Golden Apple of Healthcare: Exploring the Synergy Between Aegle marmelos Secondary Metabolites and Global Commercial Wellness Products

Abstract

Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa, commonly known as bael, is an important medicinal plant of the family Rutaceae that has been extensively used in traditional systems of medicine across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. The present review comprehensively summarizes the bioactive phytochemistry, pharmacognosy, therapeutic potential, toxicity profile, extraction methods, and commercial applications of Aegle marmelos. Various parts of the plant, including leaves, fruits, bark, roots, and seeds, are rich sources of diverse phytoconstituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, terpenoids, saponins, glycosides, and essential oils, many of which exhibit significant biological activities. Experimental and preclinical studies have demonstrated a wide range of pharmacological properties, including antidiarrhoeal, antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and diuretic activities. Notably, compounds such as marmelin, lupeol, aegeline, eugenol, and citral have shown promising mechanisms of action involving antioxidant defense, enzyme inhibition, modulation of inflammatory mediators, and induction of apoptosis in cancer cells. Toxicological evaluations indicate that Aegle marmelos extracts are relatively safe at therapeutic doses. In addition to medicinal uses, the plant has considerable commercial value in food products, essential oils, and traditional formulations. Advances in extraction techniques such as maceration and Soxhlet extraction have further facilitated the isolation of bioactive compounds. Overall, this review highlights the immense therapeutic potential of Aegle marmelos and supports its role as a valuable natural resource for the development of novel phytopharmaceuticals and functional foods, while emphasizing the need for further clinical and mechanistic studies to validate its traditional claims.