INTRODUCTION:

Benincasa hispida (Synonym: Benincasa cerifera) which usually known as (winter melon, ash gourd, ash guard, winter gourd, white pumpkin and wax gourd. white gourd, animal oil gourd, gourd melon and Chinese watermelon) belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. it's common vegetable crop, notably among Asian countries both for biological and medicative purposes^1,2. All part of the plant is used medicinally. The plant grows annually. This plant could be a crawling with branched tendrils which will climb over with the help of some support, cover fences or sprawl on the bottom. Stems are thick, hairy, grooved conspicuously and lined with sharp bristles. Leaves are spherical, kidney shaped with higher rough surface. These have beautiful flower of golden yellow color. Fruits contain varied white coloured embedded seeds^1-3. However, the plant was used medicinally in various complains such as gastrointestinal problems, respiratory disease, heart diseases, diabetes mellitus and urinary diseases³.

Fruits were historically used as a laxative, diuretic, tonic, aphrodisiac, cardiotonic, urinary calculi, blood disease, insanity, epilepsy, schizophrenia and other psychologic disorders, jaundice, dyspepsia, fever, and menstrual disorders^4-6. Plants contain several phytochemicals like alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, phenolic compounds, amino acids, steroids, triterpenoids and saponins⁷. Polyphenols have good inhibitor activity, which helps to reduce the side effects of diseases like neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular, cancer, liver disease and infectious disease⁸. Tannins exhibit significant inhibitory effect on pancreatic lipase activity and fat absorption from the intestine⁹. The methanolic extract of the fruit is reportable to possess antiulcer¹⁰, anti-inflammatory drug¹¹, antihistaminic, antidepressant drug¹² and bronchodilator¹³ antihistaminic, analgesic and diuretic drug. The plant might have various kind of phytochemicals that are flavonoid, saponin, glycosides, tannins, steroids, beta-carotens, triterpenoids etc. There are also the presence of disaccharide like glucose, sucrose, maltose etc.

Plant Profile:

Scientific Classification:

· Kingdom: Plantae

· Order: Cucurbitales

· Family: Cucurbitaceae

· Tribe: Benincaseae

· Subtribe: Benincasinae

· Genus: Benincasa

· Species: B. hispida

· Scientific name: Benincasa hispida (Thub.) Cogn.

· Vernacular name:

· Sanskrit: Kushmanda, Brihatphala, Pushpaphala, Pitapushpa, etc.

· Hindi: Petha, Pethakaddu.

· English: Ash gourd (Chinese) Winter melon, Fuzzy melon, Green pumpkin, Wax gourd, White gourd, furry Melon.

Global distribution:

It is probably native in Japan, Java and Malaysia, cultivated throughoutin India and in warm countries. It is cultivated for its fruits in the plain of India, Burma and Ceylon, and on hills up to 4000ft. In plains seeds are sown during February-March and on hills in March-May.

Propagation and Cultivation:

Crop can be grown in plains in late winter by adopting poly house technology. Seedling during Dec-Jan. The optimum temperature when growing is 73- 82 degree F and moderate rainfall but no hot, humid tropics. 5month process to develop mature plant. Where large fruits are wanted they are grown on flat grounds otherwise they are allowed to climb on fences¹⁴.

Phytoconstituent study:

