SIBR/Aloe barbadenis Mill.: A Review on Medicinal Utility from the Perspective of Unani Medicine

Year : 2025 | Volume : 12 | Issue : 03 | Page : 22 29
    By

    Patel Mohd Furqan Ahmad,

  • Yezam Akhtar,

  • Sana Kauser Ateeque Ahmed,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Moalijat, Mohammadia Tibbiya College and Assayer Hospital, Malegaon, Nashik, Maharashtra, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Tahaffuzi wa samaji Tib (Community Medicine), Mohammadia Tibbia College & Assayer Hospital, Malegaon, Nashik, Maharashtra, India
  3. Assistant Professor, Department of Mahiyatul Amraz (Pathology), Mohammadia Tibbia College & Assayer Hospital, Malegaon, Nashik, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Aloe barbadensis Mill., known as Sibr in Unani medicine, is a time-honored medicinal plant belonging to the family Liliaceae. Revered across cultures and healing systems, it has been extensively described in Unani literature under various names such as Elwa, Musabbar, and Ghikwar. This review aims to comprehensively explore the medicinal utility of Sibr from an Unani perspective while integrating evidence from modern pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, and pharmacology. Traditionally, the dried juice of the plant – classified into three types: Saqootri, Arabi, and Samhani – has been used for its potent purgative, deobstruent, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. Unani scholars have elaborated its temperament (hot and dry), therapeutic dosage, adverse effects, correctives (Musleh), and substitutes (Badal) in classical texts. Phytochemical studies reveal that Aloe barbadensis contains anthraquinone glycosides, aloin (barbaloin), aloe-emodin, polysaccharides, vitamins, and enzymes, which are responsible for its diverse pharmacological activities. Modern experimental studies support its traditional claims, demonstrating antioxidant, analgesic, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory properties. Its effects on chronic constipation, non-healing ulcers, hemorrhoids, jaundice, and inflammatory conditions align with its classical Unani indications. The plant’s wide ethnomedicinal applications across different systems highlight its therapeutic versatility. This review consolidates classical Unani knowledge and modern scientific findings to validate the historical use of Aloe barbadensis and emphasizes the need for further clinical studies and standardization of its formulations. Bridging traditional wisdom with contemporary evidence, Sibr continues to hold promise as a valuable phytomedicine in integrative healthcare systems.

Keywords: Sibr, Aloe barbadensis Mill., Liliaceae, Elwa, Saqootri, Unani medicine

[This article belongs to Research & Reviews : A Journal of Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy ]

How to cite this article:
Patel Mohd Furqan Ahmad, Yezam Akhtar, Sana Kauser Ateeque Ahmed. SIBR/Aloe barbadenis Mill.: A Review on Medicinal Utility from the Perspective of Unani Medicine. Research & Reviews : A Journal of Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. 2025; 12(03):22-29.
How to cite this URL:
Patel Mohd Furqan Ahmad, Yezam Akhtar, Sana Kauser Ateeque Ahmed. SIBR/Aloe barbadenis Mill.: A Review on Medicinal Utility from the Perspective of Unani Medicine. Research & Reviews : A Journal of Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. 2025; 12(03):22-29. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjoush/article=2025/view=235290


