, acne, and so on) and prediabetes, is a growing field of research. This comprehensive review intends to present the most significant and recent studies regarding the plethora of AV’s biological activities and an in-depth analysis exploring the component/s responsible for them. Moreover, its morphology and chemical composition are described, along with some studies regarding the single components of AV available in commerce. Finally, valorization studies and a discussion about the metabolism and toxicological aspects of this “Wonder Plant” are reported.
