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INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHARMACY
www.irjponline.com ISSN 2230 – 8407
Review Article
PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROFILE OF LAGENARIA SICERARIA:
AN OVERVIEW
Nidhi Tyagi*, Ganesh N Sharma, Vikas Hooda
Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Jaipur National University, Jaipur-302001, India
Article Received on: 03/01/12 Revised on: 17/02/12 Approved for publi cation: 09/03/12
*Email: nidhityagi029@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Cucurbitaceae family i s major source of medicinal a gents since ancient time. Various plants parts including fruits of this family have been established for their
pharmacological potential. Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) standley (family Cucurbitaceae) commonly known as lauki (Hindi) and bottle gourd (English) is a
medicinal plant. It is used as medicine in India, China, European countries, Brazil, Hawaiian island, etc. for its cardiotonic, general tonic and diuretic
properties. Further the antihepatotoxic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, antihyperglycemic, immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities of
its fruit extract ha ve been evaluated. It is used as vermifuge purgative diuretic and it is also recommended for increa sing lactation for la ctating women..Fruits
are also used in treatment of cancer, pain, ulcer, fever, pectoral cough, asthma and other bronchial disorders. In many countries, this plant has been used
traditionally a s a single treatment for diabetes mellitus possess immunosuppressive, antitumour, antiviral, antiprolifera tive and anti-HIV activities. This study
is an attempt to compile an up-to-date and comprehensive r eview of Lagenaria siceraria that covers its tra ditional and folk medicinal uses, phytochemistry
and pharmacology profile.
KEYWORDS: Lagenaria siceraria, Cucurbitaceae, Traditional uses.
INTRODUCTION
Cucurbitaceae family is commonly known as gourd, melon
and pumpkin family. This family is composed of 118 genera
and 825 species which are widely distributed in the warmer
region of world1. Among all the plants of Cucurbitaceae
family Lagenaria species is the most popular. The bottle
gourd belongs to the genus Lagenaria that is derived from the
word lagena, meaning the bottle. In the older literature it is
often referred to as Lagenaria vulgaris (common) or
Lagenaria leucantha (white flowered gourd), but now it is
known as Lagenaria siceraria. Lagenaria siceraria (Molina)
standley (family Cucurbitaceae) commonly known as lauki
(Hindi) and bottle gourd (English) is a medicinal plant2. .The
plant is widely available throughout India. It is a climbing or
trailing herb, with bottle- or dumb-bell shaped fruits. Both its
aerial parts and fruits are commonly consumed as a
vegetable. Traditionally, it is used as medicine in India,
China, European countries, Brazil, Hawaiian island, etc. for
its cardiotonic, general tonic and diuretic properties3.The
cultivated form of L. Siceraria is considered to be of African
and Asian origin. Lagenaria siceraria is a popular vegetable,
grown almost all the year round, particularly in frost free
areas. It can be cultivate in all kinds of soil, but thrives best in
heavily manured loams. It requires warm humid climate or
plenty of water when grown during dry weather. Seeds may
be sown in nursery beds and seedlings transplanted when
they have put forth 2-3 leaves. They may be also sown
directly, 4-5 seeds together, in manured beds or pits 5-6ft.
Apart; the strongest among the seedlings is retained, while
others are removed and transplanted. Seedling transplantation
is where an early crop is desired, generally two crop raised in
India; the summer crop is sown from the middle of October
to the middle of March and the later crop, from the beginning
of March to the Middle of July. Round fruit types are usually
sown for the early crop and bottle–shaped types for the
second crop. Vines are allowed to trail on the ground or
trained over walls. Trees, or other support trailing over to
give high yield of fruit4.
