Mimusops elengi – Ethnobotanical knowledge, phytochemical studies, pharmacological aspect and future prospects

The aim of this article is to highlight the importance of plant species Mimusops elengi Linn. It is more commonly known as ‘Bakul’ belongs to family Sapotaceae is plant species native to India. Ayurveda and traditional medicine utilize the stem, barks, leaves, and fruits of this plant to cure a number of ailments. Various phytochemicals have been extracted from several extracts from various parts of this plant. Tannins, alkaloids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, steroids, flavonoids, reducing sugars etc. are some of the group of compounds that are isolated from the plants due to presence of such phytochemicals. Hence, Mimusops elengi L. shows a lot of pharmacological activities. Antibacterial, Antifungal, Anti-helminthic, Antidiuretic, Larvicidal, wound healing, Anti-HIV, Analgesic, Antipyretic, Anticancer, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-hyperlipidemic, Cognitive enhancing, Antioxidant, Anti-anxiety, Anti spermatic, Anti-diabetic activity are few of the reported activities. Potential commercial applications of Mimusops elengi L. have also been highlighted in this article.