Bioactive Compounds of Bael (Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa)

Abstract

Bael [Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa] is an important fruit yielding and medicinal tree which is indigenous to Indian subcontinent. Fruits, leaves, stem, stem bark, root, and root bark of Aegle marmelos are utilized in Ayurvedic system of medicine to cure majority of human ailments. Aegle marmelos fruits have dietary and nutraceutical importance and are used in the preparation of jam, squash, toffee, slab, and wine. Extracts of fruits, leaves, stem, stem bark, root, and root bark of Aegle marmelos as well as isolated compounds have been demonstrated to possess several medicinal properties which have been widely employed. In this chapter, we presented the nutritional status of Aegle marmelos fruits, chemical compounds isolated from different parts of the Aegle marmelos plant, and pharmacological properties of Aegle marmelos extracts and their purified compounds.