Aegle marmelos (L.): An underutilized plant with incredible pharmaceutical and nutritional potential
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Date
2025
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Abstract
Aegle marmelos (L.) or bael has a long history of use in traditional medicine across Southeast Asia, with roots in
the ancient Indian traditional medicinal system- Ayurveda. It has therapeutic characteristics in all of its parts,
notably the fruits, leaves, roots, stem, and bark. The plant has a plethora of bioactive compounds which account
for its medicinal properties such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal,
anticancer, diuretic and antiulcer activity. In this review, comprehensive information about the plant like its
therapeutic properties, with focus on the mechanisms of action of bioactive components and their pharmaco
logical efficacy towards variety of chronic diseases is provided. Its nutritional value along with its potential to be
used as a food supplement and a source of nutraceuticals to address nutritional deficiencies is also discussed.
Given its underutilization and limited research, there is an urgent need to increase its awareness among masses
and propagate its ethnopharmacological significance to people, especially in low-income countries, as it has huge
potential to provide pharmacological drugs and nutraceuticals. Conservation efforts are required as it has been
listed as ‘near threatened’ in the IUCN Red list, and also it needs to be propagated for benefit of larger population.