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 and charantin analogs from Trichosanthes dioica (Patola/pointed gourd) show moderate oral bioavailability (20-35%). 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. 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, Stigmasterol, 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 (Tikta Rasa combination for blood purification)
- Guduchi (hepatoprotective and anti-diabetic synergy)
- Haridra (anti-inflammatory and skin health)
- Kutaki (cholagogue and liver protective)
- Karela/Bitter gourd (anti-diabetic combination)
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 reviews1
- 2025. Exploring Trichosanthes dioica: A Comprehensive Study of Its Ethnomedical Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and ToxicityChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 40845282 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.202501188
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