Therapeutic Potential and Pharmaceutical Applications of Cucurbita

Rishabha       Malviya; Akanksha       Sharma
Abstract

Aim: The present review aims to discuss the therapeutic potential and pharmaceutical applications of the Cucurbita plant.
Methods: Various search engines such as ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, Google Patents, etc. were used for the literature survey.
Discussion: During the literature survey, it was observed that different parts of the Cucurbita species have significant therapeutic effects against disease conditions. They have antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antiulcer, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, etc., activities. Studies also showed that various pharmaceutical formulations have been prepared for the delivery of therapeutic active ingredients of cucurbits. A list of patents based on pharmaceutical formulations and therapeutic activity has also been included in the manuscript.
Conclusion: It can be concluded from the findings that Cucurbita has significant therapeutic potential, clinical effects and can be used to treat various diseases.
Keywords: Herbal therapeutics, Cucurbita species, pharmaceutical application, therapeutic potential, drug delivery, plant extract.
Graphical Abstract

[1] 
Kumar S, Paul S, Walia YK, Kumar A, Singhal P. Therapeutic potential of medicinal plants: a review. J Biol Chem Chron  2015; 1(1): 46-54.
[2] 
Gomes A, Ghosh S, Sengupta J, Datta P, Gomes A. Herbonanoceuticals: a new step towards herbal therapeutics. Med Aromat Plants  2014; 3(3): 1-9.
[3] 
Krimer-Malesevic V, Madarev-Popovic S, Vastag Z, Radulovic L, Pericin D. Phenolic acids in pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) seeds. In: In: Nuts and Seeds in Health and Disease Prevention The Netherlands Elsevier.   2011; pp. 925-32.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-375688-6.10109-4] 
[4] 
Cutler HC, Whitaker TW. History and distribution of the cultivated cucurbits in the americas. Am Antiq  1961; 26(04): 469-85.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/278735] 
[5] 
Castellanos-Morales G, Ruiz-Mondragón KY, Hernández-Rosales HS, et al. Tracing back the origin of pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo ssp. pepo L.) in Mexico. Proc Biol Sci  2019; 286(1908): 20191440.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2019.1440] [PMID: 31409251] 
[6] 
Hurd PD Jr, Linsley EG, Whitaker TW. Squash and gourd bees (Peponapis, Xenoglossa) and the origin of the cultivated Cucurbita. Evolution  1971; 25(1): 218-34.
[PMID: 28562933] 
[7] 
Sanjur OI, Piperno DR, Andres TC, Wessel-Beaver L. Phylogenetic relationships among domesticated and wild species of Cucurbita (Cucurbitaceae) inferred from a mitochondrial gene: implications for crop plant evolution and areas of origin. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA  2002; 99(1): 535-40.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.012577299] [PMID: 11782554] 
[8] 
Stevenson DG, Eller FJ, Wang L, Jane JL, Wang T, Inglett GE. Oil and tocopherol content and composition of pumpkin seed oil in 12 cultivars. J Agric Food Chem  2007; 55(10): 4005-13.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jf0706979] [PMID: 17439238] 
[9] 
Sabudak T. Fatty acid composition of seed and leaf oils of pumpkin, walnut, almond, maize, sunflower and melon. Chem Nat Compd  2007; 43(4): 465-7.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10600-007-0163-5] 
[10] 
Kujawska M, Pieroni A. Plants used as food and medicine by Polish migrants in Misiones, Argentina. Ecol Food Nutr  2015; 54(3): 255-79.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03670244.2014.983498] [PMID: 25602720] 
[11] 
Vijayakumar S, Morvin Yabesh JE, Prabhu S, Manikandan R, Muralidharan B. Quantitative ethnomedicinal study of plants used in the Nelliyampathy hills of Kerala, India. J Ethnopharmacol  2015; 161: 238-54.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.12.006] [PMID: 25529616] 
[12] 
Nayak D, Ashe S, Rauta PR, Nayak B. Assessment of antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-osteosarcoma potential of four traditionally used Indian medicinal plants. J Appl Biomed  2017; 15(2): 119-32.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jab.2016.10.005] 
[13] 
Dubey A, Mishra N, Singh N. Antimicrobial activity of some selected vegetables 2010; 1(3): 994-9.
