The genus Aloe, which belongs to the family of Asphodelaceae (formerly Liliaceae), comprises about 300 species. Of principal pharmaceutical interest are Aloe ferox Mill. and Aloe barbadensis Mill. The latter species is also known as Aloe vera L. or Aloe vulgaris Lamk. [1]. The dried leaf exudates of Aloe ferox and its hybrids and of Aloe barbadensis are used medicinally under the names of Cape Aloe and Curacao Aloe, respectively.
