Bioactive Compounds and Health-Promoting Properties of Elephant Apple (Dillenia indica L.)
Introduction
- Biodiversity: India has 45,000 plant species, being a biodiversity hotspot; Dilleniaceae family shows therapeutic potential.
- Elephant Apple (Dillenia indica): Grows in Southeast Asia; significant in India and neighboring countries; belongs to Dilleniaceae family.
- Cultural Usage: Used by tribal and folk societies for therapeutic purposes.
Nutritional and Phytochemical Composition
- Nutritional Value: High in vitamin C, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, protein, minerals, and fatty acids.
- Phytochemicals: Includes flavonoids, tannins, triterpenoids, alkaloids, and more.
- Flavonoids and Phenolic Compounds: Antioxidants, antimicrobial and other health benefits.
- Triterpenoids and Steroids: Found in various parts; linked to heart health.
- Alkaloids: Potential therapeutic uses; found in significant amounts.
Health Benefits
- Antioxidant Activity: Rich in phenolics and flavonoids contributing to free radical scavenging.
- Antimicrobial Activity: Effective against bacteria and fungi; useful in treating infections.
- Antidiabetic: Shown to reduce blood sugar levels and improve lipid profiles.
- Anticancer: Contains betulinic acid; demonstrated cytotoxicity against cancer cells.
- Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammation; useful in various inflammatory diseases.
- Antidiarrhoeal and Analgesic: Relief from diarrhoea and pain; supports traditional uses.
- Anxiolytic, Anti-arthritic, and Hepatoprotective: Significant effects in reducing anxiety, arthritis symptoms, and liver protection.
- Antimutagenic and Immunostimulating: Potential to reduce mutation effects and boost immunity.
Traditional Uses
- Culinary Uses: Consumed as raw, juice, pickles, curry, jams, chutneys.
- Medicinal Uses: Treats fever, dysentery, diabetes, and more; used in herbal remedies for various conditions.
Pharmaceutical Applications
- Drug Delivery: Mucilage from elephant apple used as a natural mucoadhesive polymer in drug formulations.
- Potential as Excipients: Shows promise in developing pharmaceutical preparations due to its mucoadhesive properties.
Conclusion
- Therapeutic Potential: Elephant apple is rich in bioactive compounds with significant therapeutic uses.
- Research Needs: Further studies needed to explore bioactive compounds; potential for novel discoveries in disease prevention.
References
- Study Acknowledgements: Supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Assam.
- Conflict of Interest: None declared by authors.
Note: This is a synthesized review of the bioactive properties of Elephant Apple and its potential in health applications, providing an overview of nutritional and medicinal benefits.