Abstract

Background and Aim-Aegle marmelos L. is a medicinal plant used in traditional formulations for the treatment of various disease conditions. The physicochemical properties fluctuate with the season and in response to stress. To obtain the highest medicinal value it is necessary to collect the plant raw material in the correct season. The present study was aim to evaluate the physiochemical fluctuations in the leaves of Aegle marmelos and the aegelin, an antidiabetic constituent in these leaves.Experimental procedure-Leaves were collected in summer, winter, and rainy seasons and subjected to authentication and standardization. The leaves were evaluated for the macroscopic and microscopic evaluation, quantitative microscopy, proximate analysis, extractive values in petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, water, and determination of the concentration of antidiabetic component aegelin.Results and Conclusion-The leaves showed morphological and microscopical variations in different seasons. The phytochemical composition was the same in all seasons however the levels of extractive values fluctuated in response to seasonal variations. Maximum levels of ethanol and water extract were obtained in the winter season also the aegelin concentration was higher in this season. The suitable raw material collection season can be decided based on the present study according to the purpose of utilization of plant material

Keywords

Secondary metabolites, Herbal medicines, alkaloids, antidiabetic, seasonal variations