Benincasa hispida, Thumb. dong gua 冬瓜

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Benincasa hispida, Thumb. dong gua 冬瓜

What are the potential health benefits of dong gua (Benincasa hispida)?

Dong gua (Benincasa hispida) may have many health benefits. Benincasa hispida (wax
gourd) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat hypertension and
inflammation. [4] In Ayurved, Benincasa hispida (B. hispida) is recommended as an anti-
ulcer agent. [5] In Korea, dong gua is used to treat diabetic complications. [2,3]

Researchers from Taiwan found seeds have a higher capacity on anti-oxidation and
inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity than the fresh. It may be
due to its high phenolic contents and superoxide dismutase activity. Thus, they
believe, seed extracts of dong gua may offer a good health benefits on lowering risk of
cardiovascular diseases and cancers. [4]

Indian researchers induced ulcers in rats with indomethacin. They found that there
was an apparent decrease in ulcer index in animals treated with fruit extract of
Benincasa hispida (Ashgourd). Benincasa hispida has been shown to contain certain
active principles like terpenes, flavanoid C--glycosides and sterols which have
antioxidant effects. [1] Researchers from All India Institute of Medical Sciences found
the anti-ulcerogenic effect of the fresh juice of Benincasa hispida was dose-dependent
in stress-induced model of ulcer and not in other types of models. They explained fresh
juice of Benincasa hispida may have a CNS component in prevention of stress induced
ulceration. However, antihistaminic, anti-cholinergic effects and prevention of
disturbance in gastric micro-circulation as possible modes of action cannot be ruled out.
[5]

Benincasa hispida has been used mainly diabetes and diuresis diseases in Korea. [3]
Korean researchers showed the anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous extract of
Benincasa hispida Cogniaux. In a cell study, the aqueous extract reduced high glucose-
induced CAMs activation by inhibiting monocyte adhesion, ROS, and NF-kappaB in
human umbilical vein endothelial cells. [2]

Researchers from Kolon Central Research Park, Korea showed its seed extract may
benefit people at risk of cancer. In a test-tube study, researchers found the seed
extract of Benincasa hispida Cogniaux decreased basic fibroblast growth factor -
induced endothelial cell proliferation and tube formation in a dose-dependent manner.
Basic fibroblast growth factor is a potent angiogenic factor found in various tumors. [3]

Reference:

[1] Shetty BV, Arjuman A, Jorapur A, Samanth R, Yadav SK, Valliammai N, Tharian AD,
Sudha K, Rao GM. Kasturba Medical College, Effect of extract of Benincasa hispida on
oxidative stress in rats with indomethacin induced gastric ulcers. Indian J Physiol
Pharmacol. 2008 Apr-Jun;52(2):178-82. [2] Moon MK, Kang DG, Lee YJ, Kim JS, Lee HS.
Wonkwang University, Korea. Effect of Benincasa hispida Cogniaux on high glucose-
induced vascular inflammation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Vascul
Pharmacol. 2008 Nov 27. [3] Lee KH, Choi HR, Kim CH. Kolon Central Research Park,
Korea. Anti-angiogenic effect of the seed extract of Benincasa hispida Cogniaux. J
Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Mar 21;97(3):509-13. [4] Huang HY, Huang JJ, Tso TK, Tsai YC,
Chang CK. Shih-Chien University, Taiwan Antioxidant and angiotension-converting
enzyme inhibition capacities of various parts of Benincasa hispida (wax gourd).
Nahrung. 2004 Jun;48(3):230-3. [5] Grover JK, Adiga G, Vats V, Rathi SS.
jkgrover@hotmail.com Extracts of Benincasa hispida prevent development of
experimental ulcers.J Ethnopharmacol. 2001 Dec;78(2-3):159-64.

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