出典(authority):フリー百科事典『ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』「2016/01/07 02:30:09」(JST)
| Aloe | |
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| Aloe succotrina[1] | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Xanthorrhoeaceae |
| Subfamily: | Asphodeloideae |
| Genus: | Aloe L.[2] |
| Species | |
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See Species |
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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Aloe (/ˈæloʊiː/ or /ˈæloʊ/), also written Aloë, is a genus containing over 500 species of flowering succulent plants.[3] The most widely known species is Aloe vera, or "true aloe", so called because, though probably extinct in the wild, it is cultivated as the standard source of so-called "aloe vera" for assorted pharmaceutical purposes.[4] Other species, such as Aloe ferox, also are cultivated or harvested from the wild for similar applications.
The APG III system (2009) places the genus in the family Xanthorrhoeaceae, subfamily Asphodeloideae.[5] In the past, it has been assigned to the family Aloaceae (now included in the Xanthorrhoeaceae) or to a broadly circumscribed family Liliaceae (the lily family). The plant Agave americana, which is sometimes called "American aloe", belongs to the Asparagaceae, a different family.
The genus is native to tropical and southern Africa, Madagascar, Jordan, the Arabian Peninsula, and various islands in the Indian Ocean (Mauritius, Réunion, Comoros, etc.). A few species have also become naturalized in other regions (Mediterranean, India, Australia, North and South America, etc.).[2]
Most Aloe species have a rosette of large, thick, fleshy leaves. Aloe flowers are tubular, frequently yellow, orange, pink, or red, and are borne, densely clustered and pendant, at the apex of simple or branched, leafless stems. Many species of Aloe appear to be stemless, with the rosette growing directly at ground level; other varieties may have a branched or unbranched stem from which the fleshy leaves spring. They vary in color from grey to bright-green and are sometimes striped or mottled. Some aloes native to South Africa are tree-like (arborescent).[6]
The APG III system (2009) places the genus in the family Xanthorrhoeaceae, subfamily Asphodeloideae.[5] In the past it has also been assigned to the families Liliaceae and Aloeaceae, as well as the family Asphodelaceae, before this was merged into the Xanthorrhoeaceae.
The circumscription of the genus has varied widely. Many genera, such as Lomatophyllum,[7] have been brought into synonymy. Species at one time placed in Aloe, such as Agave americana, have been moved to other genera.[8]
Over 500 species are accepted in the genus Aloe, plus even more synonyms and unresolved species, subspecies, varieties, and hybrids. Some of the accepted species are:[3]
In addition to the species and hybrids between species within the genus, several hybrids with other genera have been created in cultivation, such as between Aloe and Gasteria (×Gasteraloe), and between Aloe and Astroloba (×Aloloba).
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Aloe species are frequently cultivated as ornamental plants both in gardens and in pots. Many aloe species are highly decorative and are valued by collectors of succulents. Aloe vera is used both internally and externally on humans, and is claimed to have some medicinal effects, which have been supported by scientific and medical research.[4] They can also be made into types of special soaps.
Historical use of various aloe species is well documented. Documentation of the clinical effectiveness is available, although relatively limited.[4][9]
Of the 500+ species, only a few were used traditionally as herbal medicines, Aloe vera again being the most commonly used species. Also included are A. perryi and A. ferox. The Ancient Greeks and Romans used Aloe vera to treat wounds. In the Middle Ages, the yellowish liquid found inside the leaves was favored as a purgative.[citation needed] Unprocessed aloe that contains aloin is generally used as a laxative, whereas processed juice does not usually contain significant aloin.[10]
Some species, particularly Aloe vera, are used in alternative medicine and first aid. Both the translucent inner pulp and the resinous yellow aloin from wounding the aloe plant are used externally to relieve skin discomforts. As an herbal medicine, Aloe vera juice is commonly used internally to relieve digestive discomfort.[11][12]
Relatively few studies about possible benefits of aloe gel taken internally have been conducted. Components of Aloe have shown the possibility of inhibiting tumor growth in animal studies, but these effects have not been demonstrated clinically in humans.[13] Some studies in animal models indicate that extracts of Aloe have a significant antihyperglycemic effect, and may be useful in treating Type II diabetes, but these studies have not been confirmed in humans.[14]
According to Cancer Research UK, a potentially deadly product called T-UP is made of concentrated aloe, and promoted as a cancer cure. They say "there is currently no evidence that aloe products can help to prevent or treat cancer in humans".[15]
On May 9, 2002, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule banning the use of aloin, the yellow sap of the aloe plant, for use as a laxative ingredient in over-the-counter drug products.[16] Most aloe juices today do not contain significant aloin.
According to W. A. Shenstone, two classes of aloins are recognized: (1) nataloins, which yield picric and oxalic acids with nitric acid, and do not give a red coloration with nitric acid; and (2) barbaloins, which yield aloetic acid (C7H2N3O5), chrysammic acid (C7H2N2O6), picric and oxalic acids with nitric acid, being reddened by the acid. This second group may be divided into a-barbaloins, obtained from Barbados Aloe, and reddened in the cold, and b-barbaloins, obtained from Aloe Socotrina and Zanzibar Aloe, reddened by ordinary nitric acid only when warmed or by fuming acid in the cold. Nataloin (2C17H13O7·H2O) forms bright-yellow scales, barbaloin (C17H18O7) prismatic crystals. Aloe species also contain a trace of volatile oil, to which their odour is due.[citation needed]
Aloe perryi, A. barbadensis, A. ferox, and hybrids of this species with A. africana and A. spicata are listed as natural flavoring substances in the US government Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.[17] Aloe Socotrina is said to be used in yellow Chartreuse.[18]
Aloe rubrolutea occurs as a charge in heraldry, for example in the Civic Heraldry of Namibia.[19]
Aloe ferox ("Cape Aloe")
Aloe africana ("Africa Aloe")
Aloe pluridens ("French Aloe")
Aloe excelsa ("Zimbabwe Aloe")
Aloe hexapetala ("Tilt-headed Aloe")
Aloe thraskii ("Dune Aloe")
Aloe arborescens
Blooming Aloe arborescens
Aloe aristata
Aloe cooperi (Aloe plicatilis in background on the right)
Aloe dichotoma
Aloe hereroensis
Aloe parvula
Aloe peglerae
Aloe maculata - prev. A. saponaria ("Soap Aloe")
Aloe striatula ("Hardy Aloe")
Aloe rauhii
Aloe reitzii
Aloe variegata
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| リンク元 | 「アロエ」「Aloe vera」「ロカイ」 |