Proteomic Analysis of a Bioactive Aloe vera Extract

Background: Aloe vera, a plant belonging to the family Xanthorrhoeaceae, has received special interest in recent years, not only for the commercial importance of its derivatives, but also because of the identification of new molecules from this plant. The latter may provide a scientific support for ethnobotany, which has been beneficial to mankind for centuries. Objective: Recently, the pharmacological activity of proteins derived from natural sources, including plants, is being explored. We report on the extraction and identification of proteins from A. vera with antimicrobial activity. Result: The protein extract (yield, 0.15%) contained 15 peptides or proteins, whose sequences were associated with membrane proteins, enzymes, and proteins involved in stress tolerance and defense against pathogens. The latter is consistent with the previously reported antimicrobial activity of an A. vera protein extract.