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Cheng X, Qin M, Chen R, Jia Y, Zhu Q, Chen G, Wang A, Ling B, Rong W. Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.: A Promising Pharmaceutical Resource for Multiple Diseases. Molecules 2023; 28:6221. [PMID: 37687049 PMCID: PMC10488440 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28176221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. (Cucurbitaceae) is widely distributed in the desert areas of the world. The fruit bodies of C. colocynthis are recognized for their wide range of nutraceutical potential, as well as medicinal and pharmaceutical uses. The plant has been reported for various uses, such as asthma, bronchitis, cancer, colic, common cold, cough, diabetes, dysentery, and jaundice. The fruit has been extensively studied for its biological activities, which include insecticide, antitumor, and antidiabetic effects. Numerous bioactive compounds have been reported in its fruit bodies, such as essential oils, fatty acids, glycosides, alkaloids, and flavonoids. Of these, flavonoids or caffeic acid derivatives are the constituents associated with the inhibition of fungal or bacterial growth, whereas eudesmane sesquiterpenes or sesquiterpene lactones are most active against insects, mites, and nematodes. In this review, the scientific evidence for the biological activity of C. colocynthis against insecticide, cytotoxic, and antidiabetic effects is summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Cheng
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (X.C.)
- Department of Pharmacy, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University & The First People’s Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng 224001, China
| | - Minni Qin
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (X.C.)
| | - Rongrong Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (X.C.)
| | - Yunxia Jia
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (X.C.)
| | - Qing Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (X.C.)
| | - Guangtong Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (X.C.)
| | - Andong Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (X.C.)
| | - Bai Ling
- Department of Pharmacy, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University & The First People’s Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng 224001, China
| | - Weiwei Rong
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (X.C.)
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Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad (Bitter Apple): An Overview of its Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Potential. SERBIAN JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.2478/sjecr-2021-0073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad is an important cucurbit plant, commonly distributed in the sandy areas of the world. In the Indian continent it is mainly found in the North West, the Punjab and in Central and southern India. The Citrullus colocynthis plant is usually known for its traditional uses as a remedy in the treatment of asthma, diabetes, common cold, leprosy, cough, bronchitis, joint pain, jaundice, cancer, toothache, mastitis, and in gastrointestinal disorders such as gastroenteritis, indigestion, dysentery, constipation, colic pain and other microbial infections. Phytochemicaly the compounds like glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic acids fatty acids, carbohydrates and essential oils were reported from the plant and the main components isolated from the Citrullus colocynthis plant are Cucurbitacins. The plant has been studied extensively for its wide range of pharmacological activities, which include anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory antilipidemic, and insecticide but the therapeutic potential for cardiovascular, gut, airways and many other diseases remain to be explored.
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Espinosa J, Lucerna A, Bassett R. A Bitter Experience-A Case Report of Bitter Apple (Citrullus colocynthis) Ingestion in a Child. Am J Emerg Med 2022; 60:225.e5-225.e6. [PMID: 35821084 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2022.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we present the case of a 4-year-old child who presented to the emergency department (ED) with bloody diarrhea. The causative agent was confirmed to be Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple), which had been given to the patient by his grandmother for constipation. Hemorrhagic colitis can be induced by Citrullus colocynthis. Treatment is essentially support. Hypoglycemia and transaminitis have been associated with Citrullus colocynthis ingestion. The case highlights that pediatric patients can be inadvertently exposed to herbal medications that can cause harm. It also highlights that certain herbal medications with toxic potential, such as Citrullus, can be seen in emergency departments that are geographically quite distant from the most common origins of the plant. To our knowledge, this is the first American pediatric case report of bitter apple induced hemorrhagic colitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Espinosa
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Rowan University SOM/Jefferson Stratford - Stratford, NJ, USA.
