Benefits of Benincasa Hispida Fruit

Baicalein

February 28, 2019

Betula Platyphylla Bark

February 28, 2019

Benincasa Hispida Fruit

Benincasa Hispida or the Winter Melon is a perennial that grows from a vine in tropical climates.

This amazing fruit has been used as an antidote for lead poisoning, stimulating growth, boosting the metabolism and more! This melon is harvested in the winter thus it's name. This fruit can weigh to be roughly thirty pounds and originates in Southeast and South Asia. However it is now being cultivated in the US, Australia and Europe.

This melon contains many vitamins which are known to keep infections minimal and assists in detoxifying the liver.

Gastroprotective - In this study, the antiulcer activity of Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. fruit was evaluated in rats against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage, pylorus ligated (PL) gastric ulcers, and cold restraint-stress (CRS)-induced gastric ulcer models.

Both the extracts produced significant reduction in ulcer index (P < 0.05) in all the models and the results were comparable with that of omeprazole-treated group.

Petroleum ether and methanol extracts of B. hispida possess significant antiulcer as well as antioxidant property.

(Article)

Anti-Angiogenic - This study was carried out to evaluate anti-angiogenic effect of the seed extract of Benincasa hispida Cogniaux. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potent angiogenic factor found in various tumors.

In this study, we found that the seed extract of Benincasa hispida Cogniaux decreased bFGF-induced endothelial cell proliferation and tube formation in a dose-dependent manner.

These results suggest that the seed extract of Benincasa hispida inhibits the proliferation of endothelial cells induced by bFGF, which may explain its anti-angiogenic properties.

(Article)

Anti-Diabetic - This study was designed to examine the effects of fractions of ethanol extract of Benincasa hispida (wax gourd) on hepatic antioxidative status in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were induced diabetes mellitus by STZ injection (45 mg/kg) into the tail vein and were divided into 5 groups.

The hepatic cytosol catalase (CAT) activity was significant decreased by the supplementation with BuOH fraction. It was found from the results that the supplementation of BuOH and H2O fractions of Benincasa hispida extract could be beneficial for the diabetic complications and damages from the lipid peroxidation.

(Article)

Kidney Protective - It was shown in an SD mouse experiment that B. hispida juice and its extract could increase urination quantity, reduce the degree of pathological changes of kidney disease caused by mercuric chloride, and significantly decrease blood serum creatinine content. Pathological histology showed that both the total amino acids (in large dose) and cncurbitacine from B. hispida had significant protection and blocking effects upon the kidney injure caused by mercuric chloride.

(Article)

Antinociceptive - The seeds of Benincasa hispida (Thunb) COGN. (Family: Cucurbitaceae) was extracted with ethanol and was used to study acute toxicity, antinociceptive and anti-pyretic effects. Brewer’s yeast (15%) was used to induce pyrexia in rats.

These results indicate that ethanolic extract of Benincasa hispida possesses potent antinociceptive and antipyretic effects and thus pharmacologically justifying its folkloric use in the management of fever and pain conditions.

(Article)

Anti-Inflammation - This study investigates the mechanism of anti-vascular inflammatory activity of an aqueous extract of B. hispida Cogniaux (ABH) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The study was performed on HUVECs that were pretreated with various concentrations (1–20 µg/ml) of ABH before exposure with high glucose.

These results suggest that ABH reduces high glucose-induced cell adhesion molecules activation by inhibiting monocyte adhesion, ROS, and NF-κB in HUVECs.

(Article)

Anti-Diarrheal - The methanolic extract of fruit of Benincasa hispida (BHFE) was evaluated for its antidiarrheal potential against several experimental models of diarrhea in rats. BHFE treated animals showed significant inhibitory activity against castor oil induced diarrhea and inhibited PGE2 induced enter pooling in rats. It also showed significant reduction in gastro intestinal motility following charcoal meal in rats. The result obtained and establishes the efficacy of BHFE as an antidiarrheal agent.

(Article)

Cardiovascular Disease - The aims of this study were to investigate the abilities of antioxidation and inhibition of angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) activity of wax gourd pulp, core, seed, and peel prepared by different extraction methods. The fresh weights required to reach 50% inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation were higher in fresh extracts, compared to other extraction methods.

The higher antioxidant capacity of the seed may result from the higher total phenolics contents and superoxide dismutase activity. The abilities of antioxidation and ACE activity inhibition may provide protective effects against cardiovascular diseases and cancers.

(Article)

Anti-obseity - In this study they investigated the anorectic effect of the methanol extract of Benincasa hispida (MEBH) in Swiss albino mice.

The present study reveals for the first time a possible anorectic activity of Benincasa hispida, most probably mediated through the CNS without affecting the gastric emptying. However, further studies are required to find its potential as an antiobesity agent.

(Article)