Medicinal plants have been used for many centuries and numerous cultures still depends
on plants for their primary health care needs. Benincasa hispida belonging to the family
Cucurbitaceae also called as ash gourd, wax gourd, white guard, winter gourd, winter melon, gourd
melon, white pumpkin. It is a widely grown trailing or climbing plant that is grown as a vegetable
in India’s plains and on hillsides as high as upto 1,200 meters Comprehensive research
demonstrates that Benincasa hispida contains flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, steroids, saponins,
tannins, phenols and carbohydrates. Researchers evaluated different parts of Benincasa hispida for
Anti-ulcer, anti-convulsant, anti-oxidant, antipyretic, antidiarrheal, cardioprotective, anti-
inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, antimicrobial, diuretic, antiobesity, antihyperlipidemic,
antiosteoporosis, antiaging, antistress and memory enhancing property. This work presents an
updated overview of the literature to shed light on the state of research on Benincasa hispida which
demonstrating its phytoconstituents, ethnomedicinal uses and outlining their most significant
pharmacological activities.
Keywords: Benincasa hispida, Ash gourd, Winter melon, Cucurbitaceae, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological
activity
Publication date: 01/08/2025
https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2025/August/MS_IJBPAS_2025_9286.pdf
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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2025/14.8.9286
