Trichosanthes cucumerina
Ash gouard
Trichosanthes cucumerina, commonly known as Snake Gourd, is a versatile medicinal climber celebrated in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Rich in bioactive compounds, this plant offers significant therapeutic benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and diuretic properties. It is frequently utilized to support digestive health and manage various metabolic ailments naturally.
- Scientific name: Trichosanthes cucumerina
- Family: Cucurbitaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered as Cucurbitales and placed in the family Cucurbitaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Trichosanthes.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Cucurbitales | WCVP |
| Family | Cucurbitaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Trichosanthes | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Trichosanthes cucumerina, is known by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In Hindi, it is referred to as चिचिड़ा, while in Polish, its common name is Gurdlina ogórkowata. In Russian, it is called Трихозант змеевидный. Moving to South India, it is known as ಪಡುವಲಕಾಯಿ in Kannada and as புடோல் in Tamil.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| hi | चिचिड़ा | Wikidata |
| pl | Gurdlina ogórkowata | Wikidata |
| ru | Трихозант змеевидный | Wikidata |
| kn | ಪಡುವಲಕಾಯಿ | Wikidata |
| ta | புடோல் | Wikidata |
| et | Harilik madukurk | Wikidata |
| de | Schlangenhaargurke | Wikidata |
| bn | চিচিঙ্গা | Wikidata |
| ml | പടവലങ്ങ | Wikidata |
| mr | पडवळ | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, Trichosanthes cucumerina, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing within the borders of Benin. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit the landscapes of Guinea-Bissau. Its presence continues through the territory of Guinea, further establishing its regional reach. Finally, the plant's distribution extends to include the Ivory Coast and Senegal.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Madagascar | WCVP |
Chemicals
Trichosanthes cucumerina has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include bryonolic acid, cucurbitacin B, 6-BA, Ca²⁺, KT.
- Total chemicals
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 15
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| bryonolic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cucurbitacin B | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6-BA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ca²⁺ | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| KT | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| NAA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colchicine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cucurbitadienol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isomultiflorenol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Trichosanthes cucumerina has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Trichosanthes cucumerina has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include breast cancer, Bacillus subtilis, E. coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Total uses
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| breast cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus subtilis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| E. coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Proteus mirabilis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |