Sri Lanka Journal of Indigenous Medicine (SLJIM)

Cover story : Kowakka

Coccinia grandis Linn.

Family: CUCURBITACEAE

Vernacular names: Sinhala: Kowakka; Sanskrit: Bimbika; English: Ivy Gourd, Scarlet – fruited Gourd, Scarlet gourd, Tindora, Kowai fruit; Tamil: Kovval, Kovai; Hindi: Kundru, Tendli

The plant shown on the cover page is Coccinia grandis Linn. It is a fast-growing climbing and ground-keeping perennial vine with a tuberous root stock, with annual stems up to several meters long. Leaves are arranged alternately along the stems, broadly ovate with a basal sinus. The leaf’s upper surface is hairless; the lower surface is hairy. The tendrils are long, elastic with coil-like spring character that can wrap around the host to the entire length1. The flowers are largely white and star-shaped. Staminate flowers are solitary, rarely in axillary clusters of 2-3, with pedicels 15 to 50 millimeters long. Fruit changes green to red color when ripen and it is ovoid to elliptical, glabrous, and hairless on stalks. Seeds are tan-colored with thickened margins.

Its native range extends from Africa to Asia including India, Philippines, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. Invasive in Hawaii and the Marina Island. In Sri Lankan traditional Medicine, C. grandis preparation is used for the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus, Urinary tract infections, Bronchitis, ulcers, and itchy skin eruptions. The plant is used as a laxative.

The studies showed that ivy gourd is a good source of proteins, minerals, vitamins, and other phytochemicals such as Polyphenols, Flavonoids, Saponin, Glycoside, Bamyrine, Lupeol, Cucurbitacin, Cephalandrol, Cephalandrine and Sterol2 contents and medicinal effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antibacterial, Hepatoprotective, anti-ulcer, antihyperlipidemic, antipyretic, anti-cancer and analgesic potential.

 

Cover story by Dr. E.D.T.P. Gunarathna , Photographed by Mr. G.S.K. Perera ,
Cover page designed by Mr. K.K.P.R.K. Kohombakanda    

 

References
1. Hossain A.S.K., Uddin, S.N., Salim, M.D.A., Haque, R.(2014)., Phytochemical and Pharmacological screening of Coccinia grandis Linn, Journal of Scientific and Innovative Research, 3(1). p. 65-71.   2. Tamilselvan P.I.N., Thirumalai, T., Elumalai E.K., Balaji, R,David, E. (2011), Pharmacognosy of Coccinia grandis: A Review, Asian Pacific of Tropical Biomedicine, 1(2): p. 299-302.   3. Ramachandran, A., Prasath R., Anand A. (2014). The medicinal uses of Coccinia grandis L. Voigt: A Review, International Journal of Pharmacognosy, 1(11): p. 681-690.