Fructus Trichosanthis
Source
Fruit of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. or several species of the same
genus, family Cucurbitaceae.
Characteristics
Gourd spherical or oblong, 6-9 cm long. Surface yellowish brown, irregularly
skrunkened; apex with remnant style base, and its base with 
fruit
stalk scars remaining. Peel thin and brittle, containing the pulp and
many ovate seeds inside. Burnt sugar in odour. Exocarp appearing the same
as the outer surface of gourd; endocarp yellowish white, with vascular
bundles. Sweet and bitter in taste, cold in nature, and attributive to
lung, stomach and large intestine channels.
Indication
1. Clear away lung-heat, moisturize dryness and eliminate phlegm: For
lung-heat syndrome manifested as cough with yellow and thick sputum, chest
pain and feeling of oppression in the chest, usually used together with
Radix Scutellariae, Ansaemae cum Bile and Fructus Aurantii Immaturus;
for cough of dryness-heat type with yellow and thick sputum, dryness of
throat and mouth, used together with Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae and
Radix Adenophorae Strictae.
2. Promote vital energy circulation and ease the chest: For accumulation
of phlegm-heat in the chest manifested as chest pain, feeling of oppression
in the chest and hypochondria, yellow and. greasy fur, cough with yellow
and thick sputum, usually used with Rhizoma Pinelliae together. Recently,
used for angina pectoris.
3. Disperse lumps and relieve carbuncle: For breast nodules such as fibroadenoma,
used together with Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Radix Glycyrrhizae, Olibanum,
and Myrrha. Also for lung abscess, acute appendicitis, carbuncle, subcutaneous
nodule, scrofula, etc.
4.
Lubricate the intestine and relax the bowels: For constipation due to
dryness of intestine. Recently also used for hyperlipemia and hypertension.
Pharmacological
Action
1. The decoction of its fruit can inhibit the growth of cancer cells in
vitro.
2. The decoction of its peel inhibits the growth of Bacillus dysenteriae
and pneumococcus in vitro.
3. The extract of its peel or its seeds can increase the coronary flow
in guinea-pigs.
Administration
Decoction:
Fructus Trichosanthis 12-30g; Semen Trichosanthis 6-15g.
Caution
Incompatible with Radix Aconiti. Pericarpium Trichosanthis is better for
clearing away lung-heat, eliminating phlegm, promoting lung energy circulation,
easing the chest, dispersing the lumps and relieving carbuncle; Semen
Trichosanthis is better for moisturizing dryness and lubricating the intestine.