Myocardial ischemia treated with TCM semen trichosanthis

What is semen trichosanthis(Gua Lou Ren)? According to the survey, currently there are at least a dozen varieties share the name of Gua Lou Ren. However, medicinally it mainly refers to the dry mature seeds of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. or Trichosanthes rosthornii Harms. Others also include T.truncata C.B.Clarke, T.bracteata (Lam.) Voigt, T.cucumeroides Maxim., and so on. And this herb gets a few different common names like Gua Lou Zi, snakegourd seed, trichosanthes seed, trichosanthes fruit seeds, trichosanthes kirilowii seed, and more. For better medicinal qualities, it is usually harvested during autumn when the fruit is ripe enough. After the harvest, cut it open, pick up the seeds, wash clean, and dried in the sun.

Seeds of Trichosanthes kirilowii are flat oval, 12 to 15mm in length, 6 to 10mm in width, and about 3.5mm in thickness. Surface is light brown to brown, and with a groove along the edge. Pointed top comes with navel and base is obtuse or narrower. Seed coat is hard. Membranous endopleura is gray green and with 2 oily, yellowish white cotyledon. And it has slight odor and taste. In comparison, seeds of Trichosanthes rosthornii are larger and flat, 15 to 19mm long, 8 to 10mm wide and about 2.5mm thick. Skin is brown, and with clear groove and wider rim. And the top is truncate.

Semen trichosanthis health benefits
Main chemical constituents of this herb are 16.8% unsaturated fatty acids, 5.46% protein, and 17 amino acids, triterpenoid saponins, multiple vitamins and 16 kinds of trace elements, such as calcium, iron, zinc, selenium. And its pharmacology tells how it really works as follows.

Modern pharmacological actions of trichosanthes seed
1. It can dilate coronal artery and thus increase coronary blood flow;
2. It has significant protection on acute myocardial ischemia;
3. It strongly inhibits in vitro the proliferation of isolated cancer cell and HIV;
4. It has a therapeutic effect on diabetes;
5. It has auxiliary effect on hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and high cholesterol;
6. It can enhance the body immunity;
7. It can help lose weight and improve looks;
8. It can cause Diarrhea.