Danhof, I. E. (n.d.). Position statement on polysaccharides.

Abstract: Discourages the use of the term mucopolysaccharides and encourages the use of the term polysaccharides when discussing Aloe vera.

Davis, R. H. (n.d.). The conductor-orchestra concept of Aloe vera. Cosmetics and Toiletries, 21-24.

Abstract: “The Conductor-Orchestra Concept” was developed to better define the relationships that exist among over 200 biologically active compounds within Aloe vera. One of these molecules, a polysaccharide, acts as the conductor and leads a symphony composed of these 200+ biologically active compounds.

McCarthy, T. J. (1969, February). Distribution of glycosyl compounds in South African Aloe species. Planta Medica,17(1), 1-7.

Abstract: In the slightly more than one hundred Aloe species examined, it has been found that the C-glycosyl anthraquinones aloin and homonataloin appear in nearly half these species, and in roughly equal proportions. The C-glycosyl benzopyrone derivative, aloesin, appears in more than one quarter of the total species and almost exclusively in the species containing aloin or homonataloin. The O-glycosyl compounds of aloin (aloinosides) and of chrysophanol appear far less commonly.

Mebe, P. P. (1987). 2´-p-Methoxycoumaroylaloeresin, A c-glucoside from Aloe excelsa. Phytochemistry, 26(9), 2646-2647.

Abstract: I report here a chemical investigation of the dried leaf surfaces of Aloe excelsa which resulted in the isolation of a new natural compound, p-methoxycoumaroylaloeresin (2) and known compounds, aloesin (1) [5], homonataloin [6], aloin [4] and 1,5 dihydroxy-e-hydroxymehtylanthraquinone [7] from the acetone extract.

Pelley, R. P. (n.d.) Aloe polysaccharides and their measurement. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Abstract: Dr. Pelley has done extensive research on the beneficial elements of Aloe vera.

Plaskett, L. G. (1996, July). The healing properties of Aloe. Aloe Vera Information Services(newsletter). Camelford, Cornwall, UK: Biomedical Information Services Ltd.

Abstract: Aloe vera contains Glucomannan, a special complex polysacchride composed largely of the sugar mannose. It interacts with special cell-surface receptors on those cells that repair damaged tissues, called fibroblasts, stimulating them and activating their faster growth and replication. Plant hormones in Aloe, called auxins and gibberellins, also accelerate healing by stimulating cell replication. These combined actions make Aloe a uniquely potent healing herb.

Plaskett, L. G. (1998, January). The Health and Medical Use of Aloe Vera. Tacoma, Washington: Life Sciences Press.

Abstract: Dr. Plaskett found that hundreds of scientific papers had been published over the years by researchers all around the world: almost the whole of this large body of work contained only positive reports on the effectiveness of Aloe.

Winters, W. D. (1993). Immunoreactive lectins in leaf gel from Aloe barbadensis Miller. Phytotherapy Research, 7, S23-S25.

Abstract: Lectins isolated from the gel portion of leaves of Aloe barbadensis Miller by differential centrifugations and gel filtration were found to have strong hemaglutination and mitogenic activities. hemaglutination titres induced by these lectins were markedly higher than those induced by lectins isolated similarly from Aloe saponaria Haw and Aloe chinensis. 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 phytohemoglutinin. 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 hemaglutination 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.

Yagi, A., Hamada, K., Mihashi, K., Harada, N., and Nishioka, I. (1984). Structure determination of polysaccharides in Aloe saponaria (Hill.) Haw. (Liliaceae). Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences,73(1), 62-65.

Abstract: A crude preparation of both As mannan 1 and As mannan 2 was effective in reducing edema in rats when given intraperitoneally, but was ineffective when given orally.

Yagi, A. (n.d.). The chemistry of low-molecular weight chromones and glycoproteins from Aloe vera. School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuyama University, Japan.

Abstract: Dr. Yagi examines the chemistry of low molecular weight phenolic and chromone components of the latex exudate and glycoproteins from the gel of Aloe vera.

Yagi, A., Harada, N., Shimomura, K., and Nishioka, I. (1986, March 18). Bradykinin-degrading glycoprotein in Aloe arborescens var. natalensis., 19-21.

Abstract: In this report, data on the isolation of a glycoprotein (aloe glycoprotein) with bradykinin-degrading activity on an isolated guinea pig ileum in vitro and a proteolytic activity against bradykinin are presented.

Yagi, A., Machii, K., Hishimura, H., Shida, T., and Nishioka, I. (1985). Effect of aloe lectin on deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in baby hamster kidney cells. Experientia, 41, 669-671.

Abstract: Shows the characterization of the chemical and physical properties of a glycoprotein that has a lectin property and that stimulates DNA synthesis in BHK 21 cells. Aloe lectin, which induces blastmitogenesis, may be responsible for the therapeutic effect of aloe on burns.

Yagi, A., Makino, K., and Nishioka, I. (1977). Studies on the constituents of Aloe saponaria Haw. III. The structures of phenol glucosides. Chem. Pharm. Bulletin, 25(7), 1771-1776.

Abstract: This paper deals with isolation and structure determination of particular phenol glucosides.

Yagi, A., Makino, K., Nishioka, I., and Kuchino, Y. (1977). Aloe mannan, polysaccharide, from Aloe arborescens var. natalensis. Planta Medica,31, 17-20.

Abstract: A main polysaccharide (aloe mannan) isolated from the fresh leaf pulp of Aloe arborescens Mill. Var. natalensis Berger in a pure state was proved to be a partially acetylated β-D-mannan. The molecular weight of aloe mannan was calculated to be approximately 15,000 by equilibrium ultracentrifugation. An inhibiting effect of aloe mannan was tested against the implanted sarcoma-180.

Yagi, A., Nishimura, H., Shida, T., and Nishioka, I. (1985, December 9). Structure determination of polysaccharides in Aloe arborescens var. natalensis. Planta Medica, 213- 218.

Abstract: This paper deals with the determination of structure and evaluation of polysaccharides and glycoproteins as active phagocytosis promoters.

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