ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To explore pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity under different extraction conditions in order to track the most potent extract.@*METHODS@#The methanolic extract and its fractions in solvents of increasing polarity, ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water, were made through cold maceration. Extracts in ethanol, ethyl acetate, acetone and chloroform were similarly prepared. Aqueous extract was prepared through hot decoction method. A reported method was used to determine lipase inhibitory activity of extracts and fractions over wide ranges of concentrations.@*RESULTS@#The extracts and fractions exhibited concentration dependent activity. The IC (μg/mL) values of methanolic, ethanolic, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, ethyl acetate (after washing with water) and aqueous decoction were 293.40, 266.47, 157.59, 182.12, 352.34, 257.00, and 190.00, respectively. The activity of chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts were close to that of the drug orlistat (IC 146 μg/mL). Out of the fractions of the methanolic extract, the chloroform fraction was most active (IC 189.6 μg/mL). The order of inhibitory activity of the fractions was as follows: chloroform＞ether＞n-butanolic＞aqueous＞ethyl acetate. The GC/MS analysis of the most active chloroform faction showed the presence of hexadecanoic acid, methyl hexadecanoate, isopropyl palmitate, methyl 9,12-octadecadienate, and methyl 9,12,15-octadecatrienoate.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The study suggests that Lagenaria siceraria has potential to inhibit pancreatic lipase activity, suppressing lipid digestion and thereby diminishing entry of lipids into the body. Regular intake of aqueous decoction of the fruit may therefore be recommended for control of obesity. Fatty acids and their esters may play role as inhibitors of lipase.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity under different extraction conditions in order to track the most potent extract. Methods The methanolic extract and its fractions in solvents of increasing polarity, ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water, were made through cold maceration. Extracts in ethanol, ethyl acetate, acetone and chloroform were similarly prepared. Aqueous extract was prepared through hot decoction method. A reported method was used to determine lipase inhibitory activity of extracts and fractions over wide ranges of concentrations. Results The extracts and fractions exhibited concentration dependent activity. The IC
ABSTRACT
@#BACKGROUND: Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) is popularly known as lauki, ghia or dudhi in India. Its consumption is advocated by traditional medicine healers for controlling diabetes mellitus, hypertension, liver diseases, weight loss and other diseases. However, in last few years there have been reports of suspected toxicity due to consumption of its juice leading to severe vomiting and upper gastrointestinal bleeding. As emergency physicians we need to be aware of this very rare poisoning specially in India. METHODS: We present a case of a 52-year-old woman who presented with multiple episodes of hematemesis and shock to the emergency department (ED) after consuming bottle gourd juice. The patient was resuscitated and stabilized with fluids, proton pump inhibitors and antiemetics and shifted to the intensive care unit (ICU) under the care of a gastroenterology team for urgent endoscopy and further management. RESULTS: The patient received intravenous fluids, antibiotics, antiemetics, and antacids and underwent upper gastroenterologic endoscopy during the hospitalization. She was discharged in a stable condition 4 days later. CONCLUSIONS: As a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, bottle gourd contains toxic tetracyclic triterpenoid compounds called cucurbitacins which are responsible for the bitter taste and toxicity. There is no known antidote for this toxicity, and clinicians treat such patients symptomatically only. It is important to educate the public about the harmful effects of this potentially life-threatening toxicity.
ABSTRACT
O fruto do porongueiro se destina à fabricação de cuias, utensílios e artesanatos. Em regiões produtoras comerciais de porongo, grande quantidade de frutos e, por conseguinte, de sementes são descartadas durante o processo de produção agrícola e industrialização. Nesse sentido, este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a composição centesimal e o perfil dos ácidos graxos presentes nas sementes de porongo com vistas ao seu uso como matéria prima e alimento. Amostras de sementes de plantas de porongo, semeadas em diferentes épocas de semeadura, foram coletadas em um experimento no município de Rondinha - RS, no ano de 2008. Após secagem das sementes, fez-se a separação e determinação da proporção entre cascas e amêndoas. As amêndoas foram submetidas à avaliação do teor de lipídios, cinzas, proteína bruta, fibra bruta e carboidratos. A composição dos ácidos graxos presentes nos lipídios foi determinada por cromatografia gasosa. As sementes apresentaram elevado teor de carboidratos (33,0%), lipídios (37,6%) e proteína (25,2%), sendo que os teores desses componentes não foram afetados pelas épocas de semeadura das plantas. Entretanto, nas plantas semeadas na época mais tardia do ano (terceira época-21/10), elas apresentaram ciclo mais curto (tempo entre semeadura e senescência das plantas, de 149 dias) e frutos cujas amêndoas das sementes apresentaram maior proporção relativa de ácidos graxos insaturados (79,5%). Os ácidos graxos predominantes em ordem decrescente foram ácido linoleico (C18:2, ômega-6), ácido palmítico (C16:0), ácido oleico (C18:1, ômega 9) e ácido esteárico (C18:0). Os resultados da composição centesimal e do perfil dos ácidos graxos sugerem que as sementes de porongo apresentam um potencial alimentício que necessita ser melhor estudado, com vistas à sua exploração.
