Chinese Cucumber

Scientific Name(S): Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. Family: Cucurbitaceae

Common Name(S): Chinese cucumber, Chinese snake gourd, gua-lou, tian-hua-fen, compound Q

Botany: The chinese cucumber is one of more than 40 recognized species of Trichosanthes. It is a member of gourd family, and the root, fruit, seeds, stems and peel are used medicinally. While T. kirilowii is the plant most often referred to in Chinese materia medica, a number of related species are often used as adulterants.

History: T.kirilowii has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine where it is used to reduce fevers, swelling and coughing. A starch extracted from the root is uSed for abscesses, amenorrhea, jaundice and polyuria. Modern Chinese medicinal uses include the management of diabetes and use as an abortifacient. The plant has been used for centuries in the treatment of tumors.

Uses of Chinese Cucumber

Chinese cucumber has been used to induce abortion. It possesses antitumor activity and has been used to treat invasive moles. Chinese cucumber is being studied as a treatment for the management of AIDS infections.

Side Effects of Chinese Cucumber

Side effects include allergic reaction, fluid in the lungs or brain, bleeding in the brain, heart damage, seizures, fever and death.

Toxicology: Extracts of the Chinese cucumber are extremely toxic, particularly if administered parenterally. Subacute LD-50 studies in mice resulted in deaths in 10 days. The LD-50 of intravenously administered freezedried root extract was 2.26 mg/mouse. Crystalline trichosanthin had an LD-50 of 0.236 mg/mouse.

Patients who receive injections of trichosanthin for abortion often develop strong sensitization to the compound. The risk of anaphylactic reaction secondary to a single exposure to trichosanthin may last longer than a decade.

Other severe reactions produced by trichosanthin include pulmonary and cerebral edema, cerebral hemorrhage and myocardial damage. One report describes six patients with AIDS who purchased a cucumber root extract while in China. Following parenteral administration, tre patients developed seizures and fever and were hospitalized. The FDA has received a report of a patient who died following trichosanthin injections. The crude mixture of plant proteins and lectins may have resulted in damage to blood cells. Clinical trials in the United States are confined to the use of highly purified trichosanthin.

Chinese cucumber use is contraindicated in pregnant women. Abortifacient effects have been well docmented. In vivo and in vitro teratogenic effects were evaluated in mice, resulting in aphysical abnormalities. An additional study reported increased incidence of follicular atresia, ovulation changes and decreased hormone levels in mice given trichosanthin injections.

Summary: The Chinese cucumber has been recognized in oriental medicine for several thousand years Extracts of the plant have been used to induce abortions.
The primary component of the plant, trichosanthin, inhib its replication of the HIV virus in vitro. The plant also exhibits antitumor properties and other immunologica effects. Extracts of the plant are extremely toxic and should never be ingested without supervision by a physiciano. The plant and its compounds are contraindicated in pregnant women or those of childbearing potential.