Aegle marmelos – Modern Herbal medicine

 

Devendra J. Sonawane*, Darshana S. Padvi, Darshana M Borse, Paresh A. Patil

Department of Pharmacology, Ahinsa Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule Road, Dondaicha 425408.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: devendrasonawane001@gmail.com

 

ABSTRACT:

AegleMarmelos, also known as bael in India, is a plant belonging to the Rutaceae family. It has been used to treat    diseases since ancient times. Its various parts, such as fruit, leaves, and bark, stem, and roots, are used in various diseases. It contains a wide range of alkaloids, which are used to treat various ailments. Its medicinal properties include anti-diarrheal, anti-dyestradiol, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-radiol, radio protective, and anti pyretic. It also has analgesic properties, analgesic properties, constipation properties, respiratory infection properties, antioxidant properties, hepatoprotection properties, wound healing properties, and many more. This plant is considered to be one of the most important medicinal plants in the field due to its medicinal properties. It is used in herbalism and is an easily accessible source of healthcare in rural and tribal regions. In this review, we have attempted to summarise the phytochemicals and pharmacological studies of an important medicinal plant, AegleMarmelos. Oxidative Stress and Inflammation are critical factors that play a role in nearly all life style disorders including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, ulcers and cancer. The aim of this study was to isolate and catalyze the catheterization of furanocoatrimin from the earlobes L.

 

KEYWORDS: Aegle marmelos, Phytoconstituents, Part of plant, Therapeutic potential, Toxicological studies, alkaloids, Morphology, Antidiabetic, Antidysentery.

 

 


INTRODUCTION:

Throughout history, numerous plants have been recognized for their medicinal properties, with approximately 80% of the global population relying on traditional medicine for their healthcare needs. These plants are utilized in various systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Tibetan, and others, as documented in ancient texts like Rigveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda, CharakSamhita, and Sushrut Samhita.1 Among these plants, Bilwa, commonly known as the wood apple plant, holds significance and is considered one of the sacred trees in Hindu culture2. The medicinal plants contain secondary metabolites and essential oils that are valuable sources for potential drugs and therapeutic purposes.3

 

 

Pain and inflammation are frequently reported by patients with various diseases.4 Bilwa extracts have demonstrated multiple beneficial effects such as anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-ulcer, antimicrobial, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-cancer, antiviral, radioprotective, and antispermatogenic properties5-13. The continuous generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is harmful and contributes significantly to the onset of degenerative conditions like inflammation, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Inflammation, however, serves as a protective mechanism. The physiological immune response protects the body against various microbial infections and environmental insults like carcinogens.14-15 Plants have historically provided food, clothing, shelter, and medicine to almost all cultures, with around 10 to 15 percent of higher plant species having a traditional medicinal use.16 Aeglemarmelos, also known as Bilwa, is an Indian plant highly valued in traditional medicine systems for its therapeutic properties.  Bilwa, belonging to the Rutaceae family, grows wild in dry forests, the outer Himalayas, and the Shivaliks

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

1. Plant materials: The used in this study were the freshly collected leaves of Aeglemarmelos. These leaves were obtained in June 1996 from the Medicinal Plants Farm in Chennai, India. To ensure their authenticity, the leaves were authenticated by Prof. R. Rengasamy from the Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany at the University of Madras. A voucher specimen has been deposited in the herbarium of the Unit of Phytopharmacology at the University of Madras, Chennai, India, with the reference code.

 

2. Animal: The experiments utilized male Wistar rats and Swiss albino mice, both of which were bred in-house. The rats weighed between 150-200g, while the mice weighed between 20-25g. These animals were kept in the institute's animal house, where they were provided with standard husbandry conditions. The temperature in the animal house was maintained at 25±2C, and the animals had unrestricted access to food and water, following a natural light-dark cycle.

