Evaluation of antioxidant potential of aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) extracts

J Agric Food Chem. 2003 Dec 17;51(26):7788-91. doi: 10.1021/jf034255i.

Abstract

The polysaccharide and flavonoid concentrations of two-, three-, and four-year-old Aloe vera were determined, and their antioxidant activities were evaluated compared to BHT and alpha-tocopherol by the DPPH radical scavenging method and the linoleic acid system at 100 microg of soluble solids per mL of ethanol. The results showed that three-year-old Aloe vera contained significantly higher levels of polysaccharides and flavonoids than two- and four-year-old Aloe vera, and no significant differences in flavonoid levels were found between three- and four-year-old Aloe vera. All the aloe extracts showed significant antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of Aloe vera extracts and reference compounds followed the order: three-year-old Aloe vera > BHT > four-year-old Aloe vera > alpha-tocopherol > two-year-old Aloe vera. The three-year-old extract exhibited the strongest radical scavenging activity of 72.19%, which is significantly higher than that of BHT at 70.52% and alpha-tocopherol at 65.20%. These data suggest that the growth stage plays a vital role in the composition and antioxidant activity of Aloe vera.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aloe / chemistry*
  • Aloe / growth & development*
  • Antioxidants / analysis*
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Butylated Hydroxyanisole / chemistry
  • Ethanol
  • Flavonoids / analysis
  • Flavonoids / chemistry
  • Free Radical Scavengers / chemistry
  • Linoleic Acid / chemistry
  • Picrates / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Polysaccharides / analysis
  • Polysaccharides / chemistry
  • Time Factors
  • alpha-Tocopherol / chemistry

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Flavonoids
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Picrates
  • Plant Extracts
  • Polysaccharides
  • Butylated Hydroxyanisole
  • Ethanol
  • Linoleic Acid
  • 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl
  • alpha-Tocopherol