A Review On Pharmacological Effects Of Bilwa: Aegle Marmelos L. (Rutaceae)

This article provides a review on the pharmacological effects of Aegle marmelos. It is belonging to Rutaceae family. The Aegle marmelos is also known as Bael, Bilwa and wooden apple plant. It contains various bioactive components in leaves, flowers, fruits, wood, root, and bark which has different biological activities and high therapeutic importance. The phytochemical compounds which are isolated from the Aegle marmelos are Coumarins (Marmelosin, marmesin, imperatorin), alkaloids (Aeglin, aegelenine), Tannins (skimmianine), Carotenoids and seed oils and other miscellaneous compounds. The phytochemical components of this plant showed various pharmacological and biological activity against certain chronic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, immunosuppressive disease and gastrointestinal disorder. The different parts of this plant extract possess pharmacological activities like anticonvulsant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, antihyperglycemic, anxiolytic, antidepressant, antihistaminic, antimicrobial, hepato protective, analgesic, immuno modulatory, cardio protective and antithyroid activities. The present review summarizes the information about botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, biological activities and insecticidal properties of A. marmelos plant.