The Benincasa hispida fruit has various type of chemical constituent present. It use for medicinal purposes from ancient time. Mainly the fruit contains cucuribitine a bitter resin, myosin, vitelin, sugar etc. The seed contain fixed oil. Other constituent present in fruit are sitosterol, lupeol, triacontanol, mannitol, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagines, glutamine, praline, hydroxyproline, isoleucine, cysteine, L-leucine, glucose and rhamnose and this detect by TLC. The major constituents of this fruits are triterpenoids, flavanoids, glycosides, saccharides, carotenes, vitamins, β sitosterin, uronic acid, ß-sitosterol, n-triacontanol, Tannins and several amino acids^15-17. Phytochemicals which are present in Benincasa hispida leaves were detected by GC MS analysis method. From this GC MS study the major compounds present are phytol (23.94%), 1-alpha, 2-beta, 5-alpha, 2,6,6-trimethyl bicycle [3.1.1] heptane (21.80) erythro-9,10- dibromopentacosane (7.79%), hexanedioic acid, bis(2- ethylhexyl) ester (7.76%) (18). Each 100gm of fruit contain 13 calories, warer (96.1%) Protein: 0.4g; Fat: 0.2g; Carbohydrate: 3g; Fibre: 0.5g; Ash: 0.3g; Minerals - Calcium: 19mg; Phosphorus: 19mg; Iron: 0.4mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 6mg; Potassium: 111mg; Zinc: 0mg; Vitamins - A: 0mg; Thiamine (B1): 4mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0.11mg; Niacin: 0.4mg; B6: 0mg; C: 13mg6 (19).

Pharmacological activities:

Anthelmintic activity:

The ethanolic extract of Benincasa hispida seeds was studied for its anthelmintic activity using earthworms (Pheretima posthuma). The extract ought to be prepared by soxhlation method²⁰. Ethanol extract might get less time to supply disfunctioning of body and death of earthworms. The activity raised with concentrations. The ethanol extract has to be compelled to be prepared by Benincasa hispida at concentrations of 5, 10 and 20mg/ ml were ready with normal saline. Management cluster was tested by traditional saline. Six Earth worms which are about 3-5cm in length were placed in each petri dish at room temperature. The time taken to finish disfunctioning of body and death were recorded²¹. On the plant root this activity was in addition reported by victimization earthworms. By using methanolic, chloroform, and liquid extract this activity was studied²².

Anticonvulsant activity:

For the anticonvulsant activity the ethanolic extract of Benincasa hispida was used. This activity should be done on the seed of Benincasa hispida fruit²⁰. The anticonvulsant activity was done on the swiss albino mice. The ethanol extract of Benincasa hispida the dose level of extract at 250-500mg/kg produces sufficient effect for anticonvulsant activity. The methanolic extract also used for anticonvulsant activity. Also the mice model was used for it. This methanolic extract was evaluated by using chemo-convulsive agent. In another activity of anticonvulsant examination was done by the exposing the mice to maximal electro convulsive shock vis small alligator clips attached to each pinna¹².

Antioxidant activity:

This plant is referred to as its antioxidant activity. The most use of this plant fruit is inhibitor²³. The inhibitor capability of fruit of wax gourd extracts were measured by 3 completely different assays like scavenging activity, metallic element reducing activity and beta- arotene bleaching assays. The seed extract of Benincasa hispida shows the various inhibitor capability for scavenging activity, metallic element reducing activity and beta–carotene bleaching assays and conjointly shows highest total synthetic resin content as compared to skin and pulp extract of Benincasa hispida²⁴. The total synthetic resin content was determined by Folin-Ciocalteau methodology. The DPPH atom scavenging activity conjointly conducted. The β-carotene bleaching assay was resolve by the spectrophotometric method at 470 nm. This report was carried out to measure the % antioxidant activity of extracts of each part²⁵. Presence of phytochemicals like carbohydrates, proteins and amino acids, flavonoids, synthetic resin compounds may contribute to observed antioxidant activity. Benincasa hispida fruits are potential supply of natural inhibitor compounds to exchange artificial antioxidants²⁶. The liquid and methanolic extraction of Benincasa hispida presented relevant activity at dependent dose in comparison with the ascorbic acid. The high eliminative action of B. hispida liquid extract at 87% as (100 μg /ml) concentration which of alcoholic extract at 88% (100μg/ml) concentration^27,28.

Antihistaminic activity:

The antihistaminic activity was done on the Benincasa hispida flower. The aqueous extract and essential oil extract should be use for this activity. The experiment was done on guinea pig. Chlorpheniramine maleate was used as standard drug. Histamine is responsible for bronchoconstriction. Due to histamine release in mast cell and basophiles by antigenic stimulation causing smooth muscle contraction, which increased vascular permeability and mucus formation. It also responsible for bronchial hypersensitivity that is common feature of asthma. So, the present study shows that the utility of the aqueous extract ant essential oil of Benincasa hispida flower in antihistaminic activity²⁹.

