NUTRITIONAL POTENTIAL, HEALTH EFFECTS AND STRUCTURAL DIVERSITY OF BIOACTIVE POLYSACCHARIDES FROM LAGENARIA SICERARIA: A REVIEW

Abstract

Lagenaria siceraria (family cucurbitaceae, herbaceous climbing plant) commonly known as bottle gourd, is a medicinal plant, various parts of which have been recognized for their pharmacological potential. The fruiting body of the plant is very popular for its palatability and high nutritive values comprising almost all essential constituents for normal and sound human health. The plant is a potential source of biologically active polysaccharides. The past three decades witnessed increasing investigation of the polysaccharides isolated from different parts of the plant, and the polysaccharides were reported to show immune-enhancing, anti-tumor, antihyperlipidemic, cardioprotective, analgesic, anti-inflammatory anti-diabetic, antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. A diversity of structures has been proposed for several polysaccharides isolated from various parts of L. siceraria. Apart from other bio active properties, this plant through the process of bioremediation can potentially detoxify soil from heavy metals. This paper reviews the nutritional composition, different health beneficial effects as well as structural variations of the polysaccharides of L. siceraria and its environmental potential.