Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL, ETHNOBOTANICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL OVERVIEW OF AEGLE MARMELOS

Dr. Anupkumar T. Sharma*, Dnyaneshwar V. Pawde, Diksha S. Jadhav, Ruturaj R. Dachawar and Suraj S. Zunzulde

ABSTRACT

Since time immemorial, plants and their products have been the primary resource of food and medicines for mankind. Aegle marmelos commonly known as Bael (or bel), belonging to the family Rutaceae, is a moderate sized, slender and aromatic tree. A number of chemical constituents and various therapeutic effects of leaves of Aegle marmelos have been reported by different workers. Extensive investigations have been carried out on different parts of Aegle marmelos and as a consequence, varied classes of compound viz., alkaloids, coumarins, terpenoids, fatty acids and amino acids have been isolated from its different parts. The present review includes the essential biological features and economic potentials of Bael. It also includes key research papers from 1935 to 1989 to enrich the discussion with essential information reported in the past. Various phytochemical, ethnobotanical and pharmacological evaluations have been reported in this literature for the important potential of the Aegle marmelos.

Keywords: Aegle marmelos commonly known as Bael (or bel), belonging to the family Rutaceae, is a moderate sized, slender and aromatic tree.