Anticancer activity:

In the anticancer activity the study was to arrange biostable inorganic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by fresh peel (aqueous) extract of Benincasa hispida. A fast, robust, and eco-friendly approach was used for the synthesis of AgNPs, wherever bioactive elements of peel extract of B. hispida acted as reducing and stabilising agents³⁰. The biosynthesized AgNPs’ toxicity was evaluated on human cervical neoplastic cell line (HeLa) and traditional human primary osteoblasts cell line. The AgNPs were characterised by UV–Vis spectrometry, dynamic lightweight scattering (DLS), FTIR, and microscopy. We tend to report the potential of B. hispida-synthesized AgNPs for various therapeutic applications given its lesser side effects³¹

Antibacterial activity:

The antibacterial activity was reported on the Benincasa hispida fruit seed. This activity was done on seed oil. This antibacterial activity was done on gram positive bacteria that are M. luteus, S. aureus, B. subtilis³². The gram negative bacteria also used for this activity. That bacteria are E. coli, P. multocida and P. aeruginosa. The ciprofloxacin solution was used as standard drug. The seed of Benincasa hispida fruit have many pharmacological activities. Its main use for only medicinal purposes. Some kind of formulation also prepared for the various disease treatment. The methanolic extract was used for this activity. The methanolic extract of Benincasa hispida is caused significant zone of inhibition against Candida albicance³³.

Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic activity:

The carrageenan induced rat paw edema assay was administered out for anti-inflammatory activity. The methanolic extract was used for this study. The extract showed vital decrease in paw volume and pain at dose level of 300mg/kg in comparison with reference drug diclofenac and morphine³⁴. The MEBH showed dose dependant anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan induced rat paw edema from the primary until the third hour compared disease control group.

The analgesic activity shown by MEBH by tail immersion methodology. MEBH shows dose dependant analgesic activity against physical phenomenon of heat-induced physiological condition in mice. Medium and high doses showed same distinction within the analgesic activity in comparison with management cluster³⁵.

Diuretic activity:

The diuretic activity was done on the fruit of Benincasa hispida. All parts of this plant are used as medicinal³⁶. By using ethanolic extract this activity was carried out. The diuretic activity was done on various part of Benincasa hispida fruit³⁷. This activity is also done on the stem of Benincasa hispida. In this diuretic activity on seed the pet ether, aqueous and ethanolic extract was used. Standard drug use in this activity is cyston³⁸. Mostly the rat was used as experimental animal diuretic and natriuretic activities were done on the stem of Benincasa hispida by using normal saline with modules³⁹.

Antiasthmatic activity:

Antiasthmatic activity was done on methanolic extract of Benincasa hispida fruit. Two triterpenoids should be use for this activity. That are as namely multiflorenol and alonusenol which are extracted by using methanol. The guinea pig was used for this activity. These two triterpenes were having good potential activity for histamine release. The result suggests that the protective effect against bronchospasum induced by histamine aerosol may be mediated by antihistaminic activity⁴⁰.

Central nervous effect:

The anxiolytic result of alcoholic extract of Benincasa hispida was evaluated in mice using plus maze and light-weight dark transition test. The spontaneous motar activity measured by actophotometer⁴¹. The methanolic extract of Benincasa hispida shows vital anti-compulsive result in marble-burying behaviour test in mice the result which can be attributed to the sweetening of serotonergic function⁴².

The anticonvulsant properties of alcoholic extract were studied on outside ECT test, pentylenetetrazole and strychnine used as standard drug. The mice model was used for this activity. The methanolic extract of fruit was show antidepressant-like activity in mice in all probability by inhibiting MAO-A. The chronic treatment occurs with liquid extract of Benincasa hispida. The pulp was useful in the management of colchicines used as a standard drug. Rat model was use for Alzheimer’s disease⁴³.

