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'''Chemical Constituents''': A substance like Colocynthine extract and one Luffein extract is found in it. In seeds fixed oil is found, one bitter substance and saponin is found. The fruit contains triterpenoid saponins: lucyosides A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M. [13]

'''Chemical Constituents''': A substance like Colocynthine extract and one Luffein extract is found in it. In seeds fixed oil is found, one bitter substance and saponin is found. The fruit contains triterpenoid saponins: lucyosides A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M. [13]

=== Sanskrit Text, Transliteration with English Translation ===

== Sanskrit Text, Transliteration with English Translation ==

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Now we shall expound the chapter on pharmaceutical preparations of ''dhamargava'' (sponge gourd). Thus said Lord Atreya.[1-2]

Now we shall expound the chapter "Dhamargava kalpa" (Pharmaceutical preparations of Dhamargava). Thus said Lord Atreya.[1-2]

==== Synonyms ====

 

=== Synonyms ===

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''Karkotaki, kothaphala, mahajalini'' and ''rajakosataki'' are the synonyms of ''dhamargava''.[3]

''Karkotaki, kothaphala, mahajalini'' and ''rajakosataki'' are the synonyms of ''dhamargava''.[3]

==== Indications ====

=== Indications ===

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Fruits, flowers and tender leaves of the plant should be collected by the method said earlier. [5]

Fruits, flowers and tender leaves of the plant should be collected by the method said earlier. [5]

==== Different preparations ====

=== Different preparations ===

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Ghee extracted from the milk boiled with the fruit of ''dhamargava'' should be prepared with ''phaladi'' (''madanaphala, jimutaka, ikshavaku, indrayava'' and ''kritavedhana'') drugs. [18]

Ghee extracted from the milk boiled with the fruit of ''dhamargava'' should be prepared with ''phaladi'' (''madanaphala, jimutaka, ikshavaku, indrayava'' and ''kritavedhana'') drugs. [18]

==== Summary ====

=== Summary ===

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Thus ends the fourth chapter on pharmaceutical preparations of ''dhamargava'' in [[Kalpa Sthana]] in the treatise composed by Dridhabala as it was not available. [4]

Thus ends the fourth chapter on pharmaceutical preparations of ''dhamargava'' in [[Kalpa Sthana]] in the treatise composed by Dridhabala as it was not available. [4]

=== Tattva Vimarsha (Fundamental Principles) ===

== Tattva Vimarsha (Fundamental Principles) ==

''Dhamargava'' (Luffa cylindrica) is useful in therapeutic emesis.

''Dhamargava'' (Luffa cylindrica) is useful in therapeutic emesis.

''Dhamargava'' has ''tikta rasa'', ''laghu, ruksha, tikshna guna'', ''ushna veerya'' and ''katu vipaka'' - all these properties are helpful in removing the ''kapha''. It has ''ruksha'' and ''tikshna guna'', which are the properties of ''vayu'' and ''agni mahabhuta''. It has ''katu vipaka'' and ''ushna veerya'' which increases the ''pitta'' i.e. ''agni mahabhuta''. The ''ubhaytobhagahara'' (emetic and purgative) action of ''dhamargava'' is due to its ''prabhava''. Looking at the above facts ''dharmargava'' should be considered as a drug of choice for ''shodhana'' in ''kapha vyadhis''. This potency is found in its tender leaves, flowers and fruits so these are used for inducing ''vamana''. Total sixty preparations are made using different medium to potentiate the effect of drug by considering ''dushyadi'' factors.

''Dhamargava'' has ''tikta rasa'', ''laghu, ruksha, tikshna guna'', ''ushna veerya'' and ''katu vipaka'' - all these properties are helpful in removing the ''kapha''. It has ''ruksha'' and ''tikshna guna'', which are the properties of ''vayu'' and ''agni mahabhuta''. It has ''katu vipaka'' and ''ushna veerya'' which increases the ''pitta'' i.e. ''agni mahabhuta''. The ''ubhaytobhagahara'' (emetic and purgative) action of ''dhamargava'' is due to its ''prabhava''. Looking at the above facts ''dharmargava'' should be considered as a drug of choice for ''shodhana'' in ''kapha vyadhis''. This potency is found in its tender leaves, flowers and fruits so these are used for inducing ''vamana''. Total sixty preparations are made using different medium to potentiate the effect of drug by considering ''dushyadi'' factors.

==== Pharmacological actions ====

=== Pharmacological actions ===

===== Anti-inflammatory activity =====

==== Anti-inflammatory activity ====

Carrageenan induced paw edema was taken as a proto type of exudative phase of acute inflammation. Inflammatory stimuli microbes, chemicals and necrosis of cells activate different mediators through a common trigger mechanism. The development of carrageenan induced edema is believed to be biphasic. The early phase is attributed to the release of histamine and serotonin and the delayed phase is sustained by the leukotrienes and prostaglandins.  

Carrageenan induced paw edema was taken as a proto type of exudative phase of acute inflammation. Inflammatory stimuli microbes, chemicals and necrosis of cells activate different mediators through a common trigger mechanism. The development of carrageenan induced edema is believed to be biphasic. The early phase is attributed to the release of histamine and serotonin and the delayed phase is sustained by the leukotrienes and prostaglandins.  

Flavonoids possess anti-emetic [16] and anti-inflammatory [17] activity. The ethanol extract of Luffa cylindrica peel contain the highest level of total flavonoids. [18] Therefore, it may be said that flavonoids may play important role in anti-emetic and anti-inflammatory effect of the extract besides other compounds. The present study is on preliminary level and results need to be verified in other experimental models and the compound(s) related activity is required to further specify the responsible anti-emetic and anti-inflammatory phytochemical.

