Scientists explore the antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic and anti-inflammatory properties of pointed gourd

A recent review published in the journal Food Science and Human Wellness found that pointed gourd (Trichosanthes dioica) has various biological activities that are beneficial to a person’s health. In the review, the team from Bangladesh analyzed the bioactive compounds in pointed gourd using scientific studies.

• Mainly found in tropical Asia, the pointed gourd is a vine plant that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. Its fruit is widely consumed as a vegetable and different parts of this plant are used in traditional medicine to treat various types of health problems.
• In this review, the researchers gathered data from scientific studies on pointed gourd.
• Based on their data, pointed gourd has promising antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, antitumor, cytotoxic, arsenic poisoning ameliorative, anti-inflammatory, and antidiarrheal properties.
• The researchers also identified various types of compounds from pointed gourd, such as peptides like trichosanthin and lectin; triterpenes like cucurbitacin B, euphol, alpha-amyrin, beta-amyrin, lupeol, taraxerol, betulin, and karounidiol; sterols, steroidal saponin, tannin, and flavonoids.
• These findings expand the understanding of the therapeutic potential of pointed gourd and its phytochemical components.

In sum, this review showed the potential health benefits of pointed gourd.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

To read more studies on the health benefits of pointed gourd, visit FoodIsMedicine.com.

Journal Reference: 

Khandaker M, Akter S, Imam MZ. TRICHOSANTHES DIOICA ROXB.: A VEGETABLE WITH DIVERSE PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES. Food Science and Human Wellness. March 2018;7(1):34-48. DOI: 10.1016/j.fshw.2017.12.005