Antiulcer activity:

The study through with omeprazole group. This activity was done on fruit of Benincasa hispida. It passes antiulcer activity. During this activity the study shows decrease in ulcer index in animal which contain terpenes, flavonoid, organic compound and sterols which have also antioxidant activity⁴⁴. Varied extract was used for the antiulcer activity. The fruit was evaluated in rats against ethanol induced internal organ damage, pylorus ligated gastric ulcer and cold restraint-stress induced gastric peptic ulcer model. Each extract produces significant reduction in ulcer index in all model⁴⁵.

Antidiabetic activity:

The activity was done on the rat by using Benincasa hispida fruit. This study shows the hypoglycemic activity that is useful for the diabetic prevention. The observe study shows that hypolipidemic effect of this plant extract in diabetic rat makes Benincasa hispida is important. Mostly the methanolic extract was used for the antidiabetic activity. The fruit pulp mainly used for this diabetic activity. It possess good antidiabetic activity. Standard drug was used in this activity that is streptozotocin which induced diabetic in rat model. The drug was given to rat before 15 days of activity⁴⁶.

CONCLUSION:

There is increasing demand for herbal medicinal plant all over the world because the fact the allopathic drugs are having more side effect and this is one of the herbal drug having numerous action to cure the different type of diseases. Phytochemical analysis of Benincasa hispida shows the presence of tannins, saponins, terpenoids, phenolic compounds and alkaloids in all the extracts. The medicinal properties of Benincasa hispida extracts may be due to the presence of above-mentioned phytochemicals.

On the basis of these investigation we concluded that Benincasa hispida shows anthelmintic, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, antihistaminic, anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, diuretic, antiasthamatic, CNS effect, antiulcer and antidiabetics activities in animal model.BHS is a much known plant in research literature due to its pharmacological activity.

REFERENCES:

1. Nimbal S.K, Venkatrao N, Ladde S and Pujar B. Anxiolytic evaluation of Benincasa hispida (Thumb) Cogn. fruit extracts. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science Research 2011; 1 (3) 93-97.

2. Zaini N.A.M, Anwar F, Abdul Hamid. A and Saari N. Kundur [Benincasa hispida (Thub.) Cogn.]: A potential source for valuable nutrients and functional foods. Food Res Int 2011; 44:2368-2376.

3. Joshi S. Benincasa hispida. In: Joshi S, editor. Medicinal Plants 2000 P.no - 152.

4. Blatter E, Caius J.F and Mhaskar K.S (eds.). Indian Medicinal Plants, 2nd vol, Bishen Singh Mahendra Palsingh 1975 pp 1126- 1128.

5. Sharma P.V. Medhyadi Varg. In The Dravya Gun-Vijnana Vegetable Drugs. Sharma PV (ed.) Chaukhambha Bharti Academy, Varanasi 2005 P. no-14.

6. Jayasree T, Kishore K, Vinay M, Vasavi P, Chandrasekhar N, Manohar VS and Dixit R. Evaluation of the Diuretic effect of the chloroform extract of the Benincasa hispida rind (Pericarp) Extract in Guinea-pigs. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research 2011;5(3): 578-582.

7. Iqbal Hussain, Riaz Ullah, Rooh Ullah, Muhammad Khurram, Naseem Ullah, Abdul Baseer et al, Phytochemical analysis of selected medicinal plants. African journal of Biotechnology. 2011; 10(38): 7487- 7492.

8. Ames B.M, Shigena M.K and Hagen T.M. Oxidants, antioxidant and the degenerative diseases of aging proceeding of the National Academy of sciences. 1993; 90: 7915-7922.

9. F. L. X.N Zhang, W Wang, D.M Xing, W.D Xie, H. Su and L.J. Du. Evidence of antiobesity effects of pomegranate leaf extract in high fat diet induced obese mice. International journal of obesity. 2007; 31:1023-1029.

10. Grover J.K, Adiga G, Vats V, Rathi S.S, Extracts of Benincasa hispida prevent development of experimental ulcers. J Ethnopharmacol. 2001; 78: 159-64.

