Scientific Studies on Citrullus Colocynthis with Special Reference to Anti-hyperglycemic Activity

Citrullus colocynthis is a plant used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, one of the most prevalent endocrine disorder throughout the world with special reference in the Maghreb region and in the Middle East. The present study is based on laboratory experiments for pharmacognostic, physicochemical, phytochemical, elemental analysis, TLC (thin layer chromatography) fingerprinting, pharmacological & toxicological studies with special reference to anti-diabetic activity, along with an exhaustive scientific review on Citrullus colocynthis phytochemical and pharmacological activities described in literature. We investigated the anti-hyperglycaemic effect of aqueous extract of Citrullus colocynthis seeds administered intraperitoneally in normal Wistar rats and streptozotoc in diabetic rats. The toxicity of this extract was also evaluated using lethal dose 50 methods (LD50).