Background:
It is always thought that traditional herbal drugs are safe, effective and economical
and are used worldwide for healing purposes. Aegle marmelos, belonging to family Rutaceae, is
an important medicinal plant of the indigenous medicine system in India. Despite the study on ethnobotanical
uses and the presence of bioactive compounds, there was only a handful of research on A. marmelos.
The therapeutic use of bioactive compounds is not explored properly.
Objective:
The objective of this study is to provide comprehensive data on the botanical description,
ethnobotany, isolated bioactive compounds and their therapeutic effects according to the pharmacology
of A. marmelos and its future prospects for further scientific investigation for the development of effective
bioactive compounds.
Methods:
Literature searches were performed in various databases, such as PubMed, SciFinder and
Google Scholar, for peer-reviewed research literature pertaining to the bioactive compounds present and
distinctive pharmacological activities of A. marmelos.
Results:
The literature review indicates that different parts of A. marmelos possess various ethnobotanical
uses. A large number of bioactive compounds isolated from different parts of the plant were reviewed
which mainly belong to alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, coumarins, flavonoids and carbohydrate
in nature. The plant also possesses a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as antidiarrheal,
antimicrobial, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antifertility, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, radioprotective,
hypoglycemic and cardioprotective activity.
Conclusion:
It is clearly proven that different parts of A. marmelos possess numerous therapeutic effects
for treating various ailments of human beings. As the scientists anticipated to develop new drugs
from natural sources, investigation of modern drugs from A. marmelos should be emphasized. Still,
extensive research studies are required on A. marmelos as it is the most important plant of the indigenous
medicine system in India. Therefore, this review could be used as a good source of information for
researchers who wish to proceed their exploration of A. marmelos.