Micromorphological and Phytochemical Studies of <i>Aloe barbadensis</i> Mill Root

Abstract

In Siddha system of medicine dried roots of Aloe barbadensis Mill. Synonyms Aloe vera Tourn ex Linn. Aloe indica Royle belonging to family Liliaceae is known as Kumari Ver. Aloe vera is the oldest medicinal plant ever known and the most applied medicinal plant worldwide. The plant produces at least six antiseptic agents such as lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenols and sulphur. All of these substances are recognized as antiseptics because they kill or control mold, bacteria, fungus and viruses, hence has the ability to eliminate many internal and external skin infections. The morphological and anatomical characteristics of the root were investigated by hand sectioning and then camera lucida diagrams to ascertain the relevance of these characters in establishment of interspecific similarities and differences in the taxa. The results showed that there is many layered cork cells followed by cortex and a vascular bundle with radial arrangement and exarch xylem. Although, the size and number of vascular bundles are varying the presence of one or two raphide bundles and starch grains is prominent. Phytochemical screening reveal the presence of tannin, saponin and flavonoids. These features both anatomy and phytochemistry clearly help in identification of this plant.