Medicinal Ingredients of Wax Gourd (Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.): An Integrated Review of Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Nutraceutical Applications

Wax gourd (Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.), a monotypic member of the Cucurbitaceae family, is a globally significant vegetable crop distinguished by its versatile nutritional and therapeutic properties. This review systematically synthesizes current knowledge on the phytochemical composition and pharmacological potential of various botanical parts, thereby bridging ethnobotanical history with modern molecular insights. Recent advancements in multi-omics technologies, particularly metabolomics and chromatography–mass spectrometry, have significantly deepened the characterization of its bioactive constituents, including specific proteins, enzymes, peptides, flavonoids, triterpenes, sterols, and polysaccharides. Special emphasis is placed on the molecular mechanisms and biosynthetic pathways underlying its pharmacological activities-ranging from antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects to metabolic regulation involving anti-ulcer, nephroprotective, and hypotensive properties. Recent investigations have identified over 60 bioactive compounds, including cucurbitacins, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and phenolic acids in wax gourd, and elucidated their anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and organ-protective effects through multiple signaling pathways. By integrating traditional medicinal applications with emerging genomic insights-including recent whole-genome sequencing and QTL mapping studies-this review highlights the current understanding of the genetic basis underlying fruit quality and discusses the potential for molecular breeding approaches and the development of functional nutraceuticals. Ultimately, wax gourd represents a valuable candidate for leveraging horticultural science to enhance human health and disease management.