Chinese cucumber juice contains trichosanthin and karasurin, proteins which effectively induce abortions. The purified protein alpha-trichosanthin from the root of Chinese cucumber is cytotoxic to some macrophages infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and monocytes and may increase CD4 cell counts in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Trichosanthin may be useful in treating lymphomas and leukemias by helping to kill leukemia-lymphoma cells. The herb may have anti tumorigenic effects. Chinese cucumber is available as dry ripe fruit, dry seeds, dry roots, fresh roots, dry fruit peel, and purified trichosanthin.

Benefits And Uses of Chinese Cucumber

Chinese cucumber is used to treat invasive nevi. In traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese cucumber is used orally with other herbs to treat fever, dry and productive cough, mastitis, angina, constipation, lung abscess, diabetes, and appendicitis.

Administration

• To treat fever, congestion, or constipation: 9 to 15 g of dried fruit by mouth.

Side Effects of Chinese Cucumber

Most adverse effects associated with Chinese cucumber are linked to parenteral administration and include cerebral edema, cerebral hemorrhage, seizures, myocardial damage, nausea, vomiting, blood cell damage, acute pulmonary edema, fatal anaphylactic reactions, and prolonged anaphylactic reactions, including fever, follicular atresia, ovulation changes, and decreased hormone levels. Additive hypoglycemic effects may occur when Chinese cucumber is used with antidiabetic agents.

Those with a hypersensitivity to Chinese cucumber should avoid use. Patients who are pregnant or who are planning pregnancy should also avoid use.

Clinical considerations

• Warn patient that extracts of Chinese cucumber are extremely toxic when administered parenterally.
• Advise patient never to ingest this product unless under the supervision of a qualified health care provider.
• Instruct patient to immediately report any shortness of breath or severe headache.
• Monitor patient closely for hypersensitivity reactions and mental status changes.
• Effects may occur more than a decade after a trichosanthin injection.
• Monitor complete blood count closely at regular intervals.
• If patient is receiving an antidiabetic or another herb that could cause hypoglycemic additive effects, caution him to closely monitor his blood glucose level.
• If patient is pregnant, advise her to avoid all contact with Chinese cucumber.
• Advise patient that he should follow up regularly with his health care provider to evaluate the effectiveness of therapy.
• Tell patient to remind prescriber and pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he’s taking when obtaining a new prescription.
• Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a treatment with proven efficacy may be available.

Research summary

The concepts behind the use of Chinese cucumber and the claims made regarding its effects have not yet been validated scientifically. The herb is currently being studied as a possible treatment for AIDS related infections.

Tagged under:abortions acute pulmonary edema cerebral edema chinese cucumber cucumber cucumber uses fever Health Flash hypoglycemic vomiting blood

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