Acute and subacute oral toxicity evaluation of benincasa hispida extract in rodents.

The toxicity studies were carried out a 50% aqueous ethanolic extract of Benincasa hispida ( B. hispida )in rodents.The acute toxicity study, B. hispida was found to be well tolerated upto 2000mg/kg, produced neither mortality nor in behavior in mice. In subacute toxicity study, B. hispida at dose level of 200 and 400 mg/kg did not produce any significant difference in their body weight, food and water intake when compared to vehicle treated rats. It also showed no significant alteration in hematological and biochemical parameters in experimental groups of rats apart from a decrease in aspatate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphate content at the dose of 400 mg/kg. Histopathological study revealed normal architecture of kidney and liver of B. hispida treated rats. These results demonstrated that there is a wide margin of safety for the therapeutic use of B. hispida and further corroborated the traditional use of this extract as an anti hepatocarcinogenic agent.

Formulation and in vitro evaluation of the topical antiageing preparation of the fruit of Benincasa hispida.

Ageing is the phase of gradual decline of body efficiency and metabolic activities after reaching a maturity stage. Free radicals cause oxidative alterations in collagen, elastin material and changes in membrane characteristics and induce polymerization reactions. Use of topical antioxidants can overcome some of these effects and retard actinic ageing. Herbal products are popular due to their minimum risk of side-effects with maximum efficacy. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antiageing potential of Benincasa hispida fruit extract as not many scientific studies have been carried out to explore its utility as skin renewal enhancer and as an antioxidant. After removing the outer layer and the seeds, the fruit pulp was dried. The dried fruit pulp was extracted successively with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol by Soxhlation for 2 days. Methanol was recovered under vacuum and a dry extract was obtained (yield 4.2% w/w), which was stored in a desiccator. Suitable topical cream base for effective carriage of fruit extract was developed and its in vitro evaluation for skin renewal activity was tested by application to the stratum corneum of human cadaver skin and by dansyl chloride fluorescence method. The results show that the cream prepared from Benincasa fruit extract may prove as an antiageing preparation and can be used for retarding the symptoms of ageing.

Diuretic effect of chloroform extract of benincasa hispida rind (Pericarp) in sprague-dawley rats.

The diuretic activity of Benincasa hispida fruit rind extract (outer thick pericarp) was investigated and its activity was compared to control (normal saline) and standard diuretic hydrochlorothiazide in albino rats. Total of 54 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were taken whose weights ranged from 175-225 gm. The rats were divided into three groups of 18 rats each (control, standard and test). Control group received 0.9% normal saline 25ml/kg orally. Standard group received hydrochlorothiazide 2.5mg/kg body weight orally along with normal saline keeping the volume of the fluid administered constant. Test group received aqueous extract of rind of Benincasa hispida at the dose of 100mg/kg orally along with normal saline 25ml/kg. Urine was collected for a period of 5 hours by placing the animals in metabolic cages. The urinary volume, pH, and urinary excretion of sodium, potassium and chloride were measured and compared. The extract produced significant increase (p<0.001) in urine volume, sodium and chloride levels, and significant decrease (p<0.001) in potassium excretion. Benincasa hispida rind extract possesses significant diuretic activity.

Effects of Fractions of Benincasa hispida on Antioxidative Status in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

This study was designed to examine the effects of fractions of ethanol extract of Benincasa hispida (wax gourd) on hepatic antioxidative status in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were induced diabetes mellitus by STZ injection (45 mg/kg) into the tail vein and were divided into 5 groups: normal, STZ-control, three experimental diabetic groups. Fractions of ethanol extract of Benincasa hispida were administered orally into the diabetic rats for 14 days. Hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) activity (determined with H2O2 as substrate) was increased in the groups supplemented with chloroform (CHCl3) and butanol (BuOH) fractions. Glutathione peroxidase (GR) activity in the liver cytosol of H2O fraction groups was significantly lower than that of STZ-control group. The H2O fraction supplemented group has been shown the notably decrease in the hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The hepatic cytosol catalase (CAT) activity was significant decreased by the supplementation with BuOH fraction. It was found from the results that the supplementation of BuOH and H2O fractions of Benincasa hispida extract could be beneficial for the diabetic complications and damages from the lipid peroxidation.

Effects of Benincasa hispida Fractions on Hepatic Lipid Levels and Lipid Peroxidation in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

The effects of fractions of ethanol extract of Benincasa hispida (wax gourd) on lipid levels and lipid peroxidation in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats were examined. Sprague-Dawley rats were induced diabetes mellitus by STZ injection (45 mg/kg) into the tail vein and were divided into 5 groups: normal, STZ-control, three experimental diabetic groups [chloroform (CHCl3) fraction group, butanol (BuOH) fraction group, and water fraction group]. Fractions of ethanol extract of Benincasa hispida were administered orally into the diabetic rats for 14 days. The liver glycogen levels of CHCl3 fraction group and the muscle glycogen levels of BuOH and water fraction groups were significantly higher than that of STZ-control group. Pancreas protein levels of BuOH and water fraction groups were significantly higher than that of STZ-control group. The liver cholesterol level of BuOH and water fraction groups were significantly lower when compared with the STZ-control group. The level of liver triglyceride in BuOH and water fraction groups were significantly higher than that of STZ-control group. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in liver of normal and diabetic groups were not significantly different. In the pancreas, the MDA levels of BuOH and water fraction group were significantly lower than that of STZ-control group. The results suggested that the supplementation of the BuOH and water fractions of Benincasa hispida extract could be beneficial for the diabetic complications and damages from the lipid peroxidation.