Flavonoids possess anti-emetic [16] and anti-inflammatory [17] activity. The ethanol extract of Luffa cylindrica peel contain the highest level of total flavonoids. [18] Therefore, it may be said that flavonoids may play important role in anti-emetic and anti-inflammatory effect of the extract besides other compounds. The present study is on preliminary level and results need to be verified in other experimental models and the compound(s) related activity is required to further specify the responsible anti-emetic and anti-inflammatory phytochemical.

===== Antiemetic Activity =====

==== Antiemetic Activity ====

The ethanol extract of fruit peel of Luffa cylindrica showed significant ( p < 0.001) antiemetic effect in young chicks. The protective effect of the extract against copper sulfate induced retching in young chicks is possibly by peripheral action as the oral copper sulfate induces emesis by peripheral action through excitation of visceral afferent nerve fibers of the Gastro Intestinal Tract (GIT). [19] It has also been established that the peripheral 5-Hydroxy Tryptamine 3 (5-HT3), 5-Hydroxy tryptamine 4 (5-HT4) [20] or Neoro Kynin 1 (NK1) [21] receptors are involved in emesis. Therefore, it may be said that the ethanol extract of Luffa cylindrica fruit peel produced anti-emetic activity by receptor antagonism and has peripheral anti-emetic action.

The ethanol extract of fruit peel of Luffa cylindrica showed significant ( p < 0.001) antiemetic effect in young chicks. The protective effect of the extract against copper sulfate induced retching in young chicks is possibly by peripheral action as the oral copper sulfate induces emesis by peripheral action through excitation of visceral afferent nerve fibers of the Gastro Intestinal Tract (GIT). [19] It has also been established that the peripheral 5-Hydroxy Tryptamine 3 (5-HT3), 5-Hydroxy tryptamine 4 (5-HT4) [20] or Neoro Kynin 1 (NK1) [21] receptors are involved in emesis. Therefore, it may be said that the ethanol extract of Luffa cylindrica fruit peel produced anti-emetic activity by receptor antagonism and has peripheral anti-emetic action.

Anti-emetic activity by using copper sulfate proposed 5-HT3, 5-HT4 or NK1 receptors antagonism. Therefore it may be said that the extract was able to effectively prevent its effect and has a peripheral anti-emetic action.

Anti-emetic activity by using copper sulfate proposed 5-HT3, 5-HT4 or NK1 receptors antagonism. Therefore it may be said that the extract was able to effectively prevent its effect and has a peripheral anti-emetic action.

===== Anti-fungal Activity =====

==== Anti-fungal Activity ====

In vitro, luffacylin inhibited Mycosphaerella arachidicola and Fusarium oxysporum. [22]

In vitro, luffacylin inhibited Mycosphaerella arachidicola and Fusarium oxysporum. [22]

==== Analgesia and sedation ====

=== Analgesia and sedation ===

In mice, intraperitoneal administration of water decoction of sigualuo inhibited acetic acid induced writhing, raised the pain threshold in hot plate and electric shock tests, reduced spontaneous activities, and synergized the effects of pentobarbital sodium. [23-25]

In mice, intraperitoneal administration of water decoction of sigualuo inhibited acetic acid induced writhing, raised the pain threshold in hot plate and electric shock tests, reduced spontaneous activities, and synergized the effects of pentobarbital sodium. [23-25]

==== Milk preparations ====

=== Milk preparations ===

#Fortifying the milk by using the flowers of ''dhamargava''  

#Fortifying the milk by using the flowers of ''dhamargava''  

#Soaking crushed fruit of ''dhamargava'' in wine for a night and drinking it in morning after thorough maceration and filtering before administering. [verse 7]

#Soaking crushed fruit of ''dhamargava'' in wine for a night and drinking it in morning after thorough maceration and filtering before administering. [verse 7]

==== Emetic preparation ====

=== Emetic preparation ===

Pluck the flower of ''pundarika'' (sacred lotus), ''nalada'' (''khaskhas'' grass variety of lotus Nymphaea alba Linn.) and ''kumuda'' (Indian red water lily) and sprinkle it with fine powder prepared out of ''dhamargava'' fruit. After dusting the flower with powder of ''dhamargava'' give to the patient to inhale the smell. A mixture of this sort will go quickly to the heart (i.e. the sensory feeling area of the brain) and its veins when smelt. Patient should smell it repeatedly this process hastens the emesis. It is by such a formulation alone (''anenaiva kalpana'') that a person vomits out comfortably. [27] [verse 10]

Pluck the flower of ''pundarika'' (sacred lotus), ''nalada'' (''khaskhas'' grass variety of lotus Nymphaea alba Linn.) and ''kumuda'' (Indian red water lily) and sprinkle it with fine powder prepared out of ''dhamargava'' fruit. After dusting the flower with powder of ''dhamargava'' give to the patient to inhale the smell. A mixture of this sort will go quickly to the heart (i.e. the sensory feeling area of the brain) and its veins when smelt. Patient should smell it repeatedly this process hastens the emesis. It is by such a formulation alone (''anenaiva kalpana'') that a person vomits out comfortably. [27] [verse 10]

=== Further reading ===

=== Further reading ===

#Agnivesha, Charaka, Dridhabala, Charaka samhita, Kalpa  sthana, Dhamargava Kalpa Adhyaya, 4/11, English Translation  and edited by Prof. P.V. Sharma, . Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi Reprint 2011, 551.

#Agnivesha, Charaka, Dridhabala, Charaka samhita, Kalpa  sthana, Dhamargava Kalpa Adhyaya, 4/11, English Translation  and edited by Prof. P.V. Sharma, . Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi Reprint 2011, 551.

=== References ===

== References ==

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