The fruit of bottlegourd are used for the manufacture of gourd, utensils and handicrafts. Seeds and fruits of bottlegourd are discarded during the manufacturing in producing regions. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the composition and profile of fatty acids in the seeds of bottle gourd with a view to using the seeds as raw material and food. Seeds of bottle gourd, whose plants were seeded in different growing seasons, were collected in an experiment in the city of Rondinha - RS, in 2008. After drying, it was separated and the ratio of peel and seed kernels. The almonds were subjected to assessment of lipid content, ash, crude protein, crude fiber and carbohydrates. The fatty acid composition of lipids present in the almonds was determined by gas chromatography. The seeds had high carbohydrate content (33.0%), lipids (37.6%) and protein (25.2%), but were not affected by seeding date. However, plants seeded later (on October 27th ) had shorter cycle (time between seeding and senescence of plants, 149 days) and almond had a higher relative proportion of fatty unsaturated acids (79.5%). The predominant fatty acids in decreasing order were linoleic acid (C18: 2, omega-6), palmitic acid (C16: 0), oleic (C18: 1, omega-9) and stearic acid (C18: 0). The results of centesimal composition and profile of fatty acids suggest a nutritional potential that needs to be better studied with a view to exploiting the bottle gourd seeds.
ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: The bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) is popularly known as lauki, ghia or dudhi in India. Its consumption is advocated by traditional healers for controlling diabetes mellitus, hypertension, liver diseases, weight loss and other associated benefits. However, in last few years there have been reports of suspected toxicity due to consumption of its juice. This led to the constitution of an Expert Committee by Department of Health Research at Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India in October 2010. The committee looked into the issues related to safety of consumption of bottle gourd juice, and this paper presents the findings. Methods: Information on cases of suspected toxicity due to consumption of bottle gourd juice was collected by internet search, advertising on website of ICMR and by writing to State and district health authorities as well as to medical colleges, hospitals and private nursing homes across the country. Results: Three deaths were reported, one from Delhi and two from Uttar Pradesh after consumption of extremely bitter bottle gourd juice. Three persons who died after consumption of freshly prepared bottle gourd juice or juice mixed with bitter gourd (karela) juice were over 59 years of age and had diabetes since last 20 years. This juice was reported to be extremely bitter by all three. Twenty six persons were admitted to various hospitals of the country on complaint of abdominal pain and vomiting following consumption of freshly prepared bottle gourd juice. Diarrhoea and vomiting of blood (haematemesis) was reported in 18 (69.2%) and 19 (73.1%) patients, respectively. Biochemical investigations revealed elevated levels of liver enzymes. More than 50 per cent patients had hypotension. Endoscopic findings showed profusely bleeding stomach with excessive ulceration seen in distal oesophagus, stomach and duodenum in most of the cases. All these patients recovered fully and no sequeale was recorded for any of the cases. Interpretation & conclusions: Cucurbitaceae family, of which bottle gourd is a member contains the toxic tetracyclic triterpenoid compounds called cucurbitacins which are responsible for the bitter taste. There is no known antidote for this toxicity and clinicians treat such cases symptomatically only. The Committee made the following recommendations: (i) The community needs to be educated that bitter tasting bottle gourd juice should not be consumed and in case there is any discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or any feeling of uneasiness after consumption of juice, the person should immediately be taken to a nearby hospital. (ii) Clinicians are suggested that patients coming with symptoms (discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, gastrointestinal bleeding after consumption of juice) should immediately be attended to and general supportive care should be provided, i.e. IV fluids/crystalloids/blood products/ fresh frozen plasma to maintain the haemodynamics and electrolyte balance; Ryle’s tube to be put in for gastric lavage and to assess gastrointestinal (GI) bleed- aspirate to be preserved; Proton pump inhibitors should be given for management of GI bleed and appropriate treatment for other complications should be given. (iii) The possible research areas identified are chemical composition studies on bitter and normal bottle gourd and other members of cucurbitaceae family; animal toxicity studies and studies on interaction between bottle gourd juice and other drugs.
Subject(s)
Cucurbitaceae/adverse effects , Cucurbitaceae/chemistry , Female , Foodborne Diseases/epidemiology , Foodborne Diseases/mortality , Foodborne Diseases/pathology , Gastrointestinal Tract/drug effects , Gastrointestinal Tract/pathology , Hemorrhage , Humans , India , Liver/drug effects , Liver/enzymology , Liver/pathology , Male , Medicine, Traditional/adverse effects , Middle Aged , Plant Extracts/adverse effects , Plant Extracts/chemistryABSTRACT
Traditional medicine is widely practiced in tropical countries. Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) fruit juice is advocated as a part of complementary and alternative medicine. If the bottle gourd juice becomes bitter it is considered toxic. We report 15 patients, who developed toxicity due to drinking bitter bottle gourd juice. Patients presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, hematemesis, diarrhea and hypotension within 15 min to 6-h after ingestion of bottle gourd juice. Endoscopy showed esophagitis, gastric erosions, ulcers and duodenitis. Hypotension was treated with crystalloids and inotropic support. All patients recovered in 1–4 days. Endoscopically the lesions healed in 2 weeks. Bitter bottle gourd can cause gastrointestinal toxicity with hematemesis and hypotension. Supportive management is the treatment and all patients recover within 1 week.