Aloe Saponaria Research Articles

A potential microbial control for fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium)

Diseased fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) plants were collected in Quebec and organisms isolated from these plants were evaluated as potential biocontrol agents. Thirteen pathogenic fungi were isolated and three of these (Colletotrichum dematium, Seimatosporium kriegerianum, and Alternaria alternata) were virulent in initial screening assays. C. dematium was selected for further study because it was the most virulent pathogen, causing large necrotic lesions on leaves and stems of infected plants. Inoculum production was optimized on modified malt extract agar and the virulence enhanced by suppression of the conidial matrix with tannic acid and the addition of extracts of Aloe saponaria. The fungus was pathogenic to fireweed and E. lanceolatum, while other test species were very resistant or immune. Measurements of conidial and appressorial dimensions and its restricted host range support the hypothesis that the isolate may be an unreported form-species. Application of formulated conidia consistently provided 100% mortality of 7-wk-old inoculated fireweed rosettes within 48 h using 109 conidia m-2, from 10- to 15-d-old inoculum, and a 18- to 24-h dew period. Virulence was diminished in older plants. In field trials, growth of inoculated rosettes was reduced by 33%. These results suggest that C. dematium is a promising candidate for further development as a control agent for seedling fireweed in silviculture.

Mannan from Aloe saponaria inhibits tumoral cell activation and proliferation

In this study, we tested the antiproliferative effects of mannan from Aloe saponaria using normal murine (SpMC) and human cells (PBMC) and several tumoral cell lines. Employing flow cytometry, it could be determined that mannan inhibits the proliferative response in normal and tumoral cells. Mannan affects the expression of CD3 + SpMC indicating that mannan inhibits mainly T lymphocyte proliferative response. Also in SpMC cultured with or without mitogen mannan produces an increase of an activation marker (CD25). On C1498 cell line, mannan reduces CD3 expression and abolishes the CD25 expression. In conclusion, mannan has a dual beneficial effect when applied to normal and tumoral cells at the same time by inhibiting the activation of cancer cells and improving that of normal ones.

Polypeptides of the Three Major Medicinal Aloes

Major polypeptide species of proteins have been identified and analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in fresh extracts of the gel portion of mature leaves of Aloe saponaria Haw, Aloe barbadensis Miller, and Aloe arborescens Miller var. natalensis Berger. Extracts of gel from freshly cut Aloe leaves were prepared by dissection, tissue disruption, ethanol extraction, differential centrifugation, and gel filtration methods. Comparisons of SDS-PAGE profiles of Aloe leaf gels showed that all three medicinal Aloes share five major common polypetides. Other results indicated that Aloe saponaria and Aloe barbadensis share the most major polypeptides, i.e. 11, and Aloe barbadensis and Aloe arborescens the least, i.e. 5, while Aloe arborescens had three individual polypeptides not found in the other two species. This is the first report to describe the nature and types of polypeptides detected in extracts of leaf gel portions of mature Aloe plants of these three medicinal species. Accordingly, this report may be of considerable value in helping to identify and characterize those Aloe substances of medicinal importance which are associated with each or all of these medicinal Aloes.

Polypeptides of the Three Major Medicinal Aloes

Major polypeptide species of proteins have been identified and analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in fresh extracts of the gel portion of mature leaves of Aloe saponaria Haw, Aloe barbadensis Miller, and Aloe arborescens Miller var. natalensis Berger. Extracts of gel from freshly cut Aloe leaves were prepared by dissection, tissue disruption, ethanol extraction, differential centrifugation, and gel filtration methods. Comparisons of SDS-PAGE profiles of Aloe leaf gels showed that all three medicinal Aloes share five major common polypetides. Other results indicated that Aloe saponaria and Aloe barbadensis share the most major polypeptides, i.e. 11, and Aloe barbadensis and Aloe arborescens the least, i.e. 5, while Aloe arborescens had three individual polypeptides not found in the other two species. This is the first report to describe the nature and types of polypeptides detected in extracts of leaf gel portions of mature Aloe plants of these three medicinal species. Accordingly, this report may be of considerable value in helping to identify and characterize those Aloe substances of medicinal importance which are associated with each or all of these medicinal Aloes.

