Aloes The genus Aloe

Aloes are a large genus of plants, about 450 species, that have been adopted as medicinal plants since ancient times. Many species are widespread in warm or tropical semi-arid regions, while others live in desert or wet mountain regions. Scientists have yet to discover the full biological activity of the many aloe compounds. Aloes: The genus Aloes reviews all botanical, chemical, biochemical and medical information as well as the commercial aspects of aloes. It guides researchers in botany, natural product chemistry, pharmacology, dermatology and immunology. The present volume brings together a wealth of information on aloes from a variety of sources, including seldom-recorded folk customs.

Aloes are a large genus of plants, about 450 species, from sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, and parts of Arabia. Many species are widespread in warm or tropical semi-arid regions, yet the distribution of others is limited to a few living in desert or wet mountainous regions. While some species have been adopted as medicinal plants since ancient times and others are used locally in folk medicine, scientists have yet to discover the full biological activity of the many aloe compounds. In order to realize the vast potential of the genus, it is essential to gather the knowledge acquired over the last fifty years into one comprehensive compilation. A landmark publication, Aloes: The genus Aloes reviews all botanical, chemical, biochemical, and medical information as well as commercial applications of aloes. The first part of the book features information on the habitat and taxonomy of aloes, followed by a section on aloe constituents. Part 3 focuses on therapeutic activity and includes chapters on aloe's role in wound healing, skin cancer, and the immune system. The final section is devoted to aloe biology. Chapters are written by accomplished contributors who share their expertise and insight from all areas of academia and industry.Providing a solid foundation for future research, this volume brings together a wealth of information on aloes from a variety of sources, including seldom-recorded folk customs. It is a valuable guide for researchers and professionals in the areas of botany, natural product chemistry, pharmacology, dermatology, and immunology.

PART 1: THE PLANTSAloes in Habitat, Leonard E. NewtonTaxonomy of Aloaceae, Gideon F. Smith and Elsie M.A. SteynPART 2: ALOE CONSTITUENTSAloe Chemistry, Tom ReynoldsAloe Polysaccharides, Yawei Ni, Kenneth M. Yates, and Ian R. TizardAloe Lectins and their Activities, Hiroshi Kuzuya, Kan Shimpo, and Hidehiko BeppuAnalytical Methodology: The Gel-Analysis of Aloe Pulp and its Derivatives, Yawei Ni and Ian R. TizardAnalytical Methodology: The Exudate, Tom ReynoldsIndustrial Processing and Qualtity Control of Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera) Gel, Todd A. Waller, Ronald P. Pelley, and Faith M. StricklandPART 3: THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF ALOESHealing Powers of Aloes, Nicola Mascolo, Angelo A. Izzo, Francesca Borrelli, Raffaele Capasso, Giulia Di Carlo, Lidia Sautebin, and Francesco CapassoAloe vera in Wound Healing, Gary D. Motykie, Michael K. Obeng, and John P. HeggersAloe vera in Thermal and Frostbite Injuries, Michael K. Obeng, Gary D. Motykie, Amer Dastgir, Robert L. McCauley, and John P. HeggersPlant Saccharides and the Prevention of Sun-induced Skin Cancer, Faith M. Strickland and Ronald P. PelleyAloes and the Immune System, Ian R. Tizard and Lalitha RamamoorthyBioactivity of Aloe arborescens Preparations, Akira YagiPART 4: ALOE BIOLOGY. The Chromosones of Aloe - Variation on a Theme, Peter BrandhamAloe Leaf Anatomy, David F. CutlerPests of Aloes, Monique S. J. Simmonds

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