| | - Alan Lucerna
- Program Director, Emergency Medicine, Jefferson NJ/Rowan University SOM, Stratford USA
| | - Robert Bassett
- Philadelphia Poison Control Center/Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
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Barghamdi B, Ghorat F, Asadollahi K, Sayehmiri K, Peyghambari R, Abangah G. Therapeutic effects of Citrullus colocynthis fruit in patients with type II diabetes: A clinical trial study. JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND BIOALLIED SCIENCES 2016; 8:130-4. [PMID: 27134465 PMCID: PMC4832903 DOI: 10.4103/0975-7406.171702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Citrullus colocynthis plant was traditionally used for the treatment of diabetes in Sabzevar city, Iran. This study aimed to investigate the effects of C. colocythis on fasting blood sugar (FBS) and HbA1c in patients with type II diabetes. Materials and Methods: Totally 70 patients with type II diabetes attending the diabetes clinic in Sabzevar city were investigated. Patients were divided into two groups of intervention and placebo randomly and were studied for 2 months. Mean serum level of FBS and HbA1c was compared within and between groups at the end of the study. Data were analyzed using student and paired t-tests via SPSS software version 16. Results: A significant difference was revealed between before and after intervention for HbA1c and FBS levels in the intervention group (P = 0.01 and P = 0.04, respectively). The difference between before and after intervention for FBS and HbA1c levels in the placebo group were not significant (P = 0.8, P = 0.68 respectively). This study showed a negative relationship between either the mean ± standard deviation serum level of FBS or HbA1c and body mass index in the treatment group significantly (P = 0.03, 0.008, respectively). The present study did not identify any side effects during the study period among the treatment group. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, application of 125 mg C. colocynthis once per day for 2 months can lead to considerable decrease in the mean levels of HbA1c and FBS among the patients with type II diabetes without any side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Batol Barghamdi
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Ghorat
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Traditional Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Khairollah Asadollahi
- Department of Epidemiology, Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran; The Researches Center of Prevention for Psychosocial Injuries, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Kourosh Sayehmiri
- The Researches Center of Prevention for Psychosocial Injuries, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Robab Peyghambari
- Department of Social Medicine, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
| | - Ghobad Abangah
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
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Hussain AI, Rathore HA, Sattar MZA, Chatha SAS, Sarker SD, Gilani AH. Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad (bitter apple fruit): a review of its phytochemistry, pharmacology, traditional uses and nutritional potential. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2014; 155:54-66. [PMID: 24936768 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2013] [Revised: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad is a valuable cucurbit plant, widely distributed in the desert areas of the world. Citrullus colocynthis fruits are usually recognized for its wide range of medicinal uses as well as pharmaceutical and nutraceutical potential. This review aims to appraise the published information on the ethnobotanical knowledge, phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology, nutraceutical potential and safety studies of Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple) fruit, with critical analysis on the gaps and potential for future studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS A literature survey was performed by searching the scientific databases including PubMed, Scopus, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Web of Science, ACS as well as published books. RESULTS The plant has been reported to possess a wide range of traditional medicinal uses including in diabetes, leprosy, common cold, cough, asthma, bronchitis, jaundice, joint pain, cancer, toothache, wound, mastitis, and in gastrointestinal disorders such as indigestion, constipation, dysentery, gastroenteritis, colic pain and different microbial infections. Several bioactive chemical constituents from fruits were recorded, such as, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, fatty acids and essential oils. The isolation and identification of curcurbitacins A, B, C, D, E, I, J, K, and L and Colocynthosides A, and B were also reported. The fruit of Citrullus colocynthis has been studied extensively for its wide range of biological activities, which include antioxidant, cytotoxic, antidiabetic, antilipidemic, insecticide, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. The plant was also shown to be rich in nutritional value with high protein contents and important minerals as well as edible quality of seed oil. CONCLUSION It is evident from the literature that Citrullus colocynthis possesses a wide range of medicinal uses and has been well studied for its antidiabetic, anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities, while its therapeutic potential for gut, airways and cardiovascular disorders remains to be explored. Critical analysis revealed that the plant has the huge potential for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical application, with some indications for the presence of synergistic and /or side effects neutralizing combinations of activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah I Hussain
- Department of Applied Chemistry & Biochemistry, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia.
| | - Hassaan A Rathore
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Munavvar Z A Sattar
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Shahzad A S Chatha
- Department of Applied Chemistry & Biochemistry, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Satyajit D Sarker
- Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, James Parsons Building, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, England, UK
| | - Anwar H Gilani
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi 74800, Pakistan; Department of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, PO Box 1871, Mekelle, Ethiopia..
