Pharmacognostical, Phytochemical, Pharmacological and Toxicological Review on Trichosanthesanguina Linn

Abstract

Traditional medicine is widely spread globally and it is the almost exclusive source of primary health care for 80% of the world’s population. Herbal medicines are regarded by the public and some health care providers to be gentle and safe, despite a paucity of scientific evidence to support such beliefs.Trichosanthes anguina Linn. (Cucurbitaceae) is widely distributed in Asian countries including Sri Lanka, India, Malay Penisula and Philippine. It is used as a tonic and to cure coughs and bilious attacks. The seeds are purgative, anthelmintic and used in the treatment of syphilis.Seeds are given in disorder of stomach. Unripe fruit is very bitter and dried capsule are given in infusion or in decoction with sugar to assist digestion. The observation of living plants in the field is useful for the assessment of various aspects of the habit of Trichosanthes because these aspects may be not clear from the herbarium specimens. Most species are perennial climbers, often with tuberous roots, and some are annual. Perennial female plants frequently die after fruiting (monocarpous), but new shoots may be produced by the tubers in some species. Pharmacognostical, phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological activity of Trichosanthes Anguina Linn is briefly introduced in this review.

Key words: Trichosanthes Anguina Linn, Phytochemical, Pharmacological, Cucurbitaceae