Assessment of effects on health due to consumption of bitter bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) juice

摘要: Background & objectives: The bottle gourd ( Lagenaria siceraria ) is popularly known as lauki, ghia or dudhi in India. Its consumption advocated by traditional healers for controlling diabetes mellitus, hypertension, liver diseases, weight loss and other associated benefits. However, last few years there have been reports of suspected toxicity due to its juice. This led the constitution an Expert Committee Department Health Research at Indian Council Medical (ICMR), Ministry Family Welfare, Government India October 2010. committee looked into issues related safety juice, this paper presents findings. Methods: Information on cases juice was collected internet search, advertising website ICMR writing State district health authorities well medical colleges, hospitals private nursing homes across country. Results: Three deaths were reported, one from Delhi two Uttar Pradesh after extremely bitter persons who died freshly prepared mixed with karela over 59 age had since 20 years. reported be all three. Twenty six admitted various country complaint abdominal pain vomiting following Diarrhoea blood (haematemesis) 18 (69.2%) 19 (73.1%) patients, respectively. Biochemical investigations revealed elevated levels enzymes. More than 50 per cent patients hypotension. Endoscopic findings showed profusely bleeding stomach excessive ulceration seen distal oesophagus, duodenum most cases. All these recovered fully no sequeale recorded any Interpretation conclusions: Cucurbitaceae family, which a member contains toxic tetracyclic triterpenoid compounds called cucurbitacins are responsible taste. There antidote clinicians treat such symptomatically only. made recommendations: i community needs educated that tasting should not consumed case discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea feeling uneasiness person immediately taken nearby hospital. ii Clinicians suggested coming symptoms (discomfort, diarrhoea, gastrointestinal juice) attended general supportive care provided, i.e. IV fluids/crystalloids/blood products/fresh frozen plasma maintain haemodynamics electrolyte balance; Ryle's tube put gastric lavage assess (GI) bleed- aspirate preserved; Proton pump inhibitors given management GI bleed appropriate treatment complications given. iii possible research areas identified chemical composition studies normal members cucurbitaceae family; animal interaction between drugs.