Polypeptides of Aloe barbadensis miller

AbstractMajor polypeptide species of proteins have been identified and analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in fresh extracts of the whole leaf, leaf gel, root and stalk portions of Aloe barbadensis Miller plants of immature, young and mature ages. Extracts of the fresh Aloe plant portions were prepared by dissection, tissue disruption, differential centrifugation and gel filtration methods. Extracted plant portions analysed by separation electrophoresis were also assayed by biochemical and immunological techniques for the presence of lectin associated reactions, i.e. agglutination or mitogenicity. Results of the separation electrophoresis analysis of extracts prepared from fresh whole leaves and leaf gel of mature Aloe barbadensis Miller plants revealed 23 identifiable different polypeptides. Molecular weights of these polypeptides, calculated from sets of molecular weight reference standards, ranged from 70 000 for the largest to 3000 for the smallest. Electrophoresis profiles of commercially processed and freshly processed Aloe barbadensis Miller and Aloe saponaria Haw leaf gel extracts revealed similar patterns for major peptides. Treatment of mature whole Aloe leaf extracts with acidic and alkaline conditions revealed distinct changes in pH stability of ten peptides. Comparisons of separation electrophoresis profiles of fresh extracts of Aloe whole leaves and of leaf gel portions revealed marked differences in both molecular weights and concentrations of peptides found in extracts from mature, young or immature plants. This report is the first to describe the nature and types of polypeptides detected in extracts of whole leaf, leaf gel, stalk and root portions of immature, young and mature Aloe plants. Accordingly, information in this report may be of considerable value in helping to identify and characterize Aloe substances present during processing in extracts and in products.

Immunoreactive lectins in leaf gel from Aloe barbadensis Miller

AbstractLectins isolated from the gel portion of leaves of Aloe barbadensis Miller by differential centrifugations and gel filtration were found to have strong haemagglutination and mitogenic activities. Haemagglutination titres induced by these lectins were markedly higher than those induced by lectins isolated similarly from Aloe saponaria Haw and Aloe chinesis. The levels of lymphocyte blastogenesis using the Aloe barbadensis Miller lectins were high, but markedly less than those detected using positive control lectins concanavalin A and phytohae‐magglutinin. Results of Western blot transfers followed by immunoblots using specific receptor antisera suggested that the Aloe barbadensis Miller lectins were active at alpha D‐glucose and mannose sites and not at n‐acetyl glucosamine sites. The haemagglutination activities of these Aloe substances were also observed to decrease as a function of time frozen at liquid nitrogen temperatures for up to 9 years.

Legacy of the chameleon: Edible wild plants in the kingdom of Swaziland, Southern Africa. A cultural, ecological, nutritional study. Part III ‐ Cultural and ecological analysis

This paper presents cultural and ecological data on division of labor, collection, storage and the use of edible wild plants. Primary responsibility for the collection of plants is with women. Most collecting occurs just before mealtime. Usually only enough for one meal is gathered. Swazi seldom mark favorite localities where wild plants are obtained; to do so is considered selfish. Of 211 adults surveyed, 50 cultivated edible wild species in household gardens; Momordica spp. and Aloe saponaria were grown most commonly. Trade and exchange of wild species was common between neighbors. While only 25 % sold wild species, 46 % reported regular purchases. A significant association was found between increasing age and the number of species utilized. School age Swazi children, however, knew more total species than adults in the Middleveld ecological zone. Swazi males recognized significantly fewer species than females; immigrants fewer than ethnic Swazi. While Swazi diet focuses on white maize, 39% of adults interviewed reported greater annual consumption of wild plants than domesticated species. Nonetheless, a stigma is attached to eating wild species: 21 % would not serve them to guests; five were taboo to Swazi having specific family names; Swazi women, generally, do not consume edible wild fruits when visiting their prospective mothers‐in‐law.

Structure Determination of Polysaccharides in Aloe saponaria(Hill.) Haw. (Liliaceae)

□ Neutral polysaccharides that inhibit carrageenin-induced edema in rats were isolated from the nondialysate of the pulp of Aloe saponaria by gel filtration. These were shown to be a linear polymer of a 1,4-linked β-D-mannopyranose (mol. wt. 15,000) containing 18% acetyl groups (As mannan 1), and a 1,4-linked α-D-mannopyranose polymer containing a single branch on the principal chain consisting of D-glucose residues linked at C-2 and C-4 (mol. wt. 66,000), with 10% acetyl groups (As mannan 2). As mannan 1 inhibited carrageenin-induced hind paw edema at 50mg/kg ip in rats; As mannan 2 was not tested for pharmacological activity. A crude preparation of both As mannans was effective when given intraperitoneally, but was ineffective when given orally.

Formation of tetrahydroanthracene glucosides by callus tissue of Aloe saponaria

Callus tissue of Aloe saponaria grown in the dark produced a new tetrahydroanthracene glucoside, 1-oxo-2-methoxy-4,8,9-trihydroxy-6-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroanthracene (aloesaponol IV) 8- O-β- D-glucoside, together with known tetrahydroanthracene glucosides. The effect of light on the formation of tetrahydroanthracene and anthraquinone glucosides is discussed.

