Current status of Aloe-based nanoparticle fabrication, characterization and their application in some cutting-edge areas

Abstract

Aloe is a genus of flowering succulent plants (with above 500 species) found in the eastern Indian Ocean Islands, Madagascar, the Arabian Peninsula, and African continent. In recent years, Aloe genus have received much attention for their therapeutic benefits. Aloe genus contains several phytoconstituents. For instance, carotenoids, anthraquinone, fatty acids, phenolic acids, and sterols were isolated from Aloe aculeata, Aloe ferox, Aloe saponaria, Aloe legnica and Aloe vera. Similarly, polyphenols, flavonoids, and flavonols were reported in Aloe marlothii and Aloe melanacantha. All these phytochemicals play a vital role in nanoparticle (NP) fabrication. The functional group present in them act as a reducing agent which convert metal ions into metal or metal-oxide NPs. NPs obtained from different Aloe plants have shown various biological and other applications. For example, silver NPs fabricated from Aloe vera extract exhibited antibacterial, antioxidant, wound healing, and catalytic activities. Selenium NPs synthesized from Aloe vera showed antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. Titanium dioxide NPs obtained from Aloe barbadensis and Aloe vera are also examined for their antibiofilm potential and photocatalytic activities, respectively. Overall, this review aims to provide an updated information on Aloe-based NPs fabrication (both metal and metal-oxide), characterization and their application in some cutting-edge areas.