African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12487

Full Length Research Paper

Traditional use, antibacterial activity and antifungal activity of crude extract of Aloe excelsa

R. M. Coopoosamy1* and M. L. Magwa2
1Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, ALICE, 5700, Eastern Cape, South Africa. 2Electron Microscopic Unit, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, ALICE, 5700, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 29 June 2007
  •  Published: 18 October 2007

Abstract

The fleshy leaves and roots of most species within the Aloe family are used in many traditional treatments (Mabberley, 1987). Traditional healers and indigenous people utilize mainly the leaf sap of this genus widely for the treatment of wounds, burns, rashes, itches, cracked lips and cracked skin (Cera et al., 1980). Antimicrobial activities on the crude extract of Aloe exclesa was carried out in attempts to validate the use by traditional healers in the use of there latex and gel exudates for various medicinal ailments.

 

Key words: Aloeaceae, Aloe excelsa, antimicrobial, traditional healers.