Feronia elephantum Correa: A Potential Traditional Drug

Abstract

There are number of herbal plants used as medicines from the ancient time. Chemical constituents from those plants isolated for wide range of diseased condition utilizes in from the ancient times in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha etc. systems. Feronia elephantum Correa from the family Rutaceae also known as Kaith, Wood apple is one of them which have many chemical constituents with important medicinal purposes and diseases like Diabetes mellitus, ulcer, as diuretic, liver tonic etc. Leaves of the plant are astringent, carminative and prescribed for vomiting, dysentery, hiccough, indigestion and slight bowel affections of children. The fruits are used as dessert, source of beverages and juices. The fruit pulp is used externally as a remedy for certain insect bite. The bark is aromatic and cooling, useful in vitiated conditions of pitta. It is indigenous in South India, Java, Myanmar, Malaysia and Ceylon and cultivated in many parts of India. This plant is already used traditionally in Sri Lanka for many purposes like vomiting, dysentery etc. Chemical constituents isolated from the plant different parts already investigated for many pharmacological and pharmaceutical activities like Anti-ulcer, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, cytotoxic, Antitumor, Antihistaminic, Hepatoprotective, Antifungal, Antifertility and Anti-inflammatory. This article is an attempt to compile all the details of plant Feronia elephantum Correa.