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Nessa F, Khan SA. Evaluation of antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of different solvent extracts of leaves of Citrullus colocynthis. Pharmacognosy Res 2014; 6:218-26. [PMID: 25002802 PMCID: PMC4080502 DOI: 10.4103/0974-8490.132599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2013] [Revised: 04/05/2013] [Accepted: 05/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Citrullus colocynthis is a folk medicinal plan of United Arab Emirates. Several studies on this plant reported and focused on the biological and toxicological profile of fruits pulp. The present study focused on the antioxidant potency of leaf extract of this plant. AIM To evaluate the antioxidant and xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activities of C. colocynthis by chemical method. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four different solvent extracts (methanol-CCM, methanol: water (1:1)-CCMW, chloroform-CCC and hexane-CCH) of leaves of C. colocynthis were investigated for their free radical scavenging activity using DPPH radical as a substrate, lipid peroxidation (LPO) inhibitory activity using a model system consisting of β-carotene-linoleic acid, superoxide radical scavenging activity (enzymatically/nonenzymatically) and XO inhibitory activity. A dose response curve was plotted for determining SC50 and IC50 values for expressing the results of free radical scavenging activity and XO inhibitory activities respectively. RESULTS The high polyphenolic content of CCM and CCMW extract showed highest antioxidant activity irrespective the method used for this investigation. The overall results decreased in the order of: CCM > CCMW > CCC > CCH. CCH extract was inactive towards chemically generated superoxide radical and poor DPPH radical scavengers. The results of LPO inhibitory activities of leaves extract (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/mL) also decreased in the order of: CCM > CCMW > CCC > CCH. Overall 1.0 mg/mL leaves extract showed highest antioxidant potency amongst the studied concentration. CONCLUSION CCMW and CCM extract of C. colocynthis exhibited promising antioxidants and XO inhibitory activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fazilatun Nessa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Natural Products, Dubai Pharmacy College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Saeed A. Khan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Natural Products, Dubai Pharmacy College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Mardani S, Nasri H, Hajian S, Ahmadi A, Kazemi R, Rafieian-Kopaei M. Impact of Momordica charantia extract on kidney function and structure in mice. J Nephropathol 2014; 3:35-40. [PMID: 24644542 DOI: 10.12860/jnp.2014.08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2013] [Accepted: 12/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bitter Melon (BM) is known for its hypoglycemic effect and is commonly used in populations. OBJECTIVES This study examined the effects and safety of bitter melon fruit in laboratory mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this experimental study 70 male mice (25-30 gr) were randomly divided into 7 groups. The mice were injected intraperitoneally with single doses of 0, 100, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg/kg and multiple doses 500 mg/kg daily for 7 days. The mice were then observed for 72 hours before sacrificing. Immediately kidneys were taken out for histological examinations. Tubular cell vacuolization and flattening as well as hyaline casts, debris and dilatation of tubular lumen were the morphologic lesions which were assessed with scores from 0 to 4, while zero score addressed normal renal tissue. Serum samples were assayed for kidney function (creatinine; Cr and Blood Urea Nitrogen; BUN). Blood and bitter melon antioxidant activities were measured, too. Data were analyzed with Stata software (Stata Corp. 2011. Stata Statistical Software: Release 12. College Station, TX: Stata Corp LP)using ANOVA and Bonferroni tests. RESULTS All single dose groups showed normal behavior after the dosing and no statistical changes were observed in blood parameters (p>0.05). Histological examinations revealed normal organ structures, however, the group treated for 7 days showed statistically a significant change in BUN (p=0.002) and a borderline significance in Cr (p=0.051). CONCLUSIONS Administration of up to 4000 mg/kg did not have any effect on the mice kidney function and histology, however chronic administration were nephrotoxic. More studies with different dosage regimens are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Mardani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Hamid Nasri
- Department of Nephrology, Division of Nephropathology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Shabnam Hajian
- Medical Plants Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Ali Ahmadi
- Department of Epidemiology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reyhane Kazemi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