[14] 
Grzybek M, Kukula-Koch W, Strachecka A, et al. Evaluation of anthelmintic activity and composition of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) seed extracts—in vitro and in vivo studies. Int J Mol Sci  2016; 17(9): 1-21.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms17091456] [PMID: 27598135] 
[15] 
Sood A, Kaur P, Gupta R. Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial assay of various seeds extract of Cucurbitaceae family. Int J Appl Biol Pharm  2012; 3(3): 401-9.
[16] 
Chonoko UG, Rufai AB. Phytochemical screening and antibacterial activity of Cucurbita pepo (Pumpkin) against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi. Bayero J Pure Appl Sci  2011; 4(1): 145-7.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bajopas.v4i1.30] 
[17] 
AL-Ghazal AT. Evaluation of antibacterial effect of Cucurbita pepo (yakten) extracts on multi-antibiotic resistance bacterial strains isolated from human urinary tract infections. Rafidain J Sci  2012; 23(2E): 1-7.
[18] 
Jasim AA, Alwan NA, Altimimi WH, Kareem HK. Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of flavonoids extract from Cucurbita pepo leaves. Basra J Vet Res  2010; 9(1): 10-7.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.33762/bvetr.2010.55063] 
[19] 
Dar AH, Sofi SA, Rafiq S. Pumpkin the functional and therapeutic ingredient: a review. Int J Food Sci Nutr  2017; 2: 165-70.
[20] 
EI-Aziz. A.B.; EI-Kalek, H.A.; City, N. Antimicrobial proteins and oil seeds from pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata). Nat Sci  2011; 9(3): 105-19.
[21] 
Elhadi IM, Koko WS, Dahab MM, El-Imam YM, El Mageed MA. Antigiardial activity of some Cucurbita species and Lagenariasiceraria. Journal of Forest Products & Industries  2013; 2(4): 43-7.
[22] 
Geetha S, Sandhya DD, Sowmya LK. Antimicrobial activity of selected vegetable peels against water borne pathogens. Int J Adv Pharm Biol Chem  2014; 3: 937-40.
[23] 
Kabbashi AS, Koko WS, Mohammed SE, et al. In vitro amoebicidal, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the plants Adansoniadigitata and Cucurbit maxima. Adv Med Plant Res  2014; 2(3): 50-7.
[24] 
Paris HS. Genetic resources of pumpkins and squash, Cucurbita spp.Genetics and genomics of CucurbitaceaeSpringer.   2016; pp. 111-54.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/7397_2016_3] 
[25] 
Borhade S. Extraction and characterisation of pumpkin (Cucurbita Mixta) seed oil. Life Sci Leafl  2012; 7: 45-9.
[26] 
Xia T, Wang Q. Antihyperglycemic effect of Cucurbita ficifolia fruit extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Fitoterapia  2006; 77(7-8): 530-3.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2006.06.008] [PMID: 16905276] 
[27] 
Muruganantham N, Solomon S, Senthamilselvi MM. Antimicrobial activity of Cucurbita maxima flowers (Pumpkin). J Pharmacogn Phytochem  2016; 5(1): 15-8.
