Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Benincasae Exocarpium: A review

Meng Zhang; Jialong Lei; Yansheng Wang; Jingze Zhang; Dailin Liu

Authors

Meng Zhang aTianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China
Jialong Lei aTianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China
Yansheng Wang aTianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China
Jingze Zhang aTianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China
Dailin Liu aTianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China

Keywords:

Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn., Benincasae Exocarpium, medicine and food homology, modern pharmacology, functional constituents

Abstract

Benincasae Exocarpium (BE, Dongguapi in Chinese), as the dried outer pericarp of Benincasa hispida (wax gourd) in Cucurbitaceae family, is one of traditional Chinese medicines with the same origin as medicine and food. Up to now, 43 compounds were isolated from BE, including flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, phenolic acids, soluble fiber and carbohydrates. Modern pharmacological studies and clinical practice showed that BE has diuretic, hypolipidemic effects, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antibacterial, and other effects. The folk uses, functional factors, pharmacological activities, patents and clinical applications of BE were reviewed in this paper. In addition, the paper also discussed the current problems for the further studies. The information summarized in this paper provides valuable clues for the comprehensive utilization of medicine and food resources and gives a scientific basis for the development of medicinal plants of BE. Keywords: Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn., Benincasae Exocarpium, medicine and food homology, modern pharmacology, functional constituents