Antibradykinin Active Material in Aloe saponaria

A material having antibradykinin activity on isolated guinea pig ileum was partially purified from the nondialysate of the pulp of Aloe saponaria by repetition of gel chromatography using a hydrophilic polyvinyl gel and dextran gels. From the results of amino acid and carbohydrate analyses, the antibradykinin-active material was estimated to be a glycoprotein. It was found that this material catalyzes the hydrolysis of bradykinin at pH 7.4. The results of peptide analysis using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with amino acid analysis indicate that this glycoprotein cleaves the Gly4-Phe5 and Pro7-Phe8 bonds of the bradykinin molecule.

Cardiac Stimulant Action of Constituents of Aloe Saponaria

A highly potent cardiotonic substance, calcium isocitrate, was isolated from Aloe saponaria, using solvent partition, nonionic porous resin, and gel permeation chromatographies. Cardiac stimulant activity of synthesized stereoisomers of calcium isocitrate was demonstrated in isolated guinea pig atria.

Biosynthetic relationship between tetrahydroanthracene and anthraquinone in Aloe saponaria

The incorporation of Me 14COONa into aloesaponol I, laccaic acid D methyl ester and aloesaponarin I was demonstrated. The biosynthetic relation between aloesaponol I and aloesaponarin I was established, but incorporation of aloesaponol I into laccaic acid D methyl ester, or vice versa was not demonstrated and this result was confirmed by an investigation using labelled laccaic acid D methyl ( 14CH 3) ester. It was possible to show that aloesaponol I and laccaic acid D methyl ester were biosynthesized in parallel in Aloe saponaria.

Studies on the constituents of Aloe saponaria Haw. IV. The structures of bianthraquinoid pigments.

The phenolic components of the fresh subterranean part and rhizome of Aloe saponaria HAW. were examined to give new four bianthraquinoid pigments A (I), B (II), C (III) and D (IV). On the basis of the spectral and chemical evidences the structures of these compounds were established to be (+)-asphodelin (I), 1, 1', 8, 8', 10-pentahydroxy-3, 3'-dimethyl-10, 7'-bianthracene-9, 9', 10'-trione (II), 1, 1', 8, 8'-tetrahydroxy-3, 3'-dimethyl-4, 7'-bianthracene (10'H, 10'H)-9, 9', 10-trione (III) and 1, 1', 8, 8', 10-pentahydroxy-3, 3'-dimethyl-10, 7'-bianthracene (10'H, 10'H)-9, 9'-dione (IV).

Studies on the constituents of Aloe saponaria Haw. II. The structures of tetrahydroanthracene derivatives, aloesaponol III and -IV.

Phenolic constituents of young subterranean stems of Aloe saponaria HAW. were investigated to give aloesaponol III, -IV, chrysophanol, helminthosporin and 1, 4, 8-trihydroxy-2-methoxy-6-methyl-anthraquinone (isoxanthorin). The structures of aloesaponol III and -IV were established to be 1-oxo-4 (S, equatorial), 8, 9-trihydroxy-6-methyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroanthracene and 1-oxo-4 (quasi-equatorial), 8, 9-trihydroxy-2-methoxy (equatorial)-6-methyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroanthracene on the basis of chemical and spectral evidences. The application of the extended benzoate chirality rule was attempted to determine the absolute configuration of hydroxyl group in aloesaponol I and -III.

Studies on the constituents of Aloe saponaria Haw. III. The structures of phenol glucosides.

Phenolic glycosides of young subterranean stems of Aloe saponaria HAW. were examined to afford compound A-F. On the basis of chemical and spectral evidences the structures of compound A (I), B (III), C (IV), D (V), E (VI) and F (VII) were determined to be 3-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-4-methoxy-5-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid lactone 5-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (I), aloesaponol III 8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (III), aloesaponol I 6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (IV), aloesaponol II 6-O-D-glucopyranoside (V), aloenin (VI) and aloesin (VII), respectively.

Studies on the Constituents of Aloe sapnaria HAW. I. The Structures of Tetrahydroanthracene Derivatives and the Related Anthraquinones

The constituents of fresh young subterranean stem of Aloe saponaria HAW. were examined to give six pigments ; aloesaponols I, -II, aloesaponarins I, -II, laccaic acid D methyl ester and desoxyerythrolaccin. On the basis of the spectral and chemical evidences the structures of aloesaponols I, -II and aloesaponarins I, -II were established to be I, II, IV and VI, respectively, in relation with laccaic acid D methyl ester (III) and desoxyerythrolaccin (V). Aloesaponols I, and -II were the first tetrahydroanthracene homologue obtained from the higher plant.

PRELIMINARY CHEMOTAXONOMICAL OBSERVATIONS ONALOEJUICES AND ONBULBINESPECIES1

Bulbine annua, B. asphodeloides, Aloe saponaria and A. africana were investigated phytochemically. Aloe–emodin and chrysophanol were isolated from B. annua and shown to be present in B. asphodeloides by means of paper and thinlayer chromatography. The presence of chrysophanol in A. saponaria and homonataloin in A. africana were detected with the aid of thinlayer and paper chromatography.