Trapusha
Cucumis sativus
Trapusha (Cucumis sativus) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Flavonoids (vitexin, orientin) show low to moderate bioavailability (10-20%). The high water content (>95%) of fresh fruit facilitates rapid dissolution and absorption of water-soluble constituents.
| Botanical name | Cucumis sativus |
|---|---|
| Family | Cucurbitaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Cucurbitales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2874569 · Wikidata Q23425 · NCBI Taxonomy 3659 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Trapusha |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Madhura | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Guru, Snigdha | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Madhura | Post-digestive effect |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Svarasa (fresh juice), Churna (seed powder), Capsule, Tablet, Beeja Churna (seed powder)
Standard Dosage: 50-100 mL fresh cucumber juice twice daily; 3-6 g seed powder twice daily
Bioavailability: Cucurbitacins (B, D, E) have moderate oral bioavailability (~20-30%) but very narrow therapeutic index; precise dosing is critical. Flavonoids (vitexin, orientin) show low to moderate bioavailability (10-20%). The high water content (>95%) of fresh fruit facilitates rapid dissolution and absorption of water-soluble constituents. Seed oil fatty acids (linoleic, oleic) are well absorbed.
Optimal Timing: Morning on empty stomach for diuretic effect; between meals for cooling action; seed powder after meals
Standardized Extract: Seed extract standardized to >25% fatty acids (linoleic + oleic by GC); cucurbitacin B <0.01% (safety limit); total flavonoids >1% (as vitexin equivalent)
Shelf Life: Fresh juice: 24-48 hours refrigerated (72 hours with HPP); Seed powder: 9-12 months (defatted: 18 months); Softgels: 24 months
Storage: Fresh juice refrigerated at 2-8 deg C. Seed powder in airtight containers at 15-25 deg C with desiccant. Defatted powder at room temperature. Seed oil under nitrogen in dark glass at 2-8 deg C.
Marker Compounds: Cucurbitacin B, Cucurbitacin E, Vitexin, Orientin, Linoleic acid, Oleic acid, beta-Sitosterol, Tocopherols
Extraction Methods
- Cold pressing for seed oil
- Fresh juice expression
- Hydroethanolic extraction (50-60% ethanol) for cucurbitacin-rich fraction
- Aqueous extraction
- Supercritical CO2 for seed oil
Synergistic Combinations
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