11. Chandrababu S, Umamaheshwari S. Studies on the anti-inflammatory activity of fruit rind extract of Benincasa hispida Cogn. Indian Drugs. 2002; 39: 651-3.

12. Anilkumar D, Ramu P. Effect of methanolic extract of Benincasa hispida against histamine and acetyl choline induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs. Indian J Pharmacol. 2002; 34: 365-361.

13. Rashmi S.P, Yogendra P, Pranay W, Ankita W. Benincasa hispida-brihatphala A –review cited on 22January 2018.

14. Kuntal Ghosh, M. S. Baghel A Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical study of Benincasa hispida -Ayurvedic review, International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy, June 2011, 1664-1668.

15. Nadkarni A.K In: Indian Materia Medica. Popular Prakashan. Bombay, India. 1976;185-6.

16. Wollen weber E, Faure R and Gaydou E.M. A rare triterpene as major constitute of the “wax” on fruits of Benincasa hispida. Indian drugs. 1991;28(10):458-460.

17. Yashizumi S, Murakam T, Kadoya M, Matsuda H, Yamahara J and Yoshikava M. Histamine release inhibitors from the fruits of Benincasa hispida (thub). Yakugaku Zassi. 1998;118(5):188-192

18. Rajalakshmi. C, Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Phytochemical analysis of the leaves of Benincasa hispida, 2018, page no-2827-2828.

19. P. K. Saxsena et al, International journal of pharmaceutical and chemical science, Another look on Benincasa hispida, June 2016 Page no-150-156.

20. Zulfkar Latief Qadrie1, R. Anandan, Md. Mushtaque, K. Ashok Kumar, Humaira Ashraf, Anthelmintic and Anticonvulsant studies of ethanolic extract of Benincasa hispida seeds. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. The Oxford College of Pharmacy, Bangalore, India 2011, page no-1298-1302.

21. Ashok Rathan. Antimicrobials in laboratory medicine (B.I Churchill Livingstone Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi); 2000, 194-203.

22. Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, Subal Debnath, G. Ganesh Kumar, Santhosh Kumar C, T. Shivaraj GoudaIndo American Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, Anthelmintic activity of root of Benincasa hispida (Petha), 2011, 1-6.

23. Nadira B. S.T. Debnath, et al, Journal of biochemistry, Antioxidant activity of Benincasa seed,2011,1-6

24. Noriham Abdullah, Wan Saidatul Syida, Wan Kamarudin, Zainal Samicho, KhairusySyakirah Zulkifli and Nurain AzimanStudy on Antioxidant Capacity and Phenolic Content of Various Parts of Wax Gourd (Benincasa hispida),2012, 1052-1056.

25. Noriham Abdullah, Wan Saidatul Syida Wan Kamarudin, Zainal Samicho, Nurain Aziman and Khairusy, International Journal of PharmTech Research, Evaluation ofIn-Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Various Parts of Benincasa hispida, 2012,1367-1376.

26. Shrishti B, Amrita K, Atul K, et al American journal of pharmatech research, evalution of Benincasa hispida fruit extract,2013, 335-345.

27. Rana, S. and Suttee, A. (2012). Phytochemical investigation and evaluation of free radical scavenging potential of Benincasa hispida peel extracts. International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Review and Research (2012) 3(3):43-46.

28. Sarmad Abdul Razak Abood Alsaadi1 and Kasim Sakran Abass.Benincasa Hispida Is An Antioxidant Of Possible Physiological Importance: A Comparativ Review 2020, 2833-2838.

29. Kanakam Vijayabhaskar and Puram Paramesh.Evaluation of antihistaminic activity of Benincasa hispida flower aqueous extract for histamine aerosol induces bronchoconstriction in guinea pig. World journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, 2015, 751-760.

30. Wafaa E. Soliman, Salman Khan, Syed Mohd Danish Rizvi, Afrasim Moin, Heba S. Elsewedy, Amr S. Abulila and Tamer M. ShehataTherapeutic Applications of Biostable Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Peel Extract of Benincasa hispida: Antibacterial and Anticancer, 5 Sep 2020, 1-13.