TAXONOMICAL CLASSIFICATION5
Kingdom
Plantae
Division
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Cucurbitales
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Genus
Lagenaria
Species
L. siceraria
SYNONYMES 5
Sanskrit
Alabu, Tumbi Ishavaaku, Katutumbi, Tiktaalaabu,
alaabu
Bengali
Laus, Lokitumbi
English
Bottle Gourd
Gujrati
Dudi, Tumbadi
Hindi
Lauki, Ghia
Kannad
Isugumbala, Tumbi
Malyalam
Chorakka, Churan, Choraikka, Piccura,Tumburini,
Cura, Tumburu
Marathi
Phopla
Punjabi
Tumbi, Dani
Tamil
Shorakkai, Surai, Suraikkai
Telugu
Sorakaya, Anapakaya
Urdu
Ghiya, Lauki
Characteristics of Lagenaria siceraria
Transverse section of upper epidermis of Lagenaria siceraria
leaf consists of elongated parenchymatous cells, covered by
cuticle. It shows few stomata, which are of anisocytic type,
palisade cells at upper and hexagonal to polygonal at lower
epidermis. Thin walled contains colourless cells, which are
may be water storing. Mesophyll is made up of 3-4 layered
chloroplast containing, compactly arranged, oval to circular
cells. It is interrupted by vascular bundles of various sizes.
Vascular bundles are surrounded by 2-3layered
Nidhi Tyagi et al. IRJP 2012, 3 (3)
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sclerenchyma. They are conjoint, collateral and closed.
Xylem is placed towards lower epidermis lower epidermis
contains elongated wavy walled parenchymatous cells
covered by cuticle. Number of covering and collapsed
trichomes is present, while very few glandular trichomes are
also present6.
Phytoconstituents of Lagenaria siceraria
Analysis of edible portion of the fruit gave following values:
moisture, 96.3; protein, 0.2; fat (ether extract), 0.1;
carbohydrates 2.9; mineral matter 0.5; calcium 0.02; and
phosphorus < 0.01%. Other mineral elements reported to be
present are: iron (0.7 mg/ 100g.), sodium (11.0 mg./100g).,
potassium (86.0 mg/100g.) And iodine (4.5 mcg/ kg.).
Glucose and fructose have been detected. The amino acid
composition of the fruit is as follows: leucines 0.8;
Phenylalanine 0.9; valine 0.3; tyrosine 0.4; alanine 0.5;
threonine 0.2; glutamic acid 0.3; serine 0.6; aspartic acid 1.9;
cystine 0.6; cysteine 0.3; arginine 0.4; and proline 0.3mg/g.
The fruit is a good source of B vitamins and a fair source of
ascorbic acid. Bitter fruits yield 0.013% of solid foam
containing cucurbitacins B, D, G and H, mainly cucurbitacin
B; these bitter principles are present in the fruit as aglycones.
Leaves contain cucurbitacin B and roots, cucurbitacins B, D
and E7. Phytochemical screening of the fruit revealed two
steroids were isolated from the petroleum ether fraction and
they were identified as fucosterol and campesterol8. Sugar
and phenolic content of the fresh product were assayed,
providing a partial nutritional characterisation of this
vegetable. Glucose and fructose (about 1:1 ratio) and traces
of sucrose were found; in Addition, a small amount of
unidentified mono- and dicaffeoylquinic Acid derivatives
was detected9 . Flavonoid complexes occurring in the
medicinal plants Lagenaria siceraria were found to be flavone
Cglycosides10. Four new D:C-friedooleanane-type
Triterpenes isolated, 3b -O-(E)-feruloyl-D:Cfriedooleana-
7,9(11)-dien-29-ol, 3b -O-(E)-Coumaroyl-D:Cfriedooleana-
7,9(11)-dien-29-ol, 3b-O-(E)-coumaroyl-D:Cfriedooleana-
7,9(11)-dien-29-oic acid, and methyl 2b ,3b - dihydroxy-D:C-
friedoolean-8-en-29-oate11. A water-soluble polysaccharide,
isolated from fruiting bodies of Lagenaria siceraria, is
composed of methyl-á-d-galacturonate, 3-O-acetyl methyl-á-
d-galacturonate, and â-d-galactose in a ratio of nearly 1:1:1.
This polysaccharide showeds cytotoxic activity in vitro
against human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7)12.
