Comparative Phytochemical Analysis and Ethnopharmacological Potential of Nine Aloe Species Grown in the Western Highlands of Saudi Arabia

Background: Medicinal plants are abundant in bioactive phytochemicals, which act as shields against harm and disease, and enhance the color, flavor, and aroma of these plants. Therefore, this study aimed to examine and compare the ethnopharmacological potential and phytochemical components of nine Aloe plant species cultivated in the western highlands of Saudi Arabia. Methods: Nine Aloe plant species were collected from different locations (Taif, Al-Baha, Abha, and Jazan). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed on the nine Aloe species, demonstrating the production of six flavonoid compounds with different retention times. Results and Conclusion: A. parvicoma exhibited the highest concentration of apigenin (45.36 mg/g), A. hijazensis presented the highest for rutin (29.46 mg/g), A. sabaea had the highest of kaempferol (40.12 mg/g), and A. armatissima presented the highest for naringin (60.14 mg/g). Additionally, HPLC was used to separate the six phenolic compounds. A. armatissima had the highest concentrations of ellagic acid, quercetin, and gallic acid (27.99, 39.50, and 40.12 mg/g, respectively), while A. hijazensis had the highest for resorcinol (35.17 mg/g), A. fleurentiniorum had the highest for syringic acid (7.13 mg/g), and A. brunneodentata had the highest for ferulic acid (28.47 mg/g). Four alkaloid compounds were identified, with the highest concentration of coniine (6.58 mg/g) recorded in A. fleurentiniorum, while conhydrine and conmaculatin (5.60 and 4.99 mg/g) were recorded in A. abhaica, and 2-methylpiperidine (3.66 mg/g) was recorded in A. sabaea. The nine Aloe species exhibited significant divergence, as indicated by long Euclidean distances. The considerable concentration of identified compounds denotes the potential use of the Aloe plant species for different pharmacological purposes.