A Review on Wood Apple Pharmaceutical Application

Wood apple, also known as Limonia acidissima or Feronia limonia, belongs to the family Rutaceae and is commonly referred to as elephant apple or monkey fruit due to its hard wooden shell and appeal to elephants. It is cultivated in India, Sri Lanka, Penang Island, and Southeast Asian countries. The fruit is oval to round, with a greyish-white shell, brown pulp, white seeds, and a sweet-tangy taste. All parts of the wood apple tree, including leaves, bark, roots, and fruit pulp, are used in traditional medicine for treating various ailments such as snake bites, liver and cardiac conditions, diarrhoea, dysentery, sore throat, gum diseases, and asthma. It exhibits anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and is used as a refrigerant, stimulant, astringent, diuretic, cardio tonic, and tonic for liver and lungs. Ayurveda suggests wood apple for ear pain and irritation, and its mature fruit helps prevent gum and teeth problems. Research indicates wood apple fruit extract can reduce lipid profiles, increase hepatic glycogen and HDL levels, and inhibit several microbial strains. It also shows anti-cancer properties against various cancer cells. The fruit is rich in phytoconstituents like vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, fiber, protein, iron, carbohydrates, and dietary fiber, contributing to its nutritional and medicinal value.