Seeds are reported to cotain saponin. Analysis of seed kernals
(68% of seed wt.) Gives following values: moisture, 2.47;
protein,30.72; oil,52.54; carbohydrates,8.3; fiber, 1.58;
ash,4.43; cao,0.11; and P2O3 , 2.46%. The oil obtained from
seed kernals is clear and pale yellow. Kernels from ripe seeds
gave 45% of oil with the following characteristics: n40d ,
1.4711; sap.equiv., 301.6; iodine value ,126.5; free fatty
acids,0.54%; and unsaponified matter , 0.67% . The
components of free fatty acids are: linoleic acids 64.0; oleic,
18.2; and saturated fatty acids, 17.8% 2. Seeds are reported to
contain Lagenin13. Atriterpene bryonolic acid an antiallergic
compound was reported from callus culture of lagenaria
siceraria roots24. Bitter fruits yield 0.013% of a solid form
containg cucurbitacins B,D,G and H mainly cucurbitacin B.
These bitter principles are present in the fruit of agalycones.
The leaves contain cucurbitacins B,D and traces of E. The
fruit juice contains beta –glycosidase (elasterase)14.The
mucilage is also present in the fruit, which can be extracted
by microwave assistant extraction15.
Pharmacological Activity
Antidiabetic activity
Saha et al.,(2011), evaluated the methanolic extract of
Lagenaria siceraria aerial parts for antidiabetic activity
,using streptozotocin induced diabetes in rats and proved that
the aerial part of the Lagenaria siceraria posses potent
antihyperglycemic activity which is probably attributable to
its rich flavanoid content and concluded that MELS
(methanolic extract of Lagenaria siceraria) supplementation
is quite beneficial in controlling the blood glucose level,
without producing hypoglycemia; additionally, it improves
lipid metabolism and represents a protective mechanism
against the development of atherosclerosis, and prevents
diabetic complications from lipid peroxidation by improving
the antioxidant status in experimental diabetic rats17.
Antihyperlipidemic activity
Nainwal et al.,(2011), evaluated the juice of fresh fruits of
Lagenaria siceraria for antihyperlipidemic activity by
evaluating the blood cholesterol level of atherogenic diet rat
and proved that juice of the fresh fruits of Lagenaria
siceraria have the potent effect to cause a blood cholesterol
lowering effect and the serum biochemistry changes may
suggest that the juice extract has a tonic effect on the kidneys
and the liver and their organs play central role in drug
metabolism16.
Ghule et al.,(2009), evaluated antihyperlipidemic effect of
the methanolic extract from Lagenaria siceraria fruit in
hyperlipidemic rats and proved that at the 30th day most
significant reduction in lipid levels in the LSFE treated rats as
compared to the rats fed with high-fat diet at the 0th day and
shows that the increase in weight in rats administered with
LSFE was less when compared to rats fed with high-fat
diet.18
Mohane et al.,(2008), evaluated the fruits of Lagenaria
siceraria for antihyperlipidemic activity of isolated
constituent using the solvents according to the polarity in
ascending order i.e. by using chloroform, acetic acid,
methanol, pyridine and water. Thin layer chromatography
used active fraction obtained by column chromatography for
further isolation .four spots were obtained and were named as
LSN-1, LSN-2 ,LSN-3 and LSN-4and TLC isolated
compound were tested for antihyperlipidemic activity and
compound has shown significant result. The study exhibited
that evaluated levels of blood cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL
were significantly reduced and decreased HDL was
significantly increased by the administration of fraction of
Lagenaria siceraria fruit juice19.
Ghule et al.,(2006), evaluated the antihyperlipidemic effect
of four different extract
via. petroleum ether, chloroform, alcoholic and aqueous
extracts from the Lagenaria siceraria in triton induced
hyperlipidemic rats and their hypolipidemic rats and proved
that chloroform and alcoholic extract exhibited more
significant effect in lowering total cholesterol, triglycerides
and low density lipoprotein along with increase in HDL as
compared to other20.
