Bioactive Compounds and Distinctive Pharmacological Activity Guided Review of Aegle marmelos: A Miraculous Plant of Indigenous Medicine System

Abstract

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.