 

3. Drug and chemical: For the experiments, drugs and fine chemicals were sourced from Sigma Chemical Co., based in St. Louis, USA. All other chemicals and solvents were obtained from local firms in India. These chemicals and solvents were of the highest purity and analytical grade, ensuring their quality and suitability for the experiments.

 

4 Preparation of extreaction: The leaves were dried in the shade and then crushed into a course owder. This powder was then subjected to a series of extractions using different solvents such as petroleum ether, chloroform, diethyl ether, acetone, ethanol, and methanol. The cold percolation method was employed for these extractions. As a result, we obtained a petroleum ether extract weighing 4.1 g, a chloroform extract weighing 28.48g, a diethyl ether extract weighing 5.94g, an acetone extract weighing 5.34g, an ethanol extract weighing 30.86g, and a methanol extract weighing 20.98g. The petroleum ether, chloroform, diethyl ether, acetone, and ethanol extracts were mixed with gum acacia, while the methanol extract was mixed with distilled water. These extracts were freshly prepared before use. Each plant extract was administered at a dose of 50mg/kg.17

 

Fig No 1: Leaves and fruit of Aegle marmelos

 

Fig No 2: - Leaves of Aegle marmelos

 

MEDICINAL USE:

1.     Diarrhoea and Dysentery: Bael fruit, whether unripe or half ripe, is a highly effective remedy for both diarrhoea and dysentery. While the ripe fruit is commonly used, the dried fruit powder has also shown the same effectiveness.18. Diarrhoea is a prevalent symptom of gastrointestinal infections, which can be caused by various infectious agents. It poses a significant global health threat, leading to morbidity and mortality, particularly in children under the age of five. Annually, there are over 1000 million episodes and more than 4 million deaths attributed to diarrhoea in this age group.19-20

2.     Antidiabetic Activity: Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent metabolic disorder worldwide, affecting a significant portion of the global population. Factors such as stress, fast food consumption, and alcohol intake contribute to its prevalence. Ayurvedic medicine utilizes leaf extract as a treatment for diabetes.1

3.     Anticancer Activity: Gastric ulcers are caused by the erosion and damage of the stomach wall, which can lead to perforation, peritonitis, and severe bleeding due to the inhibition of mucus bicarbonate and prostaglandins synthesis.21-22 Bael has been shown to inhibit the proliferation of human tumor cell lines, such as K562 and T lymphoid, in vitro. 18 Many potent anti-cancer drugs are costly, mutagenic, and teratogenic. The administration of a 400mg/kg extract has demonstrated anticancer effects in an animal model of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma23-24 Researchers evaluated the anticancer potential of folk medicine from Bangladesh and India, specifically Aeglemarmelos, for its cytotoxic effects using a brine shrimp lethality assay. The extract of Aeglemarmelos exhibited toxicity in all assays used.25

 

4.     Cardio Protective Activity: Aegle marmelos leaf extract has shown preventive effects against isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction in rats. The levels of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase were significantly elevated in the serum but significantly reduced in the heart of rats treated with isoprenaline. Additionally, bael has been reported to have cardiac depressant properties and can be used for palpitation.18

5.     Antimicrobial and Antifungal: Medicinal practice employs antimicrobial drugs to treat foodborne diseases, but an alternative approach could involve using extracts from medicinal plants that contain antimicrobial compounds. Aeglemarmelos extract, for example, exhibits antimicrobial activity and has been effective against different species including Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, and Proteus vulgaris. Additionally, it has been utilized to combat ranikhet disease virus and intestinal parasites.18

6.     Peptic Ulcer: A peptic ulcer occurs when the mucosal layer of the gastrointestinal tract fails to defend against factors like acid, leading to an imbalance between defensive and attacking elements. Factors such as H. pylori bacteria, excessive acid secretion, alcohol consumption, and smoking can induce peptic ulcers, with a high recurrence rate of about 70% after stopping medication. Infusing leaves in water overnight and consuming the strained liquid in the morning is an effective natural remedy for peptic ulcers, providing relief to patients. Additionally, the ripe fruit of Bael is rich in fiber and mucilage, forming a protective layer over the stomach to resist strong acid attacks.18-24-25-26