[28] 
Jayaprakasam B, Seeram NP, Nair MG. Anticancer and antiinflammatory activities of cucurbitacins from Cucurbita andreana. Cancer Lett  2003; 189(1): 11-6.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3835(02)00497-4] [PMID: 12445672] 
[29] 
Attard E, Cuschieri A, Scicluna-Spiteri A, Brincat MP. The effects of cucurbitacin E on two lymphocyte models. Pharm Biol  2004; 42(2): 170-5.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13880200490512124] 
[30] 
Mahmoodpoor A, Medghalchi M, Nazemiyeh H, Asgharian P, Shadvar K, Hamishehkar H. Effect of Cucurbita maxima on control of blood glucose in diabetic critically ill patients. Adv Pharm Bull  2018; 8(2): 347-51.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.15171/apb.2018.040] [PMID: 30023337] 
[31] 
Shim B, Jeong H, Lee S, Hwang S, Moon B, Storni C. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial of a product containing pumpkin seed extract and soy germ extract to improve overactive bladder-related voiding dysfunction and quality of life. J Funct Foods  2014; 8: 111-7.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2014.03.010] 
[32] 
Bidkar JS, Ghanwat DD, Bhujbal MD, Dama GY. Anti-hyperlipidemic activity of Cucumis melo fruit peel extracts in high cholesterol diet induced hyperlipidemia in rats. J Complement Integr Med  2012; 9(1): 22.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/1553-3840.1580] [PMID: 23023565] 
[33] 
Yesilada E, Tanaka S, Sezik E, Tabata M. Isolation of an anti-inflammatory principle from the fruit juice of Ecballium elaterium. J Nat Prod  1988; 51(3): 504-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/np50057a008] [PMID: 3404148] 
[34] 
Xanthopoulou MN, Nomikos T, Fragopoulou E, Antonopoulou S. Antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibitory activities of pumpkin seed extracts. Food Res Int  2009; 142: 641-6.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2009.02.003] 
[35] 
Elisha EE, Twaij HAA, Ali NM, Tarish JH, Al-Omari MM, Karim S. The anthelmintic activity of some Iraqi plants of the Cucurbitaceae. Int J Crude Drug Res  1987; 25(3): 153-7.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/13880208709060920] 
[36] 
Patel R, Mahobia N, Upwar N, Waseem N, Talaviya H, Patel Z. Analgesic and antipyretic activities of Momordica charantia Linn. fruits. J Adv Pharm Technol Res  2010; 1(4): 415-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0110-5558.76441] [PMID: 22247882] 
[37] 
Nkosi CZ, Opoku AR, Terblanche SE. In Vitro antioxidative activity of pumpkin seed (Cucurbita pepo) protein isolate and its in vivo effect on alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase in acetaminophen-induced liver injury in low protein fed rats. Phytother Res  2006; 20(9): 780-3.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1958] [PMID: 16807884] 
[38] 
Choi H, Eo H, Park K, et al. A water-soluble extract from Cucurbita moschata shows anti-obesity effects by controlling lipid metabolism in a high fat diet-induced obesity mouse model. Biochem Biophys Res Commun  2007; 359(3): 419-25.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.05.107] [PMID: 17548058] 
[39] 
Gill NS, Bali M. Type triterpenoid from the seeds of Cucurbita pepo. Res J Phytochem  2011; 5: 70-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3923/rjphyto.2011.70.79] 
[40] 
Puri M, Kaur I, Perugini MA, Gupta RC. Ribosome-inactivating proteins: current status and biomedical applications. Drug Discov Today  2012; 17(13-14): 774-83.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2012.03.007] [PMID: 22484096] 
[41] 
Rajasree RS, Sibi PI, Francis F, William H. Phytochemicals of Cucurbitaceae family—A review. Int J Pharmacogn Phytochem Res  2016; 8(1): 113-23.
