Pharmacology and phytochemistry of Coccinia indica

Abstract

Coccinia indica (Bimba, kanduri, Cucurbitaceae) is famous for its hypoglycemic and antidiabetic properties in Ayurvedic system of medicine. Other applications include the therapy of various conditions such as skin diseases and gonorrhoea. The present review highlights the phytochemistry and pharmacology of Coccinia indica. There are many patented formulations derived from C. indica which are now distributed increasingly all over the world. This has given rise to a concomitant increase in research on the phytochemical constituents and biological activity of C. indica.   Key words: Coccinia indica, hypoglycemic, antidiabetic, saponins, terpenoids, sterol.