Momordica dioica Roxb (Spine Gourd)- An underutilized vegetable and medicinal plant in Sri Lanka

Momordica dioica Roxb belongs to the family Cucurbitaceaeis a wild, perennial and creeping plant growing in the tropical and subtropical countries; Pakistan, China, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. It is well known as folk medicine and nutritious vegetable as it contains various nutrients and phyto-chemicals with huge medicinal value. Different plant parts of M. dioica provide a number of phyto-constituents; alkaloids, steroids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, glycosides, ursolic acid, vitamins, minerals and rich in fibre. They are potential to cure asthma, excessive salivation and inflammation caused by lizards, snake bite, elephantiasis, fever, mental and digestive disorders and maintain skin health. According to the indigenous knowledge spine gourd plays a vital role in reducing various disorders like urinary disorders, digestive disease and as a remedy for bleeding. At the present scenario, M. dioica is considered as an underutilized, non-neglected plant in Sri Lanka. Extensive identification of M. dioica and its phyto-constituents provide huge potential to protect the plant biodiversity and enhance medicinal utilization. The paper highlighted the nutrient content, different uses, botany and cultivation aspects of M. dioica which will be helpful for the students and the interested peoples.