[42] 
Chung KT, Wong TY, Wei CI, Huang YW, Lin Y. Tannins and human health: a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr  1998; 38(6): 421-64.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10408699891274273] [PMID: 9759559] 
[43] 
Curtis JR, Westfall AO, Allison J, et al. Population-based assessment of adverse events associated with long-term glucocorticoid use. Arthritis Rheum  2006; 55(3): 420-6.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/art.21984] [PMID: 16739208] 
[44] 
Assouly P. Hair Loss Associated With Cucurbit Poisoning. JAMA Dermatol  2018; 154(5): 617-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.6128] [PMID: 29590275] 
[45] 
Jezierny D, Mosenthin R, Bauer E. The use of grain legumes as a protein source in pig nutrition: a review. Anim Feed Sci Technol  2010; 157(3–4): 111-28.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2010.03.001] 
[46] 
Sakka D, Karantonis HC. In vitro health beneficial activities of Pumpkin seeds from Cucurbita moschata cultivated in Lemnos. Int J Food Stud  2015; 4: 221-37.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.7455/ijfs/4.2.2015.a10] 
[47] 
Schnitzer E, Pinchuk I, Bor A, Fainaru M, Samuni AM, Lichtenberg D. Lipid oxidation in unfractionated serum and plasma. Chem Phys Lipids  1998; 92(2): 151-70.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0009-3084(98)00021-8] [PMID: 9682469] 
[48] 
Vinholes J, Grosso C, Andrade PB. GilIzquierdo, A.; Valentao, P.; de Pinho, P.G.; Ferreres, F. In vitro studies to assess the antidiabetic, anti-cholinesterase and antioxidant potential of Spergularia rubra. Food Chem  2011; 129: 454-62.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.04.098] [PMID: 30634251] 
[49] 
Boaduo NK, Katerere D, Eloff JN, Naidoo V. Evaluation of six plant species used traditionally in the treatment and control of diabetes mellitus in South Africa using in vitro methods. Pharm Biol  2014; 52(6): 756-61.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/13880209.2013.869828] [PMID: 24559378] 
[50] 
Damiano R, Cai T, Fornara P, Franzese CA, Leonardi R, Mirone V. The role of Cucurbita pepo in the management of patients affected by lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia: a narrative review. Arch Ital Urol Androl  2016; 88(2): 136-43.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2016.2.136] [PMID: 27377091] 
[51] 
Morittu VM, Pero ME, Musco N, et al. Potential beneficial and/or adverse effects of Capsicum annuum L. (cv. Fiesta) at two stage of ripening in CD-1 mice. Nat Prod Res  2018; 1-5.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2018.1525371] [PMID: 30470130] 
[52] 
Lombardi P, Musco N, Cutrignelli MI, et al. The association of aloe and b-carotene supplementation improves oxidative stress and inflammatory state in pregnant buffalo cows. Buffalo Bull  2017; 36: 497-503.
[53] 
Bahramsoltani R, Farzaei MH, Abdolghaffari AH, et al. Evaluation of phytochemicals, antioxidant and burn wound healing activities of Cucurbita moschata Duchesne fruit peel. Iran J Basic Med Sci  2017; 20(7): 798-805.
[PMID: 28852445] 
[54] 
Yenda B, Rao BV, Rao BG. In Vitro Antioxidant Activity Studies on Leaves of Cucurbita maxima. Int J Adv Res Sci Technol  2015; 4: 241-4.
[55] 
Saha P, Mazumder UK, Haldar PK. In Vitro antioxidant activity of Cucurbita maxima aerial parts. Free Radic Antioxid  2011; 1: 42-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.5530/ax.2011.1.8] 
[56] 
Nishimura M, Ohkawara T, Sato H, Takeda H, Nishihira J. Pumpkin seed oil extracted from Cucurbita maxima improves urinary disorder in human overactive bladder. J Tradit Complement Med  2014; 4(1): 72-4.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/2225-4110.124355] [PMID: 24872936] 
[57] 
Alarcon-Aguilar FJ, Hernandez-Galicia E, Campos-Sepulveda AE, et al. Evaluation of the hypoglycemic effect of Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché (Cucurbitaceae) in different experimental models. J Ethnopharmacol  2002; 82(2-3): 185-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(02)00176-9] [PMID: 12241994] 
[58] 
Acosta-Patiño JL, Jiménez-Balderas E, Juárez-Oropeza MA, Díaz-Zagoya JC. Hypoglycemic action of Cucurbita ficifolia on Type 2 diabetic patients with moderately high blood glucose levels. J Ethnopharmacol  2001; 77(1): 99-101.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(01)00272-0] [PMID: 11483384] 
[59] 
Saha P, Mazumder UK, Haldar PK, et al. Anticancer activity of methanol extract of Cucurbita maxima against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma. Int J Res Pharm Sci  2011; 2(1): 52-9.