31. Hamouda, R.A.; Hussein, M.H, Abo-elmagd R.A, Bawazir S.S, Synthesis and biological characterization of silver nanoparticles derived from the cyanobacterium Oscillatoria limnetica. Sci. Rep. 2019, 9, 13071.

32. Tahir L, Chand B and Rahman S. Antibacterial study on Benincasa hispida and Nigella sativa oil. J Pharm 2013, 4 (4): 121-122.

33. Natarajan D, Lavarasan RJ, Chandra babu S, Sahib MACS, Refai T and Thameemul –Ansari LH. Antimicrobial studies on methanolic extract of Benincasa hispida. Ancient science of life 2003; XXII: 98-100.

34. Ali Esmail Al-Snafi, The Pharmacological Importance of Benincasa hispida. A review, International Journal of Pharma Sciences and Research, Dec 2013,165-170.

35. N.K. Parida, M.R. Sahu, P.C. Dbata and P.K. Panda, Antinociceptive and Anti-inflammatory- Effects of Methanolic Extract of Benincasa hispida Fruit Peel in Rodents, (2010), 7573-7579.

36. M. Maghrani, N. Zeggwagh, M. Haloui, M. Eddouks. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2005, 99, 31-35.

37. Jayasree Tirumalasetty, Chandrasekhar. N and A. Naveen Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, Evaluation of diuretic activity of ethanol extract of Benincasa hispida stem in swiss albino rats, 2013,91-97.

38. Qadrie ZL, Tayebhawisan N, Alikhan MW, Samuel M and Anandan R. Antinociceptive and anti-pyretic activity of Benincasa hispida (Thunb) Cogn. in Wistar albino rats. Pak J Pharm Sci 2009; 22(3):287-290

39. Jayasree T, Kishore KK, Vinay M, Vasavi P, Dixit R, Rajanikanth M and Manohar VS. Diuretic effect of the chloroform extract of the Benincasa hispida rind (Pericarp) extract in Sprague – Dawley rats. International Journal of Applied Biology and Pharmaceutical Technology 2011; 2(2): 94-99.

40. Kumar A and Ramu P. Effect of methanolic extract of Benincasa hispida against histamine and acetylcholine induced bronchospasm in Guinea pigs. Indian Journal of Pharmacology 2002; 34: 365-366.

41. Nimbal SK, Venkatrao N, Ladde S and Pujar B. Anxiolytic evaluation of Benincasa hispida (Thunb) Cogn. fruit extracts. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science Research 2011; 1 (3) 93-97.

42. Girdhar S, Wanjari M, Prajapati SK and Girahar A. Evaluation of anti-compulsive effect of methanolic extract of Benincasa hispida Cogn. fruit in mice. Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica n Drug Research 2010; 67(4): 417-421.

43. Dhingra D and Joshi P. Antidepressant-like activity of Benincasa hispida fruits in mice: Possible involvement of monoaminergic and GABAergic systems. Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics 2016; 3(1): 60-61.

44. Dhiman K, Sharma P, Bajwa J, Sood S, Sharma PD, Singh B and Bali M. Evaluation of free radical scavenging and antiulcer potential of methanolic extract of Benincasa hispida seeds. Research Journal of Medicinal Plant2011; 5 (5): 596-604.

45. Manish A. Rachchh, Sunita M. Jain; Gastroprotective effect of Benincasa hispida fruit extract; Indian Journal Pharmacology;2008;40(6):271-275

46. Abhishek Mahatma, Abhijit Sonowal and M Santhosh Kumar, Evaluation of Antidiabetic Potential of Methanolic Extract ofBenincasa hispida In Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic RatsInternational Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Research, 2015; Vol. 6(8): 3334-3343.

Received on 24.08.2021 Modified on 18.12.2021

Res. J. Pharmacognosy and Phytochem. 2022; 14(2):119-123.

DOI: 10.52711/0975-4385.2022.00022