Diuretic activity
Ghule et al.,(2007), evaluated the vacuumed dried juice
extract and methanolic extract of the fruit of Lagenaria
siceraria for diuretic activity using total urine volume and
urine concentration of electrolyte method in albino rats and
proved that the vacuum dried juice extract and methanolic
Nidhi Tyagi et al. IRJP 2012, 3 (3)
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extract showed higher urine volume when compared to
respective control.21
Analgesic activity
Shah and Seth (2010), evaluated methanolic and aqueous
extract of Lagenaria siceraria for analgesic activity, using
tail immersion method in rats and proved that methanolic
extract posses moderate analgesic activity, while the aqueous
extract shows significant analgesic activity.22
Central nervous system activity
Pawar et al., (2010), evaluated the crude petroleum ether ,
chloroform , and methanolic extract of leaves of Lagenaria
siceraria for analgesic and central nervous system activity
using writhing , hot plate , tail flick method in rat and proved
that the petroleum ether , methanol , and chloroform extract
shows significant analgesic activity but petroleum ether
extract shows maximum analgesic activity among them23.
Hypertensive activity
Mali et al.,(2010), evaluated the antihypertensive activity of
Lagenaria siceraria fruit powder in dexamethasone induced
hypertension in rats and proved that the Lagenaria siceraria
pretreatment partially reversed dexamethasone induced
hypertension where as Lagenaria siceraria reduced mean
arterial blood pressure and heart rate and concluded that
Lagenaria siceraria fruit powder pretreatment for 51 days
partially reverse dexamethasone induce hypertension in
rats24.
Anticancer activity
Saha et al., (2010), Evaluated the methanolic extract of
Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standley aerial parts for
anticancer activity using Enrlich’ Ascites carcinoma model in
mice and proved that the Lagenaria siceraria possess
significant anticancer activity which may be due to its
cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity25.
CNS depressant activity
Ananga et al.,(2010), Evaluated the aqueous fruit extract of
Lagenaria siceraria for pharmacological activity in vitro and
in vivo and proved that the Lagenaria siceraria have been
shown to certain potent bioactive compound with potent
analgesic effect and non specific C.N.S depressant activity ,
among other and may be of value in psychotherapy as
narcoleptic agent and also confirmed some of the folkloric
uses26.
Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity
Saha et al., (2011), Evaluated the methanolic extract of the
aerial parts of the Lagenaria siceraria for antioxidant and
hepatoprotective activity using DPPH, nitric oxide,
superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and total phenolic and
flavanoid content estimation method in rats and proved that
methanolic extract of aerial parts show the significant in vitro
antioxidant and potent hepatoprotective activity27.
Cardioprotective activity
Fard et al., (2008), evaluated the cardioprotective effect of
Lagenaria siceraria fruit powder against the cardiotoxicity of
doxorubicin in wistar male . and proved that the Lagenaria
siceraria possessed cardioprotective effect against
doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicy in rats28.
USES
It is used as medicine in India, China, European countries,
Brazil, Hawaiian island, etc. for its cardiotonic, general tonic
and diuretic21 properties. Further, the antidiabetic17,
antihyperlipidemic18-20 antihepatotoxic, analgesic22, CNS
activity23, hypertension24, anticancer25, CNS depressant26,
Cardioprotective28, antiinflammatory, antihyperglycemic,
immunomodulatory and antioxidant27 activities of its fruit
extract have been evaluated . A novel protein, lagenin, has
also been isolated from its seeds and it possesses antitumor,
immunoprotective and antiproliferative properties13.
Although extensive studies have been carried out on its fruits
and seeds, the pharmacology of the aerial parts of L. siceraria
has not been studied yet. In many countries, this plant has
been used traditionally as a single treatment for diabetes
mellitus29.
Traditional uses
Cooked lauki is cooling, calming and acts as diuretic. It
makes you relax after eating. But don’t eat the vegetable raw
as it can harm the stomach and intestines.It plays a very
important role in treating urinary disorders. Prepare a glass of
fresh juice by grating lauki and then mixing it with limejuice.
Drink it once a day to combat the burning sensation caused
by the high acidity of urine. It can be had along with sulpha
drugs to treat urinary infection as it acts as an alkaline
diuretic. Lauki juice is an excellent remedy for excessive
thirst caused by diarrhea, over consumption of fatty or fried
foods, and diabetes. Drink a glass of this juice with a little
salt added to it to treat this condition. A glass of lauki juice
with a little salt added to it prevents excessive loss of sodium,
satiating thirst and keeping you refreshed in summer.If you
are on a low calorie diet, suffering from digestive problems,
are diabetic or convalescing, then lauki is must for you as it is
easily digestible and low in calories30.
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