Browse Figures

References

  1. Kokate CK, Purohit PA, Gokhale BS. Pune: Nirali Prakashan; 2009. p. 8.23–8.30, 9.4–9.5, 11.56–11.58, 11.103–11.105, 13.63–13.65.
  2. Dymock W, Warden CJH, Hooper D. Pharmacographia Indica: A history of the principal drugs of vegetable origin. New Delhi: Srishti Book Distributors; 2005. Vol. 3. p. 166–176, 420–425, 467–476, 586–592.
  3. Weber H, Holme I, Amlie E. The natural course of acute sciatica with nerve root symptoms in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial evaluating the effect of piroxicam. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1993;18(11):1433–8.
  4. Valat JP, Genevay S, Marty M, Rozenberg S, Koes B. Sciatica. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2010;24(2):241–52. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2009.11.005.
  5. Fetrow CW, Avila JR. The complete guide to herbal medicines. Springhouse (PA): Springhouse Corporation; 2000. p. 21–23, 210–211, 374–375.
  6. Kirtikar KR, Basu BD. Indian medicinal plants with illustrations. Dehradun: Oriental Enterprises; 2005. Vol. 10. 2nd ed. p. 3363–3367, 3457–3459, 3485.
  7. The Unani Pharmacopoeia of India. New Delhi: CCRUM; 2007. Part 1, Vol. 1. p. 3–4, 32–33, 82–83, 88–89.
  8. Ibn Sina. Al Qanoon. New Delhi: Idarah Kitab-us-Shifa; year not mentioned. 2. p. 406, 426, 435, 437.
  9. Ibn Baitar. Aljame al Mufradat al Advia wa al Aghzia. Urdu translation by CCRUM. New Delhi: Dept of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India; 1999. Vol. 3. p. 96–98, 170–175, 275–276, 377–380.
  10. Adams JC, Hamblen DL. Outline of orthopaedics. 13th ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 2001. p. 198–205.
  11. Tortora GJ, Derrickson B. Principles of anatomy and physiology. 11th ed. Hoboken (NJ): John Wiley & Sons Inc.; 2008. p. 456.
  12. Magee DJ. Orthopedic physical assessment. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders; 2007. p. 6, 9, 559.
  13. The Wealth of India. New Delhi: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research; 2003. Vol. 1. p. 191–193.
  14. Hakeem MA. Bustanul Mufradat. New Delhi: Idarah Kitab-us-Shifa; 2002. p. 60, 78–79, 106–107, 119–120, 358, 503.
  15. Majoosi IA. Kamilus Sana’a. New Delhi: Idarah Kitab-us-Shifa; 2010. Vol. 2. p. 155, 159, 165.
  16. Baghdadi IH. Almukhtarat fit Tibb. Part II. Urdu translation by CCRUM. New Delhi: Dept of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India; 2005. p. 118, 126, 209, 228–229, 239–240, 248.
  17. Gazrooni MS. Alsadidi. Lucknow: Matba Munshi Naval Kishore; 1311 H. p. 159–163, 190, 200–201.
  18. The Wealth of India. New Delhi: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research; 2003. Vol. 1. p. 191–193.
  19. Prajapati ND, Purohit SS, Sharma AK, Kumar T. A handbook of medicinal plants: A complete source book. Jodhpur: Agrobios Publication India; 2009. p. 33, 32, 105–106, 161, 404, 508, 552.
  20. Samarkhandi N. Moalijath Sharh-e-Asbab. Translated by Kabeerudeen M. New Delhi: Idarah Kitab-us-Shifa; 2009. Part 1. p. 175–177.
  21. Chughtai GM, Chughtai F. Rehnumae Aqaqeer. New Delhi: Aijaz Publishing House; 2004. Vol. 1. p. 90–99, 530–534.
  22. Ghani N. Khazainul Advia. New Delhi: Idarah Kitab-ul-Shifa; 2002. 1st ed. p. 113, 175–178, 308–312, 335–336, 861–862, 869–870, 1231–1233, 1355–1356.
  23. Khan HA. Majmaul Behrain. Lucknow: Matba Munshi Naval Kishore; year not mentioned. p. 134, 152, 154, 157, 162.
  24. Khan HA. Majmaul Behrain. Lucknow: Matba Munshi Naval Kishore; year not mentioned. p. 134, 152, 154, 157, 162.
  25. Haleem MA. Mufradate Azizi. New Delhi: CCRUM, Dept of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India; 2009. p. 17, 21, 26, 29, 33, 36, 52, 54, 55, 66, 85, 91, 102, 115, 117.
  26. Tabri AR. Firdaus ul Hikmat. Deoband: Faisal Publication; 2002. p. 358–359, 362–366.
  27. Singh R, Mehta A, Mehta P, Shukla K. Anthelmintic activity of rhizome extracts of Curcuma longa and Zingiber officinale (Zingiberaceae). Int J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2011;3(2):236–7.
  28. Barnes J, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal medicines. 3rd ed. London: RSP Publishing; 2007. p. 48–49, 293–298.
  29. The Wealth of India. New Delhi: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research; 2003. Vol. 1. p. 191–193.
  30. Chopra RN. Glossary of Indian medicinal plants. New Delhi: National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources, CSIR; 2002. p. 13, 33, 46–47, 73, 194, 242, 261.
  31. Tariq MNA. Taj ul Mufradat. New Delhi: Idarah Kitab-us-Shifa; 2010. p. 17–21, 39–41, 105–107, 123, 460, 659–661, 677.
  32. Chopra RN. Glossary of Indian medicinal plants. New Delhi: National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources, CSIR; 2002. p. 13, 33, 46–47, 73, 194, 242, 261.
  33. Evans WC. Trease and Evans’ pharmacognosy. New Delhi: Elsevier (Reed Elsevier India Pvt Ltd); 2002. p. 37–38, 52, 226, 240–242, 353–371, 471, 474.
  34. Prajapati ND, Kumar U. Agro’s dictionary of medicinal plants. Jodhpur: Agrobios (India); 2003. p. 19, 44, 60, 88, 257, 343, 382.
  35. Duke JA. Handbook of medicinal herbs. 2nd ed. India: Replika Press Pvt. Ltd; 2002. p. 17–18, 45, 98–99, 180–181, 327–329, 682–683.
  36. Kirtikar KR, Basu BD. Indian medicinal plants with illustrations. Dehradun: Oriental Enterprises; 2003. Vol. 10. 2nd ed. p. 3363–3367, 3457, 3457–3459, 3485.
  37. Mishra LC. Scientific basis for Ayurvedic therapies. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2003. p. 195.
  38. Nwanjo HU. Antioxidant activity of the exudates from Aloe barbadensis leaves in diabetic rats. Biokemistri. 2006;18(2):77–81.
  39. Ghosh AK, Banerjee M, Mandal TK, Mishra A, Bhowmik MK. Analgesic efficacy and adverse effects of Aloe vera in Wistar rats. Pharmacologyonline. 2011;1:1098–1108.
  40. Agary OO, Olaleye MT, Michael CO. Comparative antimicrobial activities of Aloe vera gel and leaf. Afr J Biotechnol. 2005;4(12):1413–4.
Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 12
Issue 03
Received 29/04/2025
Accepted 24/06/2025
Published 25/06/2025
Publication Time 57 Days
78

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics