Mimusops elengi: A Review on Ethnobotany, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profile

Abstract

The present review is an attempt to highlight the various ethno botanical and traditional uses as well as phytochemical and pharmacological reports on Mimusops elengi to which commonly known as Bakul and Spanish cherry, belonging to Sapotaceae family. It is a large ornamental evergreen tree cultivated in India and generally reared in gardens for the sake of its fragrant flowers. In the traditional Indian system of medicine, the ayurveda and in various folk system of medicine, the bark, fruit and seeds of Mimusops elengi possess several medicinal properties such as astringent, tonic, and febrifuge. Chemical studies have shown that, Bark contain tannin, some caoutchoue, wax, starch and ash and Flower contain volatile oil as well as Seeds contain fixed fatty oil. Preclinical studies have shown that Mimusops elengi or some part of its phytochemicals possess Analgesic, Antibiotic, Antihyperlipidemic, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antoxidant, Antipyretic, Cytotoxic, Congestive enhancing, Gingival bleeding, Gastic ulcer, Hypotensive activity.