7.     Antipyretic and Analgesic: Bael extract has demonstrated antipyretic and analgesic properties by significantly inhibiting carrageenan-induced paw edema, cotton pellet granuloma, and paw itching in mice and rats at various time points.18-25-27-30 The use of Bael as an herbal antipyretic is considered safer than synthetic drugs, making it a valuable option for treating fever and pain.28-29 Antipyretic medications work by reducing body temperature during fever without causing hypothermia in individuals with normal body temperature. Fever during infections is triggered by the release of pyrogens such as ILs, TNFα, and interferon, leading to the production of PGE2 in the hypothalamus and an increase in the body's temperature set point.

8.     Constipation: Occurs when there is a lack of water in the stool, resulting in difficulty passing it. Aeglemarmelos, also known as bael fruit, is an effective solution for constipation as it is high in fiber. Fiber plays a crucial role in promoting the movement of gastrointestinal material towards excretion. Additionally, the fiber in bael fruit helps cleanse the intestines.18

 

9.     Pharmacological Properties of Bilwa: Antioxidant activity: Bilwa is reported to possess antioxidant activity against a variety of free radicals. In a recent study of bilwa, it shows that percentage of free radical inhibition was high in unripe fruit than that of the ripe fruit. The aqueous extract of bilwafruit was screened.31

10. Nutritional Use of Bilwa: An examination of the physiochemical properties of bilwa reveals its significant nutritional benefits. The pulp of bilwa is a valuable source of glucose and sugar, often consumed as an energy drink when mixed with milk. Additionally, bilwa contains proteins, fats, fiber, calcium, minerals, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin C, and riboflavin32 In Indonesia, the leaves and shoots of bilwa are commonly used as a green vegetable.33

11. Hepato-protective activity: Aeglemarmelos has been found to have protective effects on liver functions against alcohol-induced alterations, as demonstrated by Arun and Balasubramaniam in 2010 There are two possible modes of work of antioxidant. One is by getting oxidized itself or by creating a protective layer around the active constituents of the material. The antioxidant activity present in the Aegle marmelos confirms the hepatoprotective activity in the same, and it has also been reported.34

12. Immunne modulation: The immunomodulatory properties of the methanol extracts derived from Aeglemarmelos in animals.

13. Respiratory Infection: Aegle marmelos leaf oil is beneficial for treating cold and respiratory infections. To prepare it, mix the extracted leaf juice with an equal amount of sesame oil and heat it.

14. Anti-spermatogenic activity: The leaf extract of Aegle marmelos possesses anti-spermatogenic activity as it resists the process of spermatogenesis and decreases sperm motility in rats.

 

PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS:

·       Qualitative Analysis:

Chemical tests were carried out on the petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol and aqueous extracts using procedures to identify the phytochemicals as described by Sofowara36, Trease and Evans37 and Harborne35

·       Test for Alkaloids:

To 2ml of extract, 2ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid was added. Then few drops of Mayer’s reagent were added. Presence of green color indicated the presence of alkaloids.

·       Test for Flavonoids:

5ml of dilute ammonia solution was added to a portion of the aqueous filtrate of extract followed by addition of concentrated sulphuric acid. Appearance of yellow colouration indicated the presence of flavonoids.

·       Test for Glycosides:

To 2ml of extract, 3ml of chloroform and 10% ammonia solution was added. Pink color formation indicated the presence of glycosides.

 

·       Test for Tannins:

To 1ml of extract, 2ml of 5% ferric chloride was added. Formation of greenish black color indicated the presence of tannins.

 

·       Test for Saponins:

To 2ml of extract, 2ml of distilled water was added and shaken in a graduated cylinder for 15minutes lengthwise. Formation of 1cm layer of foam indicated the presence of saponins

 

·       Test for Terpenoids:

To 0.5ml of extract, 2ml of chloroform was added and concentrated sulphuric acid was added carefully. Red brown color formation at the interface indicated the presence of terpenoids.

