Changes

Chakrapani mentions the use of freshly appeared fruit in the preparation of milk gruel. Arunadatta comments there are two varieties of ''Jimutaka'' fruits viz ''Mridu'' and ''Kathina'' , based on their hairy and non hairy texture.<ref>Arunadatta, Vagbhata. Kalpa Sthana, amana Kalpa Adhyaya verse 21. In: Harishastri Paradkar Vaidya, Editors. Ashtanga Hridayam. 1st ed. Varanasi: Krishnadas Academy;2000.p.4.</ref>  Fruits described as ''Haritapandu'' should be of moderate growth and of texture that lies between hairy and non hairy ones.  

Chakrapani mentions the use of freshly appeared fruit in the preparation of milk gruel. Arunadatta comments there are two varieties of ''Jimutaka'' fruits viz ''Mridu'' and ''Kathina'' , based on their hairy and non hairy texture.<ref>Arunadatta, Vagbhata. Kalpa Sthana, amana Kalpa Adhyaya verse 21. In: Harishastri Paradkar Vaidya, Editors. Ashtanga Hridayam. 1st ed. Varanasi: Krishnadas Academy;2000.p.4.</ref>  Fruits described as ''Haritapandu'' should be of moderate growth and of texture that lies between hairy and non hairy ones.  

The recipe with ''Jimutaka'' as nasal drops in the management of ''Kamala'' is very popular and has scientific validation. Its Emetic activity has also been revalidated. Being ''tiskanavamaka'' it can be used in ''Nanatmaja Kapha Vikara''. Though it sometimes may create hematemesis.

The recipe with ''Jimutaka'' as nasal drops in the management of ''Kamala'' is very popular and has scientific validation. Its Emetic activity has also been revalidated. Being ''tiskanavamaka'' it can be used in ''Nanatmaja Kapha Vikara''. Though it sometimes may create hematemesis.<ref>Thakur Balwant Singh and Dr K C Chunekar, Glossary of Vegetable drugs in Brihattrayi, second edition 1999, Chaukhamba Amarabharati Prakashan, Varanasi, pp 207 </ref>

=== Researches ===

=== Researches ===

#Aqueous extract of fruits significantly lowered the serum bilirubin level in chlorpromazine – induced jaundice in rats[12]

#Aqueous extract of fruits significantly lowered the serum bilirubin level in chlorpromazine – induced jaundice in rats<ref>SK Bapat, V Chandra, The effect of Luffa echinata (Roxb) on experimental jaundice in rats,Indian journal of physiology and pharmacology 08/1968; 12(3):119-20.</ref>

#The alcoholic and thr ether extracts of the plant showed definite protection against CCl4- induced liver injury in rats[13] .

#The alcoholic and thr ether extracts of the plant showed definite protection against CCl4- induced liver injury in rats.<ref>Lauria P etal, The effect of Luffa ecchinata in liver injury and its other pharmacological actions. Indian J Pharmacology 1972 ,4(2),152

#50% ethanolic extract of whole plant (except roots) showed hypoglycaemic action in rats. The LD50 of the extract in mice was found to be 261 mg/kg i.p[14] (Aswal et al., 1984).

#50% ethanolic extract of whole plant (except roots) showed hypoglycaemic action in rats. The LD50 of the extract in mice was found to be 261 mg/kg i.p[14] (Aswal et al., 1984).

#Methanolic extract of Luffa echinata exerts its antiproliferative effects by inducing apoptotic cell death, and causing G2/S arrest in HT-29 cells and it promotes ROS generation[15].  

#Methanolic extract of Luffa echinata exerts its antiproliferative effects by inducing apoptotic cell death, and causing G2/S arrest in HT-29 cells and it promotes ROS generation<ref>K Nishteswar,  Ayurvedic herbal remedies, Choukhambha Surabharati Prakashan , Varanasi,2009, pp-95<ref>.  

#In a study on the therapeutic effect of Luffa echinata fruits in 6 patients of viral hepatitis the result reveals that a single administration of drops squeezed from water soaked dry fruits into the nostrils led to a reduction in bilirubin and SGPT levels significantly within 3 to 7 days and this response was accompanied by a substantial relief in clinical symptoms especially anorexia and malaise.The nasal secretions contained total bilirubin ranging from 1.62 to 5.5mg per cent, the levels not being higher than the serum levels. The observations thus could justify the simple explanation of the relief of jaundice by enhanced nasal excretion of bilirubin. The possibility of the absorption of the active principle of the plant through the nasal mucosa and then action on the liver has been proposed.[16]

#In a study on the therapeutic effect of Luffa echinata fruits in 6 patients of viral hepatitis the result reveals that a single administration of drops squeezed from water soaked dry fruits into the nostrils led to a reduction in bilirubin and SGPT levels significantly within 3 to 7 days and this response was accompanied by a substantial relief in clinical symptoms especially anorexia and malaise.The nasal secretions contained total bilirubin ranging from 1.62 to 5.5mg per cent, the levels not being higher than the serum levels. The observations thus could justify the simple explanation of the relief of jaundice by enhanced nasal excretion of bilirubin. The possibility of the absorption of the active principle of the plant through the nasal mucosa and then action on the liver has been proposed.<ref>K Nishteswar,  Ayurvedic herbal remedies, Choukhambha Surabharati Prakashan , Varanasi,2009, pp-95</ref>

#Pharmacological activity

#Pharmacological activity

*Anti-arthritic activity [17]

*Anti-arthritic activity <ref>H S Chandel et al, Evaluation of antiarthritic activity on LuffaechinataRoxb. fruits on rats, Asian Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, 3(21) 2013, 36-41.</ref>

*Hepatoprotective activity[18]

*Hepatoprotective activity<ref>Bahar Ahmed et al, Hepatoprotective activity of Luffaechinata fruits, Journal of Ethnopharmacology 76 (2001) 187–189</ref>

*Anti-cancer activity [19]

*Anti-cancer activity <ref>Li-Hua Shang et al, LuffaechinataRoxb. Induces Human Colon Cancer Cell (HT-29) Death by Triggering the Mitochondrial Apoptosis Pathway, Molecules 2012, 17, 5780-5794; doi:10.3390/molecules17055780.</ref>

===Thrust areas of research ===  

===Thrust areas of research ===  

Thyroid disorders became common especially in female. Thyroid disorders especially hypothyroidism should be treated by giving Vamana with ''Jimutaka''. It can be used as emetic  in de-addiction due to alcohol withdrawal syndrome due to its hepato protective activity.

Thyroid disorders became common especially in female. Thyroid disorders especially hypothyroidism should be treated by giving Vamana with ''Jimutaka''. It can be used as emetic  in de-addiction due to alcohol withdrawal syndrome due to its hepato protective activity.

== References ==

== References ==