Chinese Cucumber

Generic name: Trichosanthes Cucumerina, Trichosanthes Kirilowii Maxim., Trichosanthes Pericarpium
Brand names: Chinese Cucumber, Chinese Snake Gourd, Compound Q, Gua-lou, Gualoupi, Radix Trichosanthis, Snake Gourd, Tian-hua-fen, Tolidostena Japonica, Trichosanthis Fructus

Usage of Chinese Cucumber

Antioxidant activity

Animal data

Antioxidant activity has been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo in rodents.Chen 2014, Sathesh Kumar 2009, Seo 2015, Shah 2012, Zhang 2017

Antiviral activity

Animal and in vitro data

Studies in rats and guinea pigs demonstrated antiviral activity of trichosanthin.Shaw 2005 In vitro studies to determine potential applications have been reported.Fang 2011 In vitro studies have demonstrated activity against herpes simplex virus, HIV, and hepatitis B.He 2012, Wong 2014

Clinical data

Trichosanthin reportedly blocks HIV replication and destroys HIV-infected macrophages. In an older phase 2 clinical trial in 93 patients with HIV in whom antiretroviral agents (including zidovudine) had failed, addition of trichosanthin to antiviral agents, usually zidovudine, resulted in a median gain of 1.1 CD4+ cells/mm3.Byers 1994 Despite positive effects, more recent, improved, and larger studies are needed.

Cancer

Animal and in vitro data

Multiple in vitro and animal studies have primarily investigated trichosanthin and cucurbitacin D using human cancer cell lines, with interest focused on breast and prostate cancers.Cai 2011, Dakeng 2012, Dat 2010, Ding 2017, Duangmano 2010, Duangmano 2012, Jeong 2017, Joo 2018, Kabir 2012, Kim 2013, Li 2010, Li 2010, Li 2016, Liu 2012, Mi 2005, Miao 2015, Minh 2015, Ni 2015, Promkan 2013, Sha 2013, Shin 2008, Song 2016, Takahashi 2009, Wei 2016, Yang 2007, Yin 2008

Protection against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity has been demonstrated,Seo 2015 while enhanced repair of ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation–induced DNA damage, which contributes to skin aging and carcinogenesis, has also been shown in vitro.Joo 2018

Clinical data

A combination product containing Astragalus membranaceus, Angelica gigas, and Trichosanthes kirilowii Maximowicz (SH003) has been studied in patients with solid cancers. Further clinical trials are needed.Cheon 2018

Cardiovascular effects

Animal data

A published review of animal and in vitro studies evaluating the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular effects of Trichosanthis Fructus describes calcium channel antagonism; protective effects on reperfusion injury and endothelial insult; and vasodilatory, angiogenic, and antiplatelet activity.Yu 2018 Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have also been described, as well as positive effects in mice with methylthiouracil-induced hyperlipidemia.Yu 2018, Zhang 2016

In a study in rats, injection of Chinese snake gourd peel alleviated cardiac ischemic injury and inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis.Yang 2018 A review reports on hypotensive effects of gualoupi injection in dogs in the 1970s.Yu 2018

Clinical data

Despite reports of wide historical use of T. pericarpium (gualoupi) extract for cardiovascular disease in China,Fu 2018 quality clinical trials are lacking to provide evidence supporting a therapeutic role.

Diabetes

Animal data

The polysaccharide from snake gourd root has been used to produce a hydrogel that may have potential applications in novel drug delivery and treatment of diabetic ulcers.Yan 2019 Extracts from T. cucumerina demonstrated antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activity in rats.Kirana 2008, Saha 2012, Yu 2018 In a study of diabetic mice, a dose-dependent hypoglycemic effect was demonstrated with an aqueous extract of T. kirilowii.Lo 2017 A role in diabetic nephropathy has also been proposed based on rodent studies.Lu 2018

Dietary use

Animal data

In a study in rats, T. kirilowii seed oil served as a source of linolenic acid.Yuan 2009

Clinical data

In a clinical study of healthy young subjects, T. kirilowii seeds (20 g of seed kernels per day for 28 days) were consumed as a dietary source of conjugated linolenic acid.Yuan 2009

Expectorant effects

Animal data

In a study in mice, a decoction of gua-lou reportedly improved cough caused by ammonia.Yu 2018

Gastroprotective effects

Animal data

Fractions of the hot water extract of T. cucumerina aerial parts, particularly an ethyl acetate fraction, were gastroprotective in a study of rats with ethanol-induced gastric lesions.Karunakaran 2017

Immune system effects

Animal and in vitro data

In rodent and in vitro experiments, trichosanthin and cucurbitacin D demonstrated an inhibitory effect on lymphocytes, upregulation of CD4 T cells, and modulation of macrophages.Jiandong 2019, Song 2013, Wang 2010, Zhou 2007 In a study in mice, trichosanthin delayed allograft rejection.Song 2013 Anti-inflammatory effects of the related T. cucumerina against induced rat paw edema have also been demonstrated.Arawwawala 2010

Chinese Cucumber side effects

Available published clinical studies are limited. However, one trial reported myalgia, fever, elevated liver function tests, and mild to moderate anaphylactic reactions.Byers 1994 Allergy and anaphylaxis with trichosanthin and gualoupi injection have been reported.Duke 2002, Yu 2018

Before taking Chinese Cucumber

Use is contraindicated. Extracts of the root possess abortifacient activity and are toxic to the fetus. Trichosanthin was evaluated in the management of ectopic pregnancy in a retrospective study of Chinese inpatients.Lu 1989, Xiang 2012

How to use Chinese Cucumber

Clinical studies are lacking to provide dosing guidance. In traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese cucumber has most commonly been administered as part of a polyherbal preparation.

In a clinical study, T. kirilowii seeds (20.8 g of seed kernels per day for 28 days) were consumed as a dietary source of conjugated linolenic acid.Yuan 2009

Warnings

Extracts of Chinese cucumber are extremely toxic, particularly if administered parenterally. Acute pulmonary edema, cerebral edema and hemorrhage, myocardosis, and death have been reported.Duke 2002 Extracts of the root are toxic to the fetus.Xiang 2012 Studies in rats have shown changes in heart, liver, and kidney morphology, but in older reports these changes were not apparent in dogs administered gualoupi injection.Yu 2018

What other drugs will affect Chinese Cucumber

None well documented. A 1988 study in rabbits suggests gualoupi injection can inhibit platelet aggregation; however, case reports of any interactions with anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents are lacking.Yu 2018

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