Short review on composition and medicinal applications of aloe-vera.

The silent healer Aloe vera has a wide use from the Rigvedic times. The plant requires warm climatic conditions thus mainly grown in Europe, Africa, Asia and India. They don't need much water therefore grow in dry regions like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Phytochemicals are the natural bioactive compounds found in different parts of a plant comprising to plant's biological activity. The chemistry of this plant has disclosed more than 200 different bioactive compounds which have a great therapeutic property. Not only this but it contains 7 of the 8 essential amnio acids which cannot be made in the body. The most important part is the inner leaf part holding a great number of phytochemicals. About 60% of the plants comprises of the polysaccharide's which have anthraquinones, saponins aloe emodin and other important substances. Aloe vera plants are believed to be an important source of medicines which are effective in the therapy against various illness and thus regarded as a gift from the nature. Its leaves have a characteristic bitter taste and are used as an alternative in gastritis, arthritis, eye disease, tumor, asthma, jaundice. Pharmacologically it is regarded as an immunity booster and works as a detoxifying agent. The gel extracted from the plant is used in medical, cosmetic, and nutraceutical applications. So, we can say that the plant has multiple use and is a best gift of nature to humanity. This review paper makes an attempt to revisit the history, constituents and some of the important medicinal application of Aloe vera in recent studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]