Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa (Bael) and Its Phytochemicals in the Treatment and Prevention of Cancer

Abstract

Aegle marmelos, commonly known as Bael and belonging to the family Rutaceae is an important medicinal plant in the traditional Indian system of medicine, the Ayurveda. The extract prepared by boiling the bark, leaves or roots in water is useful as laxative, febrifuge, and expectorant. The extract is also useful in ophthalmia, deafness, inflammations, catarrh, diabetes, and asthmatic complaints. The fruits are used in treating diarrhea, dysentery, stomach ache, and cardiac ailments. Scientific studies have validated many of Bael's ethnomedicinal properties and its potential antimicrobial effects, hypoglycemic, astringent, antidiarrheal, antidysenteric, demulcent, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, wound-healing, insecticidal, and gastroprotective properties. In addition, studies have also shown that Bael and some of the Bael phytochemicals possess antineoplastic, radioprotective, chemoprotective, and chemopreventive effects, properties efficacious in the treatment and prevention of cancer. For the first time, the current review summarizes the results related to these properties and emphasizes aspects that require further investigation for Bael's safe and effective use in the near future.

Therapeutic potential of Aegle marmelos (L.)-An overview

“…In 2008, approximately 12.7 million new cancer cases (56% of which were in developing regions of the world) and 7.6 million cancer deaths (63% in less developed regions) occurred. By the year 2020, predictions report the incidence of cancer will increase 3-fold, with a disproportionate rise in cancer cases and deaths in developing countries with limited resources to tackle the problem [35] .…”

“…A. marmelos extracts may increase ERa gene expression in MDA-MB-231 (ERα-negative breast cancer cells) and inhibited cell proliferation [35] . A. marmelos leaf extract is also shown to have antineoplastic effects on the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in Swiss albino mice [37] .…”

“…The ethanolic fruit extract has cytotoxic effect on SKBR3 cells in vitro [38] . Experiments have shown that the phytochemicals such as lupeol, eugenol, citral, cineole and d-limonene present in A. marmelos possess antineoplastic effects [35] .…”

“…Some tumor cells have constantly active AKT and may depend on it for survival. By reducing the AKT levels, marmelin decreases the cell survival, proliferation, and invasiveness [35,39] . Lupeol [35] .…”

“…By reducing the AKT levels, marmelin decreases the cell survival, proliferation, and invasiveness [35,39] . Lupeol [35] . Lupeol caused G1-S phase cell cycle arrest and decreased expression of cyclin D1, cyclin D2, and cdk2 with increase in expression of p21 (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, involved in regulation of cell cycle progression) protein in PC-3 cells.…”