[60] 
Abasaheb RN, Swati SS, Gajanan LB, Sambhaji DS, Vaishali VG. Rapid biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using bottle gourd fruit extract and potential application as bactericide. Res Pharm  2013; 3(3): 23-8.
[61] 
Malviya R, Srivastava P, Bansal M, Sharma PK. Preparation and evaluation of disintegrating properties of Cucurbita maxima pulp powder. Int J Phys Sci  2010; 2(1): 395-9.
[62] 
Atashafrooz Z. MalekiDizaj, S.; SalehiSadaghiani, A., Cucurbita pepo oil as a drug microemulsion formulation: study of phase diagram. Nanomed J  2014; 1(5): 298-301.
[63] 
Vorobyova OA, Bolshakova AE, Pegova RA, et al. Analysis of the components of pumpkin seed oil in suppositories and the possibility of its use in pharmaceuticals. J Chem Pharm Res  2014; 6(5): 1106-16.
[64] 
Radočaj O, Dimić E, Vujasinović V. Development of a hull-less pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) seed oil press-cake spread. J Food Sci  2012; 77(9): C1011-7.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1750-3841.2012.02874.x] [PMID: 22900635] 
[65] 
Kaur M, Sharma S. Formulation and nutritional evaluation of cookies supplemented with pumpkin seed (Curcubita moschata) flour. Chem Sci Rev Lett  2017; 6: 2236-41.
[66] 
Bombardelli E. Extracts of Cucurbita process for their use in medicaments and cosmetics US5,547,673, 1996.
[67] 
Burt J, Burt K, Godwin T. Personal care composition comprising squash or pumpkin extract. EP2750659, 2014.
[68] 
Renimel I, Andre P, Theiery V, Guillaumet G. Use of cucurbitin for the preparation of a cosmetic or pharmaceutical, particularly dermatological, antiallergenic composition and method involving application thereof.  WO1992015563, 1992.
[69] 
Popp MA. Pharmaceutical formulation, its use and method for its manufacture.  CA2449521A1, 2010.
[70] 
Yoshida S, Ushiroyama T. Herbal composition that reduces the release of follicle stimulating hormone.  ES2425220T3, 2013.
[71] 
Buyukhelvacigil M. Use of an herbal formula containing pumpkin seed oil in bph treatment.  WO/2018/22164, 2019.
[72] 
Hineseu M. Topical skin care formulation.  WO2011103449A2, 2013.
[73] 
Bonbaruderi E. The novel extract of Cucurbita species, a process for their preaparation and their use in pharmaceutical and cosmetic.  JP2912537B2, 1999.
[74] 
Buyukhelvacigil M. Use of an herbal formula containing pumpkin seed oil in the treatment of overactive bladder and urinary in continence of the lower urinary system symptoms.  WO/2018/222163, 2018.
[75] 
Sun LH, Gil LS, Kook LK. Cosmetic composition for promoting desquamation containing the extract of Cucurbita moschata and Castanea crenata as active ingredient.  KR20060133560, 2006.
[76] 
Paufique J. Method of obtaining a firming active principle, active principle thus obtained and uses thereof.  US7815948B, 2010.
Cite As
Current Nutrition & Food Science

Therapeutic Potential and Pharmaceutical Applications of Cucurbita

Abstract

Graphical Abstract
