A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON BENINCASA HISPIDA: A MULTIFUNCTIONAL MEDICINAL PLANT WITH EMPHASIS ON ANTI-HELMINTHIC ACTIVITY

Benincasa hispida (Thunb.), commonly called ash gourd or wax gourd, is a widely used medicinal plant in traditional Asian systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani. The plant exhibits numerous pharmacological actions, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anthelmintic effects. Helminthic infections continue to afflict billions of people worldwide, particularly in developing regions with poor sanitation. Rising resistance and side effects of conventional drugs like albendazole and mebendazole have encouraged the search for safe, plant-based alternatives. This review summarizes the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of B. hispida, with special emphasis on its anthelmintic potential. Mechanisms of action, comparisons with standard drugs, and future research perspectives are also discussed. The evidence suggests that B. hispida could serve as a natural, accessible, and safe therapeutic source for managing helminthic infections.