Phytochemical analysis of the leaves of Benincasa hispida

Abstract

Benincasa hispida commonly called ash gourd belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae [1]. It is a popular vegetable crop, especially among Asian communities both for nutritional and medicinal purposes [2]. The plant was used medicinally in various complaints like gastrointestinal problems, respiratory diseases, heart diseases, diabetes mellitus and urinary diseases [3]. The present study was carried out to identify the phytochemicals present in the methanolic extract of the leaves of Benincasa hispida by GC MS analysis. From the GC MS analysis eighteen compounds were identified.