Abstract
Background and aims: The tropical elephant apple, Dillenia indica (D. indica), is predominantly found throughout South Asia, including Bangladesh. Various parts of this plant have been utilized as traditional herbal remedies for thousands of years. D. indica has been recognized for its medicinal properties in treating a range of ailments, including microbial infections, gastrointestinal disorders, fever, headaches, diabetes, malignancies, and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this review paper is to provide a succinct overview of the botanical description, morphology, pharmacological activity, chemical constituents, and therapeutic applications of D. indica.
Methods: Keywords such as D. indica, pharmacological action, phytoconstituents, therapeutic use, and traditional medicine were employed to search research databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Springer, Science Direct, and NIH, up to May 2025. Data were collected from relevant books and literature, which were then analyzed, discussed, and summarized.
Results: Elephant apples are utilized as supplementary ingredients in various therapeutic and food products, supported by numerous published studies that provide comprehensive scientific insights and information about the tree.
Conclusion: D. indica holds significant promise for future development in several fields, particularly in traditional medicine and food processing. As natural products tend to have fewer adverse effects, their application in the prevention and treatment of diseases is increasingly gaining global acceptance.