Gen info
- Zanonia is a monotypic genus in the flowering plant family Cucurbitaceae (the cucumber, squash, and pumpkin family). The only species i Zanonia indica, a medium-sized liana found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia east to New Guinea. (3)
- Etymology: The genus name Zanonia was given by Linnaeus in 1753 without a specific epithet. The specific epithet indica, added later in 1759 by Linnaeus, refers to its origin in India.
- The genus name derived from the names used in the 17th-century work, Hortus Malabaricus, where the plant was referred to as Penar-valli foemina and Penar-valli mas.

Botany
• Stem robust, branched, ± sulcate, glabrous. Leaves glabrous; leaf blade ovate-oblong, 8-16 × 5-10 cm, leathery, abaxially with distinct reticulate veins, lateral veins 3 or 4 pairs, adaxially smooth, base rounded or slightly emarginate, margin entire, apex acute; petiole 1.5-3 cm, glabrous. Male peduncle slender; rachis ca. 16 cm, much branched; pedicel robust, 4-5 mm, with articulation; calyx segments ovate-triangular, ca. 2 mm, glabrous, apex acute; corolla pale yellow-brown; segments oblong, 3-3.5 × 1-1.5 mm, apex obtuse. Female peduncle 10-30 cm, sparsely 5-10-flowered; pedicels thick; calyx segments ca. 4 mm, apex obtuse; corolla segments 6-8 mm; ovary obconic-cylindric, 10-12 mm. Fruit brownish, 6-10 × 2.5-5 cm, finely granulate, base obtuse, apex truncate. Seeds oblong, ca. 2 × 1-1.5 cm; wing yellowish or white, surrounding central seed, 5-8 × 1.3-2 cm, base and apex rounded. (Flora of China)

Distribution
- Native to the Philippines. (1) (2)
- In Bohol, Zamboanga, Zamboanga Sibugay, Negros, Sulu Archipelago, Tawi-tawi. (2)
- Also native to Andaman Is., Assam, Bangladesh, Borneo, Cambodia, China South-Central, China Southeast, East Himalaya, India, Jawa, Laos, Malaya, Maluku, Myanmar, New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Thailand, Vietnam. (1)
- Riversides, mountain slopes;p 300-900 m.

Constituents
- Qualitative phytochemical screening of hexane, acetone, chloroform, methanol, and aqueous extracts of Z. indica revealed presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, steroids, tannins, carbohydrates, saponins, quinones, resins, proteins and glycosides. (see study below) (6)
- Elemental analysis of leaf and fruit powder revealed presence of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, and copper. Macroelement nitrogen is found rich in both fruit and leaf. Microelement iron was found rich compared to other microelements. (9)
- Study of fruit and leaf powder for macronutrients yielded: nitrogen 5.25% and 2.87%, phosphorus 0.284% and 0.271%, potassium 1.715% and 1.38%, calcium 0.50% and 2.042%, and magnesium 0.16% and 0.215%, respectively. (9)
- Micronutrients of fruit and leaf powders yielded: iron 78.70 ppm and 185.25 ppm, manganese 24.05 ppm and 61.30 ppm, zinc 17.90 ppm and 17..85 ppm, and copper 9.75 ppm and 13.40 ppm, respectiively. (9)

Properties
- Studies have suggested antibacterial, antifungal, nutrient, antioxidant properties.

Parts used
Fruit.

Uses
Edibility
- No info found on use as food source. However,
leaves and fruits are consumed for medicinal purposes.
Folkloric
- No reported folkloric medicine use in the Philippines,
- In India, fruit decoction used for stomach problems. (4) Leaves and fruits used for liver problems.
- Poultice of leaves mixed with milk and butter used as liniment for sores, boils, insect bites, burns, and wound.
- In Assam, East Bengal, and Konkan, fruit considered cooling, laxative and aperient; used for treatment of asthma. (5)
- In Mizoram, India, the fruit cover cavity, even dried ones, are filled with water, which is kept for a few hours, and the water is drunk for stomach problems and ulcers. (7) Leaves used for treating inflammation and spasms; fruit used as expectorant, antiseptic, and remedy for cough and asthma. Boiled ripened fruit water drunk for stomach problems. (10)
Others
- Ecology: Used for butterfly gardening. Reported host plant for caterpillars of the brown clipper butterfly (Parthenos sylvia).

Studies
• Antimicrobial: Study evaluated the phytochemicals and antimicrobial activity of various solvent extracts (hexane, chloroform, acetone, methanol, and distilled water) of Zanonia indica. A methanol extract showed maximum inhibition zone against Streptococcus mutans (15.6 mm), Salmonella typhi (18.8 mm), and Aspergillus niger (15 mm). Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus, and Baciillus cereus were all resistant to the tested extracts. (see constituents above) (6)
• Antioxidant / Fruits: Study evaluated the powdered dried fruit extracts (hexane, chloroform, acetone, methanol, and distilled water) for phytochemicals and antioxidant properties. HPLC analysis of fruit extracts showed acetone and methanol extracts are rich in total alkaloids, total phenols, total flavonoids and total terpenes. DPPH. ABTS and FRAP assays showed antioxidant property. The methanol and acetone fruit extracts were rich in antioxidants. (8)

Availability
- Wild-crafted.

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Zanonia indica / KEW: Plants of the World Online
(2)
Cucurbitaceae:Zanonia indica / Co's Digital Flora of the Philippines
(3)
Zanonia / Wikipedia
(4)
Ethnobotanical usages of plants in western Mizoram / R Lalfakzuala, H Lalramnghinglova, H Kayang / Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 2007; 6(3): pp 486-493
(5)
Assessment of Indian medicinal plants for the treatment of asthma / Kuldip S Dogra, Sandeep Chauhan, Jeewan S Julal / Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 2015; 9(32): pp 851-862 / ISSN: 1996-0875 /
DOI: 10.5897/JMPR2015.5890
(6)
Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical evaluation and in vitro antimicrobial activity of Zanonia indica L. leaf extracts / S Madhura, HC Shrishail / Plnat Cell Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, 2021; 22(7-8): pp 14-26 / ISSN: 0972-2025
(7)
Ethno-medicinal practices among the Mizo ethnic group in Lunglei district, Mizoram / Julia Lalmuanpuii, Gabriel Rosangkima, Henry Lamin / Science Vision, 2013; 13(1) / pISSN: 0975-6175 / eISSN: 2229-6026
(8)
Phytochemical evaluation and antioxidant activity of Zanonia indica l. fruit extracts / S Madhura, H C Shrishail / International Journal of Botany Studies, 2021; 6(5): pp 67-74 / ISSN: 2455-541X
(9)
Elemental analysis of leaf and fruit powder of Zanonia indica L / Madhura S Shrishail / International Journal of Botany Studies, 2021; 6(6): pp 1525-1527 / ISSN: 2455-541X
(9)
Herbal Remedies Among The Mizo Traditional Healers And The Village Folks In Mizoram, India / Dr Lalrinnunga Hmar, Dr Lalawmkma Darlong, Mary Lawmzuali Darlong / Journal for Re Attach Therapy and Developmental Diversities, 2023;p 6(10S): pp 1842-1847 / eISSN: 2589-7799

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