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Abstract: Aegle marmelos (Linn) correa, 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 A. 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 aminoacids have
been isolated from its different parts. Broadly, Aegle
marmelos leaves contain alkaloids, Phenylpropanoids,
terpenoids and other miscellaneous compounds whereas
potential pharmacological activity of the leaves are
hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial,
anticancer, radioprotective, chemopreventive and
anti-oxidative activity. Anhydroaegeline can be used as
marker to standardize the plant material with respective
to its potential anti diabetic activity.
Introduction
Aegle marmelos (Linn) correa, commonly known as bael (or
bel), belonging to the family Rutaceae, is a
moderate-sized, slender and aromatic tree. It is
indigenous to India and is abundantly found in the
Himalayan tract, Bengal, Central and South India. It is
extensively planted near Hindu temples for its wood and
leaves which are generally used for worship. Its
branches are armed with sharp straight spines. The bark
is soft, light grey and exfoliating in irregular flakes.
The bright green leaves are alternate and trifoliolate
(rarely five-foliolate). The flowers are greenish white
and sweet-scented, fruits are yellowish grey and globose
with woody rind and seeds are numerous, oblong and
compressed. The roots are fairly large, woody and often
curved Fresh leaf juice is used in asthmatic complaints
and jaundice. The Chinese used the leaves and young
fruits to adulterate Opium. In Bengal it is used for
dysentery. In Konkan, small and unripe fruits are used
for piles. The juice of bark is a remedy for poverty of
seminal fluid.
The plant has been used in the Indian traditional
medicines from time immemorial. It is associated with
various important medicinal properties. Chemical
investigation on the different parts of the plant has
resulted in the isolation of a large number of novel and
interesting metabolites. Some of the compounds have been
screened for bioactivity.
Phytoconstituents
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 aminoacids have been
isolated from its different parts. Notably, majority of
reports on the isolation and compound characterizations
have been reported by many Indian workers. Broadly,
Aegle marmelos leaves contained γ-sitosterol, aegelin,
lupeol, rutin, marmesinin, β-sitosterol, flavone,
glycoside, O-isopentenyl halfordiol, marmeline and
phenylethyl cinnamamides. The detailed investigations on
isolated compound classes are as under:
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