ABSTRACT
Aloe vera is a perennial, succulent cacti with cosmopolitan distribution. This plant holds a long history of usages in recovering different ailments in folklore medicine. Therefore, it has gained a precise attention over the years due to its various medicinal properties. This plant, especially the leaves, contain various bioactive compounds that enrich the plant to act as emollient, purgative, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiseptic, antioxidant, anti-aging, antitumor and antidiabetic agent. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that effectively restricts the functions of the endocrine gland and leads to glucose intolerance and hyperglycaemia as a result of inadequate insulin secretion. Aloe vera is amongst those few plant species that have shown effectiveness against glucose intolerance. We have searched several research articles to evaluate the hyperglycaemic property of this plant in both in vivo and in vitro practices. This chapter summarizes the traditional uses and cultivation practices and highlights the importance of using Aloe vera as a potent medicinal herb against diabetes.
