AEGLE MARMELOS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ITS ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY, PHYTOCHEMISTRY, THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS, AND NETWORK PHARMACOLOGY INSIGHTS

Abstract

Aegle marmelos, commonly known as bael, is a culturally significant medicinal plant extensively used in Ayurveda and traditional medicine systems of South and Southeast Asia. Its leaves, fruits, roots, and bark possess therapeutic value for gastrointestinal, metabolic, inflammatory, microbial, and neurological disorders. The plant contains a rich array of phytochemicals, including coumarins, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds, which underpin its pharmacological activities. Recent approaches such as network pharmacology and molecular docking have revealed multi-target mechanisms involving key signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and inflammatory cytokine networks. This review consolidates classical and modern knowledge on A. marmelos, highlighting its historical background, chemical constituents, pharmacological relevance, and new in-silico insights.