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Javadzadeh HR, Davoudi A, Davoudi F, Valizadegan G, Goodarzi H, Mahmoodi S, Ghane MR, Faraji M. Citrullus colocynthis as the Cause of Acute Rectorrhagia. Case Rep Emerg Med 2013; 2013:652192. [PMID: 23819072 PMCID: PMC3683433 DOI: 10.1155/2013/652192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction. Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. is a commonly used medicinal plant especially as a hypoglycemic agent. Case Presentation. Four patients with colocynth intoxication are presented. The main clinical feature was acute rectorrhagia preceeded by mucosal diarrhea with tenesmus, which gradually progressed to bloody diarrhea and overt rectorrhagia within 3 to 4 hours. The only colonoscopic observation was mucosal erosion which was completely resolved in follow-up colonoscopy after 14 days. Conclusion. The membranolytic activity of some C. colocynthis ingredients is responsible for the intestinal damage. Patients and herbalists should be acquainted with the proper use and side effects of the herb. Clinicians should also be aware of C. colocynthis as a probable cause of lower GI bleeding in patients with no other suggestive history, especially diabetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Reza Javadzadeh
- Emergency Medicine Department, Baghiyatallah Hospital, Baghiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Mulla Sadra, Vanak, Tehran 14758 15943, Iran
| | - Amir Davoudi
- Emergency Medicine Department, Baghiyatallah Hospital, Baghiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Mulla Sadra, Vanak, Tehran 14758 15943, Iran
| | - Farnoush Davoudi
- Community and Preventive Medicine Department, Tehran University of Medical Science, Iran
| | - Ghasem Valizadegan
- Gastroenterology Department, Bagheyatallah Medical Student University, Iran
| | - Hasan Goodarzi
- Emergency Medicine Department, Baghiyatallah Hospital, Baghiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Mulla Sadra, Vanak, Tehran 14758 15943, Iran
| | - Sadrollah Mahmoodi
- Emergency Medicine Department, Baghiyatallah Hospital, Baghiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Mulla Sadra, Vanak, Tehran 14758 15943, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Ghane
- Emergency Medicine Department, Baghiyatallah Hospital, Baghiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Mulla Sadra, Vanak, Tehran 14758 15943, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Faraji
- Emergency Medicine Department, Baghiyatallah Hospital, Baghiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Mulla Sadra, Vanak, Tehran 14758 15943, Iran
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Khoshvaghti A, Hamidi AR. Comparative effects of oral administration of Citrullus colocynthis and insulin injection on serum biochemical parameters of alloxan-induced diabetic dogs. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s00580-011-1293-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Haffor ASA. Effect of Commiphora molmol on leukocytes proliferation in relation to histological alterations before and during healing from injury. Saudi J Biol Sci 2010; 17:139-46. [PMID: 23961070 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2010.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2009] [Accepted: 06/22/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Myrrh, Commiphora molmol has been used as anti-inflammatory and wound healing commercial product. Leukocyte count had been reliable indicator for clinicians to monitor progress of healing for their patients. We hypothesized that myrrh supplement participate in the activation of leukocyte proliferation pathway prior and post skin injury and gastric ulcer. The purpose of the present study was to examine long-term effect of myrrh on leukocytes proliferation before injury and during different stages of healing. Results showed that all types of leukocytes were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the myrrh-treated groups before and during healing. The pretreatment with myrrh offered a time-dependent rise in leukocytes proliferation. Microscopic examination of blood smear from myrrh-treated rats with skin injury, showed an elevated count of middle-sized lymphocytes and neutrophils that were characterized with well-defined nuclear lobules and rich-granules cytoplasm. Furthermore, the microscopic examinations of the spleen and lymph nodes of myrrh-treated rats with skin injury, showed an increased thickness of lymphatic sheath around the arterioles in the white pulp that was associated with high density of the medium-sized lymphocytes in the secondary lymphoid follicles in the lymph nodes with engorged sinusoids. As myrrh enhanced leukocytes proliferation before injury, it can be concluded that myrrh posse's antigenic-driven responses and that indicated some foreignness or toxicity of some constituents of myrrh. Because myrrh helped to maintain the relative rise of leukocytes counts throughout healing period and that implied it activated late steps of both proliferation and differentiation pathways for all types of leukocytes during effective phase of the specific immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Al-Said A Haffor
