The Data Base of Ethno-medicines in the world (ETHMEDmmm)

Crude drug sample data base

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Crude drug name	Market name	Tumba
	Formal name	Visala
	Other names　　　 Tips！	Indrayanphal (T), Rakshalsha, Makhal (B), Indrayan, Makhal (H), Havamekkekayi (K), Peykommutti, Kattuvellari (M), Bisala, Etipuccha (Te), Peykomatti (Ta), Indrabahini, Indreni (N)
	English name	Colocynth Fruit, Bitter Apple
Original plant name		Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad., Colocynth Fruit, Bitter Apple
Family name		Cucurbitaceae
Used part	Classification	Plant origin
Used part	Sub classification	fruit
Collection information		India, New Delhi, Hans Raj & Sons
Collection date		1991/05/07
Collector		Tsuneo Namba, et al.
TMPW No.		12274

The capital city, provincial capital city or the representative　　
location of its administrative area is indicated.　　

Production area information

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28.6139391

77.20902120000005

Collection information

India,New Delhi

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Scientific information data base

Crude drug name

Ayurvedic name or
Sanskrit name, English name

Visala (Fruit), Colocynth Fruit, Bitter Apple

crude drug image

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Original plant name

Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.

Family name

Cucurbitaceae

Used part

Fruit pulp, Roots

Distribution area

Wild and cultivated throughout India.

Remarks

Commonly cultivated

Common uses

This drug is useful in biliuousness, ascites, cerebral congestion, constipation, worm infestation, dropsy and fever. Externally it is used for curing inflammation of breast and sciatica. Oil from the seeds is used for poisonous bites, bowel complaints and epilepsy. The dried pulp of mature fruits, freed from the rind and seeds constitutes the drug Colocynth. It is used for varicose veins and piles. It is used as a gargle for mouthwash, a counter irritant in chest cold. Steam bath of fruit pulp is useful for curing partial paralysis and spasms. It is diuretic, expectorant and is also used in remedies for cancer, gangrene and wounds. A compound preparation of Colocynth “Livol”, is a remedy for hepatic disorders.

Chemical constituent

Others
Fruit has alpha-elaterin 2-D-glucopyranoside, cucurbitacin-B and Its glucosides (0.22%). The mesocarp contains glucose (1.3% on fresh basis) and traces of alpha-spinasterol. The processed mesocarp Is a good source of pectin. The petroleum ether extract of peels of the fruit contains a mixture of 22 hydrocarbons.

Pharmacological effect

The glycoside did not have cathartic activity when administered intra-peritonially although orally it produces drastic purgation. It exhibits uterine depressant activity and decreases the rate and amplitude of contraction and shows anti-histaminic and anti-acetylcholine activity. The glycoside also shows cardiac depressant activity. The fruit has been reported to possess anti-tumour activity.

Medical system

Ayurveda (Traditional Indian medicine)

References

Reference book　

Tips！

[2] Indian Medicinal Plants - A Compendium of 500 species, Varier, P.S., Orient Longman Ltd. Chennai (Madras)
Vol. 2 (Repr.1997), p 91.

Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, 1956. Chopra, R.N., Nayar, S.L. and Chopra, I.C., Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi. - New Edition (1996) National Institute Science Communication; Supplement
p 67.

Illustrated Manual of Herbal Drugs Used in Ayurveda, 1996. Sarin, Y.K., Council of Scientific & Industrial Research and Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi
p 238.

Ayurvedic Drugs and Their Plant Sources, 1994. Sivarajan, V.V. and Balachandran, I., Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi
p 180.

Remarks

Fruits of Cucumis callosus (Rottl.) Cogn. (= C. trigonus Roxb.), C. pseudocolocynthis, C. sativus L., C. prophetarum L. and Trichosanthes palmata are often used as adulterants in the market samples of colocynth.

Last renewal date

2023/12/27

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