Effects of Fractions of Benincasa hispida on Plasma Levels of Glucose and Lipid in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

This study was designed to examine the effects of fractions of ethanol extract of Benincasa hispida (wax gourd) on plasma glucose and lipid levels in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabolic rats. sprague-Dawley rats were induced diabetes mellitus by STZ injection (45 mg/kg) into the tail vein and were divided into 5 groups: normal, STZ-control, three experimental diabetic groups. fractions of ethanol extract of Benincasa hispida were administered orally into the diabetic rats for 14 days. The food intake and body weight were monitored and plasma levels of glucose, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride (TG) , free fatty acid (FFA) , and aminotransferase activity were analyzed. A significant lowering effects of plasma glucose levels were observed in the chloroform fraction and H2O fraction group compared to STZ-control group at 14 days. Administrations of each of the three fractions decreased plasma TG and FFA levels in diabetic rats. Activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in CHCl3 fraction and H2O fraction groups and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in $H_2O$ fraction group significantly lower than STZ-control group. The results show that CHCl3 fraction of Benincasa hispida could be effective to control the STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Effects of Benincasa hispida Seeds Intake on Blood Glucose and Lipid Levels in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

This study was designed to examine the effects of diets containing different levels of seeds of Benincasa hispida (wax gourd) on plasma glucose, insulin levels and lipid profiles in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were induced diabetes mellitus by STZ injection (45 mg/kg) into the tail vein and were divide into 4 groups: normal, STZ-control, two experimental groups. Normal and STZ-control groups were fed an AIN-93 diet and 2 experimental groups were fed a modified diet containing 2.5% and 5.0% of wax gourd seed powder for 4 weeks. The weight gain and feed efficiency ratio in 5.0% seed groups were higher than in STZ-control group. A significant lowering effects of plasma glucose levels were observed in the wax gourd seed 2.5% and 5.0 groups. The plasma insulin level did not differ after treatment with wax gourd seed in experimental rats. The intake of 2.5% wax gourd seed did not result in significant change in plasma cholesterol levels compared to diabetic control group. The intake of 2.5% wax gourd seeds had normalized the increased levels of plasma triglyceride and free fatty acids after 4 weeks. In 5% wax gourd seed group, cholesterol, triglyceride and free fatty acid levels were elevated compared to 2.5% wax gourd seed group. The results of the present study indicate that 2.5% wax gourd seed group would be more effective to control the diabetes than 5% wax gourd seed group.

Effects of Benincasa Hispida Seed Supplementation on Glycogen Status and Lipid Peroxidation in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

This study was designed to examine the effects of diets containing different levels of seeds of Benincasa hispida(wax gourd) on glycogen, protein levels and lipid profiles as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were induced diabetes mellitus by STZ injection (45 mg/kg) into the tail vein and were divided into four groups: normal, STZ-control, and two experimental groups. Normal and STZ-control groups were fed the AIN-93 diet and the two experimental groups were fed a modified diet containing 2.5% and 5.0% of wax gourd seed powder for four weeks. The liver, muscle, lung, kidney, and pancreas were excised after sacrifice, then the glycogen, protein, and lipid peroxidation products were measured. The rats fed 2.5% wax gourd seed group showed higher levels of liver glycogen compared with that of the STZ-control group. The levels of kidney protein were significantly increased in the 2.5% and 5.0% wax gourd seed groups. There were no significant difference cholesterol and liver triglyceride levels of the liver and MDA concentration in the liver, lung, and kidney among all four groups. These results show that wax gourd seed treatment of 2.5% and 5.0% doses did not exhibit profound anti-lipid peroxidation properities.

Effects of Benincasa hispida Intake on Blood Glucose and Lipid Level in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

This study was designed to investigate the hypoglycemic effects of Benincasa hispida (Wax gourd) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in the male rats by intravenous injection of STZ at a dose of 45 mg/kg dissolved in citrate buffer. The diabetic animals then had plasma glucose concentration of above 300mg/dl. The experimental groups were divided into five groups; normal, STZ-control and three Wax gourd groups (5%, 10% and 20% intake groups). Normal and STZ-control groups were fed on a AIN-93 diet and experimental groups were fed a AIN-93 diet with the Wax gourd powder (5%, 10% and 20%/kg diet) for 4 weeks. The body weight, diet intake and feed efficiency ratio (FER) were monitored. The blood glucose and cholesterol levels were determined everyweek. After 4 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and the levels of glucose, insulin, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and free fatty acids in plasma and levels of glycogen in liver and muscle were analyzed. Diabetic rats showed the lower weight gain compared to the normal rats. The weight gain and feed efficiency ratios in 15 and 20% Wax gourd groups were higher than in STZ-control group. The plasma glucose levels were significantly lower in all Wax gourd groups than in STZ-control group. The plasma insulin levels in diabetic groups were not significantly different compared to the normal group, but the level of 20% Wax gourd group was higher than other diabetic groups. The experimental diabetic groups showed the higher levels of muscle glycogen compared to STZ-control group. The lower levels of plasma cholesterol were noticed in 20% Wax gourd group throughout the experimental period. The plasma level of triglyceride was elevated in STZ-diabetic control and the levels were slightly decreased in Wax gourd groups. Rats of 10% Wax gourd group showed the lower levels of plasma free fatty acids. It is suggested, from the results, that the possibility of therapeutic or preventive use of wax gourd to the diabetes mellitus.