- Department of Radiological Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Kharj, Saudi Arabia
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Huseini HF, Darvishzadeh F, Heshmat R, Jafariazar Z, Raza M, Larijani B. The clinical investigation ofcitrullus colocynthis(L.) schrad fruit in treatment of Type II diabetic patients: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytother Res 2009; 23:1186-9. [DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Barth A, Müller D, Dürrling K. In vitro investigation of a standardized dried extract of Citrullus colocynthis on liver toxicity in adult rats. EXPERIMENTAL AND TOXICOLOGIC PATHOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE GESELLSCHAFT FUR TOXIKOLOGISCHE PATHOLOGIE 2002; 54:223-30. [PMID: 12484560 DOI: 10.1078/0940-2993-00252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A standardized extract of Citrullus colocynthis used as an oral natural laxative in folk medicine was tested for its influence on liver function parameters in vitro. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) dependent production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under the influence of Citrullus colocynthis extract was investigated by means of stimulated lipid peroxidation (LPO), H2O2 formation and amplified chemiluminescence in rat liver microsomes. In rat liver 9000 x g supernatants 4 monooxygenase reactions mediated by different CYP forms were measured. Putative hepatotoxic effects of Citrullus colocynthis extract were measured by means of potassium and GSH concentrations in and LDH leakage from precision-cut rat liver slices. For possible hepatoprotective effects the influence of the extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced changes of these parameters was investigated. Citrullus colocynthis extract in concentrations higher than 10 microg/ml incubation mixture proved to inhibit lipid peroxidation and ROS-production as well as CYP1A-, 2B- and 3A-dependent reactions with typical substrates. In contrast, H2O2 production was not reduced under the influence of the extract, a slight but significant increase was seen. Citrullus colocynthis extract was found to be free of hepatotoxic effects in concentrations up to 100 microg/ml incubation mixture when liver slices were incubated in William's medium E for 22 hours. All viability parameters used were not influenced by the extract of Citrullus colocynthis. Carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity could not be prevented or alleviated. Moreover, the damage was sometimes enhanced by higher extract concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Barth
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany.
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Abdel-Hassan IA, Abdel-Barry JA, Tariq Mohammeda S. The hypoglycaemic and antihyperglycaemic effect of citrullus colocynthis fruit aqueous extract in normal and alloxan diabetic rabbits. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2000; 71:325-330. [PMID: 10904181 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-8741(99)00215-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Effects of the aqueous, glycosidic, alkaloidal and saponin extracts of the rind of Citrullus colocynthis on the plasma glucose levels were investigated in normal rabbits, while the effects of saponin extract on the fasting plasma glucose levels were studied in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits. In normal rabbits, oral administration of aqueous extract (300 mg/kg) produced significant reduction in plasma glucose after 1 h and highly significant after 2,3 and 6 h. Phytochemical screening revealed that the rind of C. colocynthis and its aqueous extract contains tertiary and quaternary alkaloids, glycoside and saponin components. The hypoglycaemic effects of these components given orally at a dose (50 mg/kg) were studied in normoglycaemic rabbits. Result showed that the alkaloidal extract did not significantly lower the blood glucose levels from 132 mg/100 ml at 0 h to 120 mg/100 ml after 6 h, while the glycosidic extract significantly lowered the fasting glucose levels after 2 and 3 h and highly significant after 6 h. The effect was more pronounced with saponin extract, the saponin significantly lowered the fasting glucose levels after 1 and 2 h and highly significant (P<0.001) after 3 and 6 h. Graded doses (10, 15 and 20 mg/kg) of saponin extract, when given orally to alloxan diabetic rabbits, produced a significant reduction of plasma glucose concentration. These results suggest that the aqueous extract of the rind of C. colocynthis possesses a hypoglycaemic effect and its hypoglycaemic action could be attributed for more extent to the presence of saponin in addition to the presence of glycosidic components.
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Affiliation(s)
- I A Abdel-Hassan
- Chemistry Department, College of Science, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq
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