title: Anticancer potential of aloes: antioxidant, antiproliferative, and immunostimulatory attributes.
abstract: Aloe is a genus of medicinal plants with a notable history of medical use. Basic research over the past couple of decades has begun to reveal the extent of Aloe's pharmaceutical potential, particularly against neoplastic disease. This review looks at Aloe, both the genus and the folk medicine, often being called informally "aloes", and delineates their chemistry and anticancer pharmacognosy. Structures of key compounds are provided, and their pharmacological activities reviewed. Particular attention is given to their free radical scavenging, antiproliferative, and immunostimulatory properties. This review highlights major research directions on aloes, reflecting the enormous potential of natural sources, and of the genus Aloe in particular, in preventing and treating cancer.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Evolution and International Graduate Center of Evolution, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel. elih@research.haifa.ac.il
authors.forename: Eli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Harlev
authors.forename: Eviatar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nevo
authors.forename: Ephraim P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Lansky
authors.forename: Rivka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ofir
authors.forename: Anupam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bishayee
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000504:Aloe / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D000880:Anthraquinones / Q000494:pharmacology; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004642:Emodin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008351:Mannans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D037121:Plant Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000880:Anthraquinones; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000975:Antioxidants; D008351:Mannans; D010936:Plant Extracts; D037121:Plant Lectins; C033193:aloctin A; C518327:aloe emodin; D004642:Emodin; C058414:acemannan; C006457:alloin