The book, New Perspectives on Aloe, contains nearly a decade of research on Aloe conducted in South Korea through. Aloecorp exists under the umbrella of the Korean-owned Econet companies, along with Unigen and has been investigating new health supporting applications for traditional aloe uses. The Econet companies recently announced an ambitious 100-year plan for growth, of which the research and development into aloe plays only a part. Still, its plans for the plant are no less grand. The aloe researchers are even taking the plant into the domain of supporting cancer treatments. Aloecorp in Korea claims to have researched aloe active prokidin and its health-protecting effects when combined with chemotherapy treatment cisplatin. "This is the kind of study that reminds us that aloe is far more than just a soothing topical," said Ken Jones, chief science officer of Aloecorp. "A benefit like this could massively improve the lives of people undergoing certain cancer treatments." Aloecorp says it is using the research to expand its aloe product lines and renew interest in aloe research. "In isolating the actives of Aloe vera, they made an incredible leap forward in building the scientific foundation for aloe product development," said Jones. Other directions the company has planned for applications of aloe include: histamine inhibition, immune stimulation, skin-whitening and protection against nephrotoxicity. The aloe vera is native to North Africa but now can be found almost worldwide, and while there are more than 100 species of aloe, aloe vera is the one that has drawn the most scientific interest. Aloe vera has long, pointed leaves consisting of green rind and clear pulp. The pulp is the part of the plant that has the healing agents in it, but scientists believe almost all of the plant has some use. The rind has been used as a laxative while the pulp has been put on burns and wounds for thousands of years. Besides being used in lotions and medicines, in recent years cosmetic companies have used Aloe vera in a variety of products, especially moisturisers.
