Citrullus colocynthis (INdraVArunI)

Caraka quoted it among the vircana dravyas while Sushruta quoted it among the Adhobhagahara group of dravyas. Both Sushruta and Vagbhata have menntioned it under SyŒmadi Varga.

The drug is extensively quoted by Brihat Trayi texts as well as the Nighantu works. It is mainly used in the management of Khalitya & Palitya (baldness & grey-hair); Unmada & Apasmara (schizophrenia & epilepsy); Kamala (icterus) and other diseases.

Different varieties– In Dhanvantari Nighantu three varieties viz., Indravaruni, Visala and Svetapushpi (C. colocynthis, Trichosanthes palmata Roxb. and Cucumis trigonus Roxb respectively). However he specially mentioned former two as “Indravarunidayam”.

Bhavamishra quoted two varieties of Indravaruni viz., Indravaruni (C. colocynthis) and Mahendravaruni [T. bracteata (Linn.) voight]. Bapalal vaidya described the following four species as the sources for Indravaruni.

(i) C. colocynthis         (ii) Cucumis prophetorum

(iii) C. trigonous          (iv) T. palmata

Botanical Description– It is a perennial scabrid prostrate or climbing herb with angular stems and bified tendrils. Leaves- sinuately pinnatifid. Flowers- nomoecious, solitary, axillary, yellow. Fruit- globose pepo, 3.5-10.5 cm. in diameter, smooth, green mottled with yellow blotches, pulp spongy, bitter, Seeds- many, white or light brown.

Major chemical constituents–Alkaloids I, II & III; choline cucurbitacin B, cucurbitains I & II, citrullonol, citrulluin, citrulluene, citrollic acid, elateridine, hexanorcucubitacin I, cucurbitacin E, citrullol, citronellal, methyleugenol, inositol etc.

Part Used– Fruit, root

Dosage–Fruit powder 125-500 mg; root powder 1-3 g; fruit juice 10-20 ml.

Note–It should be used with caution for pregnants, children and sensitive individuals.

Research works–

Coloride A, a glycoside isolated from the pulp of the plant showed antihistamine and antiacetylcholine-like activity on isolated rabbit and guinea pig ileum. It exhibited negative chronotropic and inotropic activity in isoloted rabbit’s heart. It diminished the force of contraction of the ventricle and reduced the heart rate in frog heart perfusion and strub heart preparation. (Bengerjee & Dandiya, 1967).