Aloin A is a C-glycosyl compound that is beta-D-glucopyranose in which the anomeric hydroxy group is replaced by a 4,5-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-10-oxo-9,10-dihydroanthracen-9-yl moiety (the 9S diastereoisomer). It has a role as a metabolite and a laxative. It is a C-glycosyl compound, a member of phenols, a cyclic ketone and a member of anthracenes. Aloe components (aloin, aloesin and aloe-gel) show anti-inflammatory effects, they can ameliorate intestinal inflammatory responses in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis rat model. Aloin shows tyrosinase activity, it could be used as lightening agents in the treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders and cosmetic additives. Aloin is a potent proapoptotic agent, it showed a pronounced antiproliferative effect at physiological concentration (IC50 = 97 microM), caused cell cycle arrest in the S phase and markedly increased HeLaS3 cell apoptosis (to 24%). Aloin (Aloin-A; Barbaloin-A) is a natural anti-tumor anthraquinone glycoside with iron chelation activity. Aloin induces differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells into osteoblasts through the MAPK mediated Wnt and Bmp signaling pathways. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an early marker of osteoblast differentiation, and its activity is also enhanced by Aloin. Aloin can alleviate brain edema, reduce blood-brain barrier damage, and improve cortical shock injury. Aloin can be used for research on osteoporosis and traumatic brain injury (TBI).