Determining Phytohormones in Aloe Vera Using LC-MS/MS

Researchers at the United Arab Emirates University (Al Ain, United Arab Emirates) have developed a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)methodology for the detection and quantification of phytohormones in aloe vera. The developed method evaluates phytohormone levels in the plant and contributes to the existing knowledge regarding their concentrations in other plants. The research team believes that their results may also be used as reference values for decision-making about the use of aloe vera in commercial products. A paper based on this work was published in Frontiers in Chemistry (1).

A perennial succulent plant renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, aloe vera has captured global attention and prompted a surge in demand within the herbal products market. Due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, the plant has been utilized in traditional medicine to heal skin injuries and digestive issues due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties (2,3) Also, recent studies suggest aloe vera has potential as an antitumor agent, which would then expand its therapeutic applications (4,5). These therapeutic properties have spurred the advocacy of its extensive integration in the pharmaceutical and food industries (6).

Natural compounds found in trace levels in plants, the presence of phytohormones is essential in maintaining plant growth and maturation of the plant as it regulates cell division and tissue differentiation, as well as controlling plant behavior due to various stimuli (7-10). Characterized by their diverse chemical properties, phytohormones can become unstable upon exposure to heat or light (11). Based on their structures and physiological functions, phytohormones are classified into six main types—auxins (indole derived), cytokinins (adenine derived), abscisic acid (carotenoids derived), gibberellin (terpene derived), ethylene (gas derived), and brassinosteroids (7,12,13).

The optimization of the researcher’s LC-MS/MS method involved the logical variation of phase composition, which led to enhanced separation and resolution of phytohormones within the complex matrix of aloe vera. Their validation, following established guidelines from various regulatory authorities (such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA]), process rigorously examined various parameters, demonstrating the method’s reliability and robustness. Their method, compared to traditional techniques such as bioassays, immunoassays, and high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) offers substantial improvement in sensitivity, selectivity, and throughput, and thus sets a new benchmark for phytohormone analysis (1).

The study highlights the method’s effectiveness and opens new avenues for research into the physiological roles of phytohormones in aloe vera and other medicinal plants as well. Through the establishment of baseline levels of phytohormones, their findings contribute to the safety evaluation of aloe vera-based products, correlating hormonal profiles with therapeutic effects and supporting the traditional and potential new uses of the plant in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, which benefits both scientific research and consumer wellbeing (1).

Aloe Vera. © lovelyday12 - stock.adobe.com

References

1. Hakeem, M. K.; Maraqa, M.; Elangovan, S. K.; Saeed, E. E.; Mishra, A. K.; Hazzouri, K M.; Shah, I.; Amiri K. M. A. Innovative Determination of Phytohormones in Aloe vera. Front. Chem. 2025, 12, 1490639. DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2024.1490639

2. Adlakha, K.; Koul, B.; Kumar, A. Value-Added Products of Aloe Species: Panacea to Several Maladies. South Afr. J. Bot. 2022, 147, 1124–1135. DOI:10.1016/j.sajb.2020.12.025

3. Gulati, P.; College, M. G.; Sahib, F. A Review on Medicinal Properties of Aloe vera Plant and It’s Profile. Int Res J Mod Eng Technol Sci, 2021, 5, 22.

4. Sinha, L.; Satyapal, G. K.; Kumar, S. Aloe vera-A Medicinal Plant as Potential Therapeutic Agents for Liver Cancer. Front. Med. Chem. 2023, 10 (10), 281–289. DOI:10.2174/9789815165043123100014

5. Ali, K.; Saquib, Q.; Siddiqui, M. A.; Ahmad, J.; Al-Khedhairy, A. A.; Musarrat, J. Anti-Cancer Efficacy of Aloe vera Capped Hematite Nanoparticles in Human Breast Cancer (MCF-7) Cells. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology 2020, 60, 102052. DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2020.102052

6. Martínez-Sánchez, A.; López-Cañavate, M. E.; Guirao-Martínez, J.; Roca, M. J.;Aguayo E. Aloe vera Flowers, a Byproduct with Great Potential and Wide Application, Depending on Maturity Stage. Foods 2020, 9 (11), 1542. DOI: 10.3390/foods9111542

7. Bhatt, D.; Nath, M.; Sharma, M.; Bhatt, M. D.; Bisht, D. S.; Butani, N. V.Role of Growth Regulators and Phytohormones in Overcoming Environmental Stress, in Protective Chemical Agents in the Amelioration of Plant Abiotic Stress: Biochemical and Molecular Perspectives. Roychoudhury, A., Tripathi, D. K. Eds. Wiley & Sons, 2020. DOI: 10.1002/9781119552154.ch11

8. Zhao, B.; Liu, Q.; Wang, B.; Yuan, F. Roles of Phytohormones and Their Signaling Pathways in Leaf Development and Stress Responses. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2021, 69 (12), 3566-3584. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c07908

9. Pal, P.; Ansari, S. A.; Jalil, S. U.; Ansari, M. I. Regulatory Role of Phytohormones in Plant Growth and Development. In Plant Hormones in Crop Improvement, Academic Press, 2023, pp. 1-13. DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-323-91886-2.00016-1

10. Asif, R.; Yasmin, R.; Mustafa, M.; Ambreen, A.; Mazhar, M.; Rehman, A. et al. Phytohormones as Plant Growth Regulators and Safe Protectors Against Biotic and Abiotic Stress. Plant Horm. Recent Adv. New Perspect. Appl, 2022, 115-130.

11. Jha, U. C.; Nayyar, H.; Siddique, K. H. Role of Phytohormones in Regulating Heat Stress Acclimation in Agricultural Crops. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation 2022, 41 (3), 1041-1064. DOI: 10.1007/s00344-021-10362-x

12. Tariq, L.; Bhat, B. A.; Hamdani, S. S.; Nissar, S. Sheikh, B. A.; Dar, M. A. et al. Plant Growth Regulators and Their Interaction with Abiotic Stress Factors, in Plant Abiotic Stress Physiology. Apple Academic Press, 2022.

13. Bhattacharya, A. Plant Growth Hormones in Plants Under Low-Temperature Stress: A Review. Physiological Processes in Plants Under Low Temperature Stress. Springer, 2022, 517-627. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-9037-2_6