PHARMACOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF IVY GUARD PLANT

Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt, commonly known as Ivy gourd, little gourd, or ‘Kundru’ in vernacular Indian languages, is a tropical perennial vine belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. It is widely distributed across India, tropical Africa, Australia, and other Oriental countries, and has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, such as Ayurveda and Unani. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the anti-inflammatory potential of C. grandis, encompassing its history, botanical characteristics, phytochemistry, and pharmacological profile. The plant is a rich source of essential nutrients, including protein, calcium, fiber, and beta-carotene (a precursor of vitamin A). It contains a diverse array of secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, sterols, and triterpenoids (cucurbitacins B and D). The various parts of the plant (leaves, stems, fruits, and roots) have been used as a household remedy for a range of ailments, including skin eruptions, fevers, ulcers, and inflammation. Numerous scientific studies have validated these traditional claims, demonstrating significant anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-pyretic, and antioxidant activities through in-vitro and in-vivo models. The anti-inflammatory effects are largely attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds and the modulation of key inflammatory mediators and signaling pathways, such as NF-κB and p38 MAPK. The accumulated data strongly suggest that C. grandis is a promising source of natural anti-inflammatory agents with potential for the development of modern therapeutics.