from an Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center article:

Scientific Name
Aloe barbadensis, Aloe capensis

Common Name
Aloe gel, aloe leaf

Clinical Summary
Aloe vera is a tropical plant used in traditional medicine throughout the world.
It has been studied for its ability to relieve constipation, treat burns, heal wounds, treat psoriasis, frostbite, ulcerative colitis and diabetes.
Recent studies suggest that some components of aloe, such as acemannan, aloeride, and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) may have immunomodulating and anticancer effects.
Emodin, an extract of aloe vera, inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in human liver cancer cell lines through p53- and p21-dependent pathways.
Aloe is also thought to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Concurrent administration of aloe with chemotherapy was reported to benefit patients with metastatic cancers.
More research is needed.
Data on external use of aloe products to alleviate radiation-induced s