Nutritional and therapeutic values of Coccinea grandis: A review

Abstract

Coccinia grandis also known as Ivy Gourd is a nutrient rich fast growing perennial vine plant of Cucurbitaceae family. It is a dioecious, perennial and herbaceous climber or trailing vine with glabrous stems and tuberous roots. Traditionally it is known for its medicinal and nutritional qualities and its all plant parts like roots, leaves and fruits are used in local medicinal purposes like jaundice, diabetes, wound healing, ulcers, stomach ache, skin disease, fever, asthma, cough. It is a wonderful vegetable plant species having various pharmacological properties like analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiulcer, antidiabetic, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, antimalarial, antidyslipidemic, anticancer, antitussive, mutagenic.