Aloe

ALOE, Aloe, sabur, juice of the fleshy leaves of various species of Aloe, herbaceous perennials with thick, fleshy leaves that are spiny at the margins and have terminal racemose inflorescences, belonging to the family Liliaceae and growing in tropical countries, chiefly in Africa. According to the Russian Pharmacopoeia (VII), Cape or transparent sabur (Aloe capensis s. lucida) is adopted, obtained from various species of Aloe growing at the Cape of Good Hope. Aloe appears as greenish-brown pieces with a bitter taste and a peculiar odor, soluble in alcohol and very poorly soluble in water. The active constituents of Aloe are various aloins (20–25%), substances of a glucoside nature that upon cleavage yield pentose, emodins, and some other anthraquinone derivatives. Aloin, taken internally or injected subcutaneously in doses of 0.2–0.5 g, exerts a strong laxative effect. Aloe does not disturb the appetite, does not cause habituation, and in small doses (0.03–0.1 g) produces a mushy stool within 8–12 hours, unaccompanied by severe pain. Aloe is a good mild laxative for chronic constipation. Large doses of Aloe produce a strong drastic effect accompanied by a heavy rush of blood to the intestines, abdominal, and pelvic organs, which can lead to increased hemorrhoids, menstruation, irritation of the urinary bladder, excitation of sexual desire, and cause a miscarriage; therefore, therapeutic use is contraindicated in cases of a tendency to bleeding from the pelvic organs, during menstruation, and in pregnancy. Aloe arborescens Mill. in the form of a decoction serves as a folk remedy against tuberculosis. Aloe preparations are used in pills of 0.03–0.1 g per dose as a mild laxative and 0.3–0.6 g as a strong laxative. Extractum Aloes is a dry aqueous extract, a yellow-brown powder, given in pills in doses of 0.03–0.5 g. Tinctura aloes is a tincture of 1 part aloe in 5 parts of 70° alcohol, of a very bitter taste; given at 5–20 drops per dose. Tinctura Aloes composita s. Elixir ad longam vitam is a complex alcoholic tincture of aloe, rhubarb, gentian, zedoary rhizome, and saffron; prescribed at 10–20 drops per dose. Pilulae aloeticae ferratae, Italian pills containing equal amounts of aloe and ferrous sulfate, are prescribed at 1–2 pieces 3 times a day.