Exploring <i>Aloe vera</i> (L.) Burm.f. as a Source of Antimycobacterial Agents: Phytochemical and <i>In vitro</i> Assessment

Tuberculosis (TB) and related mycobacterial infections remain major global health concerns, necessitating the search for novel antimycobacterial agents. Aloe vera, a widely used medicinal plant, contains a variety of bioactive phytochemicals with potential therapeutic properties. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition and antimycobacterial activity of the ethanolic crude extract of Aloe vera against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis, and Mycobacterium smegmatis. Ethanolic extract of Aloe vera leaves were prepared and subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening. The antimycobacterial efficacy of the extracts was assessed using standard broth microdilution techniques to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) against the selected mycobacterial strains. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phenols, and steroids. The extract exhibited antimycobacterial activity with MIC values of 1560 µg/mL (p<0.05) for M. bovis and M. smegmatis, and 6250 µg/mL for M. tuberculosis. MBC values were 3125 µg/mL (p<0.05) for M. bovis and M. smegmatis, and 12500 µg/mL for M. tuberculosis. The results support the traditional use of Aloe vera in treating infections and highlight the potential of its bioactive constituents as leads for future antitubercular drug development. Further studies involving compound isolation and mechanism-based assays are recommended.