 

·       Test for Phenols:

To 1ml of the extract, 2ml of distilled water followed by few drops of 10% ferric chloride was added. Formation of green color indicated the presence of phenols.

 

·       Test for Coumarins:

To 1 ml of extract, 1ml of 10% Sodium hydroxide was added. Formation of yellow color indicated the presence of coumarins.

 

·       Test for Carbohydrates:

To 2ml of extract, 1ml of Molisch’s reagent and few drops of concentrated sulphuric acid were added. Purple colour formation indicated the presence of carbohydrates.

 

PHYTOCONSTITUENT:

Table -1: Chemical constituents Present in different parts of Aegle marmelos

Sr. No

Plant Part

Chemical Constituents

1

Leaf

Skimmianine, Aeglin, Rutin, γ-sitosterole, β-sitosterol, Flavone, Lupeol, Cineol, Citral, Glycoside, O-isopentenyl, Hallordiol, Mameline, Citronellal, Cuuminaldehyde phenylethyle cinnamamides, Euginol, Marmesinin, Aegelin, Glycoside

2

Fruit

Marmelosin, Luvangetin, Aurapten, Psoralen, Marmelide, Tannin, Pheno

3

Bark

Fagarine, Marmin, Furoquinoline, Alkaloids

4

Seed

Essential oil – D- limonene, A-D-phellandrene, Cineol, Citronellal, Citral, P-cyrnene, Cumin aldehyde

5

Root

Alkaloid, Halopine, Coumarins, Terpines

 

Table 2: Pharmacological uses of different parts of Aegle marmelos

Sr. No

Plant Part

Pharmacological Use

1

Leaves

Anti inflammatory, Ulcer, Cause Sterility, or abortion, laxative, asthma, Opthalmia and eye affection, expectorant, cold and respiratory infection, backache, abdominal disorder, vomiting, cut and wounds, dropsy, beriberi, weakness of heart, cholera, diarrhea, cardiac tonic, control blood sugar, nervous disorders, hair tonic, acute bronchitis, veterinary medicine for wound healing, anti worms, stimulation of respiration.

2

Root Bark

Intermittent fever and fish poison, palpitation, melancholia, anti dog bite, gastric troubles, heart disorders, fever, antiamoebic, hypoglycemic, rheumatism

3

Flower

Stomach tonic, anti dysenteric, Antidiabetic, diaphoretic and as a local anesthetic, epilepsy and as an expectorant.

4

Fruit

Dysentery, diarrhea, gastric troubles, constipation, laxative, tonic, digestive, stomachic, brain and heart tonic, ulcer, antiviral

5

Ripe

Treatment of rectum inflammation, antiviral, sweet, cooling, aromatic, nutritive, dysentery

6

Unripe

Astringent, dysentery, stomachache in diarrhea, tonic, digestive, demulcent, treatment of piles.

7

 

Seed

Antibacterial, antifungal

 

CONCLUSION:

Synthetic medicine may not be within reach for everyone, whereas herbal medicine is readily accessible and economically advantageous for all. This article highlights the various benefits of herbal medicine, such as its antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory properties, which are attributed to the presence of numerous phytochemicals. Additionally, herbal medicine is cost-effective. However, further research and development efforts are necessary to enhance the economic and beneficial utilization of these products.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

I am grateful to my guide, Ms. Darshana.M. Borse, and Ms. Shardha Amrutkar the Director, for their invaluable guidance. I would also like to extend a special thanks to my dear friends, Devendra Sonawane and Darshana Padvi, for their cooperation and trust in me throughout the review process.

 

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Received on 18.04.2024         Modified on 07.05.2024

Accepted on 20.05.2024       ©A&V Publications All right reserved

Res. J. Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics.2024;16(3):208-212.

DOI: 10.52711/2321-5836.2024.00035