# Patola

> Patola is a substance used in the Ayurvedic materia medica. Cucurbitacins are lipophilic and absorbed well from the GI tract but undergo extensive hepatic metabolism. Fiber and mucilage content may slow absorption of co-administered drugs.

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Patola |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Tikta | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Laghu, Ruksha | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |

## What is it made of?

### Mineral/Elemental Profile

- **Primary component:** Mineral-derived preparation
- **Note:** Composition varies by specific preparation method

**Analytical Methods:** XRD, ICP-OES, SEM-EDS

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Swarasa (fresh juice), Kwatha (decoction), Churna (powder), Capsule, Tablet, Cooked vegetable preparation

**Standard Dosage:** 10-20 mL fresh juice daily; 3-5 g dried fruit/leaf powder daily; 15-30 mL decoction twice daily; 500 mg extract twice daily

**Bioavailability:** [Momordicin](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#momordicin) and [charantin](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#charantin) analogs from Trichosanthes dioica (Patola/pointed gourd) show moderate oral bioavailability (20-35%). [Cucurbitacins](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#cucurbitacins) are lipophilic and absorbed well from the GI tract but undergo extensive hepatic metabolism. Fiber and [mucilage](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#mucilage) content may slow absorption of co-administered drugs. [Saponins](/reference/saponins/) are partially hydrolyzed by gut bacteria to sapogenins with improved absorption.

**Optimal Timing:** Fresh juice or decoction: morning on empty stomach for blood purification and liver health. As food: cooked preparation with meals. Extract supplements: after meals.

**Standardized Extract:** Patola fruit extract (10:1) standardized to total saponins >5%, cucurbitacins >0.5%. Leaf extract standardized to total phenolics >6% GAE.

**Shelf Life:** Fresh fruit: 3-5 days refrigerated; Dried powder: 12-18 months; Extract: 24 months; Capsules: 24 months

**Storage:** Fresh fruit: 5-10 deg C, ventilated storage. Dried powder: airtight containers, below 25 deg C, RH <55%. Extracts: amber containers, cool and dry.

**Marker Compounds:** Cucurbitacin B, Cucurbitacin E, Momordicin, Beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol), [Stigmasterol](/reference/stigmasterol/), [Lupeol](/reference/lupeol/), Ursolic acid, Gallic acid

### Extraction Methods

- Fresh juice extraction
- Aqueous decoction of fruit/leaves
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50-60% ethanol)
- Methanol extraction for cucurbitacin profiling
- Ethyl acetate fractionation for sapogenin enrichment

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Nimba](/herb/nimba/) (Tikta Rasa combination for blood purification)
- [Guduchi](/herb/guduchi/) ([hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/) and anti-diabetic synergy)
- [Haridra](/herb/haridra/) (anti-inflammatory and skin health)
- Kutaki (cholagogue and liver protective)
- [Karela](/herb/karela/)/[Bitter gourd](/herb/bitter-gourd/) (anti-diabetic combination)

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

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- 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.