Alabu
Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.
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.
| Botanical name | Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. |
|---|---|
| Family | Cucurbitaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Cucurbitales |
| Pharmacopoeia status | Not listed in WHO monographs; recognized as traditional food-medicine in Indian, Chinese, and African traditional medicine systems |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2874672 · Wikidata Q1277255 · NCBI Taxonomy 3668 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Alabu |
| Latin/Botanical | Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Cucurbitacins (cucurbitacin B, D, E)
- Flavone C-glycosides and beta-glycosides
- Triterpenoids and sterols
- Pectin and dietary soluble fibers
- Beta-carotene and ascorbic acid
- Saponins
How does it work?
- Cardioprotective activity through reduction of serum lipids and modulation of cardiac enzyme markers
- Hepatoprotective mechanism via antioxidant enzyme restoration and reduction of lipid peroxidation
- Anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of COX and LOX pathways by 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 (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. Applied microbiology and biotechnology. PMID 26637422 · doi: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, 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, Saponins, Vitamin C, 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
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Other clinical studies and reviews3
- 2022. Lagenaria siceraria fruit: A review of its phytochemistry, pharmacology, and promising traditional usesFrontiers in nutrition. PMID 36185670 · doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.927361
- 2021. A Comprehensive Review on the Medicinal Importance; Biological and Therapeutic Efficacy of Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) (Bottle Gourd) Standley FruitCurrent topics in medicinal chemistry. PMID 34218789 · doi:10.2174/1568026621666210701124628
- 2016. Biotechnology and pharmacological evaluation of Indian vegetable crop Lagenaria siceraria: an overviewApplied microbiology and biotechnology. PMID 26637422 · doi:10.1007/s00253-015-7190-0
Laboratory and animal studies9
- 2025. Cucurbitacin B alleviates DSS-induced experimental colitis by targeting ZNF70 to suppress the NLRP3/STAT3 signaling axisInflammopharmacology. PMID 40796990 · doi:10.1007/s10787-025-01898-5
- 2025. Protective effect of Spirulina and Lagenaria siceraria on betamethasone adverse effects in ratsOpen veterinary journal. PMID 41630747 · doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i11.17
- 2024. Safety and antidiabetic activity of Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. juice in streptozotocin -induced diabetic ratsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 37673199 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2023.117111
- 2024. Phytochemical composition of Lagenaria siceraria fruits from KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo, South AfricaFood chemistry: X. PMID 38623516 · doi:10.1016/j.fochx.2024.101338
- 2024. Extraction and immunomodulatory effects of acid Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. Polysaccharide on chickensPoultry science. PMID 39146923 · doi:10.1016/j.psj.2024.104113
- 2023. In vivo antimalarial activity of the 80% methanolic crude fruit extract of Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. against Plasmodium berghei infected miceHeliyon. PMID 37151678 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15453
- 2022. Preparation and sulfate modified of Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl polysaccharide and its immune-enhancing adjuvant activityPoultry science. PMID 36067576 · doi:10.1016/j.psj.2022.102112
- 2022. Extraction and Characterization of Microcrystalline Cellulose from Lagenaria siceraria Fruit PediclesPolymers. PMID 35567035 · doi:10.3390/polym14091867
- 2021. Lagenaria siceraria and it's bioactive constituents in carbonic anhydrase inhibition: A bioactivity guided LC-MS/MS approachPhytochemical analysis : PCA. PMID 32683785 · doi:10.1002/pca.2975
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