Comprehensive Review of Phytochemistry and Bioactivities of Citrullus Colocynthis (L.) Schrad

Citrullus colocynthis is a restorative plant which has been used in traditional medicinal systems. Extracts in different solvents are found to possess antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, analgesic, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, organooprotective, antialopecial and cytotoxic activities. Phytochemistry of the plant depicts that carbohydrates, tannins, proteins and separate amino acids, phenolic compounds, steroids, alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides and cucurbitacins A, B, C, D, E, J, L are present in different extracts. Some studies reveal the toxic effects of dosage above a certain limit. Unripe fruit is abortifacient. Study of individual phytochemicals isolated from crude extracts has been conducted for compounds cucurbitacins E and I. Other phytochemicals may also possess bioactivity potential worth of therapeutic use as novel drugs.