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Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.

Summary
Cowpea, commonly known as Lobiya, belonging to the family Fabaceae, is one of the most widely used legumes in the tropical countries with high protein content. Presence of bioactive compounds like α-Tocopherol, Caffeic acid, α-Carotene, β-Carotene, Catechin 7-O-glucoside, Vanillic acid, Kaempferol-3-O-diglucoside, and Lycopene etc. are noted. The cowpea extracts down regulates pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-8, TNF-α, VCAM-1), transcription factor NF-κB. Additionally, cowpeas are also rich in threonine which assists boosting of immune system by promoting the antibodies.

Mode of Consumption : Fried and boiled
Plant Details Agro-climatic Zone Vernacular Names Pictures
Scientific Name: Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.
Family: Fabaceae Lindl.
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fabales
Genus: Vigna Savi.
Fruiting Season: July-January
Parts: Fruit
  • The Eastern Coastal Region
  • The North-Eastern Hill Region
  • The Deccan Interior Region & The Western Coastal Region
  • The Maharashtra Plateau Region & The Western Coastal Region
  • The Deccan Interior Region & The Eastern Coastal Region
  • The Lower Ganga Plain Region
 Andhra Pradesh : Alasandalu, Kaaraamanulu
Assam : Boodee, Dang Boodee
Karnataka : Alasabde, Alasundi
Maharashtra : Alasunda, Chavali
Manipur : Hawai asangbi, Pong hawai
Mizoram : Be-hlawi
Tamil Nadu : Kaattu ulundu, Karamani
West bengal : Ghangra

Fruit bundles


Plant
Compound/Extract Activity Mode of Action Marker/References
Cowpea extractAnti-inflammatoryThe cowpea extracts down regulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-8, TNF-α, VCAM-1), transcription factor NF-κB and modulated microRNA-126.(IL-8, TNF-α, VCAM-1, and NF-κB[2]
Major Class Metabolites (Content of bioactives: mg/100g Fresh Weight)
AlkaloidCaffeine: , Theobromine: [6]
Amino AcidCysteine: 840-1080 mg/100g, Histidine: 1850-2470 mg/100g, Isoleucine: 4170-5460 mg/100g, Leucine: 6450-8500 mg/100g, Lysine: 7300-8740 mg/100g, Methionine: 1280-2060 mg/100g, Threonine: 3890-5120 mg/100g, Tryptophan: 1000-1330 mg/100g[1]
Carboxylic AcidCaffeic acid: 0.1 mg/100g, cis-Ferulic acid: 0.12 mg/100g, Gallic acid: 0.02 mg/100g, p-Hydroxybenzoic acid: 0.45 mg/100g, Protocatechuic acid: 0.36 mg/100g, trans-Ferulic acid: 0.62 mg/100g, Vanillic acid: 0.25 mg/100g[3]
CarotenoidLutein: , Lycopene: , Zeaxanthin: , α- Carotene: 0.055 mg/100g, β- Carotene: 0.794 mg/100g, β-Cryptoxanthin: [6]
Cinnamic acid derivativetrans-Feruloylaldaric acid: 2.25 mg/100g, trans-Feruloyl-methylaldaric acid: 0.61 mg/100g, trans-p-Coumaric acid: 0.09-0.36 mg/100g, trans-p-Coumaroylaldaric acid: 1.22 mg/100g[3]
Flavonoid Catechin: 1.7-29.7 mg/100g, Kaempferol-3-O-diglucoside: 3.87 mg/100g[3]
FlavonolCatechin 7-O-glucoside: 77-255.3 mg/100g, Quercetin 3-O-digalactoside: 0.11-4.85 mg/100g, Quercetin 3-O-diglucoside: 1.61-334 mg/100g, Quercetin 3-O-galactosylglucoside: 1.25-31.4 mg/100g, Quercetin 3-O-glucoside: 0.09-1.53 mg/100g[3]
Phenolic compoundcis-p-Coumaric acid: 0.01 mg/100g[3]
PhenolsProtocatechuic aldehyde: [3]
VitaminPhylloquinone: 0.0315 mg/100g, α-Tocopherol: [6]
Effect Observation DOI
Disease Formulation Reference Author TKDL
Beneficial for throat, Cardio-tonic, oral cavity, RheumatismSaptamushtikayushaSharangadhara SamhitaWritten by Sharangadhara charya, Translated by Smt. Shailaja SrivastavaAyurveda
Indigestion, Ascites, Enlargement of spleen, Pain, in Chest, TenesmusPirandai VadagamTherayar SekarappaTherayarSiddha
All types of Colic, Pleurodynia and intercostal neuralgia, Pain, in Hand, Leg, Abscess, Scrofula/Cervical lymphadenitis, Leprosy and other dermatoses, Abscess, Leprosy and other dermatoses, Scabies, Itch, Alopecia, Urticaria/Allergic rashes, Cancer/ Carcinoma, Cancer/ Carcinoma, or Scrotum, Non-healing ulcer, Syphilis, Cervical erosion with ulcer, Ulcer/Wound, Gangrenous stomatitis/Cancrum oris, Diabetic furuncle, Perineal fistulas, Piles/Haemorrhoids.Rasaganthi MezhuguPulippani Vaithyam - 500.Written by Pulippani; Edited by S.P.RamachandhiranSiddha
Information from Wealth of India Reference
  • The tender pods are consumed as vegetable.
  • It contains vitamin C 14mg/100g.
 CSIR(1976).The Wealth of India, Raw materials,Vol.-X ,P.497-510, New Delhi, India
4.2, 4.2.1, 4.2.1.1, 4.2.1.2, 4.2.1.3, 4.2.2.8
    CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat-6, Assam, India
    CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur-61,Himachal Pradesh, India