Trichosanthes kirilowii Trichosanthin

Bhatia, N., McDonald, K. A., Jackman, A. P., and Dandekar, A. M, A simplified procedure for the purification of trichosanthin (a type 1 ribosome inactivating protein) from Trichosanthes kirilowii root tubers, Prot. Purif. Expression, 7, 143, 1996. 

Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. China Trichosanthin, polysaccharides, saponin, organic acids, resin, protein (TAP29).33 This herb is toxic. Treat pectoris and acute mastitis. Antitussive, as an expectorant, anti-HIV activity. 

Similar toxic RIPs are found in other plants. Examples are trichosanthin, a type I toxin from the root tubers of Trichosanthes kirilowii (Cucurbitaceae), abrin, a type II toxin from the small brightly coloured red and black jequirity seeds (Abrus precatorius Leguminosae/Fabaceae), and viscumin, a type II toxin from the leaf and stems of mistletoe (Viscum album, Loranthaceae). 

A series of proteins, i.e., a-trichosanthin (a-TCS) isolated from the root tubers of Trichosanthes kirilowii, MAP30 isolated from the seeds and fruits of the bitter melon Momordica charantia, GAP31 from Euphorbiaceae himalaya seeds (Gelonium multiflorum), and DAP30 and DAP32 from carnation leaves (Dianthus caryophyllus), have been described to inhibit HIV infection,... 

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