# Alabu

> Alabu (Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Cucurbitaceae family. Not listed in WHO monographs; recognized as traditional food-medicine in Indian, Chinese, and African traditional medicine systems.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.
- **Family:** Cucurbitaceae
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Not listed in WHO monographs; recognized as traditional food-medicine in Indian, Chinese, and African traditional medicine systems

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Alabu |
| Latin/Botanical | *Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- [Cucurbitacins](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#cucurbitacins) (cucurbitacin B, D, E)
- Flavone C-[glycosides](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#glycosides) and beta-glycosides
- [Triterpenoids](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#triterpenoids) and [sterols](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sterols)
- [Pectin](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#pectin) and dietary soluble fibers
- Beta-carotene and ascorbic acid
- [Saponins](/reference/saponins/)

## How does it work?

- [Cardioprotective](/reference/cardioprotective/) activity through reduction of serum lipids and modulation of cardiac enzyme markers
- [Hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/) mechanism via [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) enzyme restoration and reduction of lipid peroxidation
- Anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of COX and LOX pathways by [flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/)
- Hypoglycemic effect via alpha-glucosidase inhibition and enhanced insulin sensitivity

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Cardiotonic and heart-protective (Hridya) - validated through preclinical studies showing cholesterol and triglyceride reduction
- Cooling and [diuretic](/reference/diuretic/) (Sheetala, Mutrala) - confirmed diuretic properties in pharmacological studies
- Hepatoprotective (Yakrit-shodhana) - validated against drug-induced liver toxicity in animal models
- Anti-obesity and weight management - confirmed antihyperlipidemic and anti-obesity effects in multiple studies

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Roopan SM, Devi Rajeswari V, Kalpana VN and others 2016. [Biotechnology and pharmacological evaluation of Indian vegetable crop Lagenaria siceraria: an overview](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26637422/). *Applied microbiology and biotechnology*. PMID [26637422](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26637422/) · [doi:10.1007/s00253-015-7190-0](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-015-7190-0)  
  Confirmed antihyperlipidemic and cardioprotective effects through reduction of serum cholesterol and triglycerides in animal models.

*2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- Bitter variety of bottle gourd (containing high cucurbitacin levels) is toxic and has caused fatalities; only the non-bitter edible variety should be used medicinally
- Fresh juice consumption in excess can cause gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, and vomiting; moderate consumption is generally safe
- Bitter bottle gourd juice has been linked to cases of hematemesis and shock; taste-testing before consumption is strongly advised

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Swarasa (fresh juice), Churna (dried powder), Capsule, Pinda (bolus for Pinda Sweda), Lehyam (confection)

**Standard Dosage:** 20-50ml fresh juice twice daily; 3-6g dried powder; as dietary vegetable (ad libitum)

**Bioavailability:** Good bioavailability for water-soluble nutrients (cucurbitins, [vitamins](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#vitamins), minerals). Fresh juice retains maximum bioactivity. Cucurbitacins (bitter principles, present in bitter variety) are lipophilic with good oral absorption but GI irritant potential. The sweet variety (Lagenaria siceraria) is commonly used; bitter variety (tumbi) used with caution.

**Optimal Timing:** Fresh juice early morning on empty stomach for cardiovascular and metabolic benefits. Avoid at night (diuretic effect).

**Standardized Extract:** Sweet variety juice standardized to cucurbitacin content below 0.01% (safety threshold). Mineral content documentation (K, Ca, Mg, Zn). Freeze-dried powder at 10:1 concentration.

**Shelf Life:** 1 day (fresh juice, refrigerated); 12 months (freeze-dried powder); 2 years (capsules)

**Storage:** Fresh juice must be consumed within hours; refrigerate if necessary (2-8°C). Dried powder in airtight containers, cool and dry place.

**Marker Compounds:** Cucurbitacin B (below safety limit), Cucurbitacin D (below safety limit), Beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol), Saponins, Vitamin C, [Potassium](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#potassium) content

### Extraction Methods

- Fresh juice extraction (cold-press or blending)
- Aqueous decoction of dried fruit
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50:50) for cucurbitacin standardization
- Freeze-drying of fresh juice for powder

### Synergistic Combinations

- With [Arjuna](/herb/arjuna/) for cardioprotective action
- With [Punarnava](/herb/punarnava/) for diuretic effect and edema
- With [Guduchi](/herb/guduchi/) for hepatoprotective support
- With [Gokshura](/herb/gokshura/) for urinary tract health

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/alabu/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.