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Description
Curator's Comment: Description was created based on several sources, including http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22784342 and http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25265814

Citrullus colocynthis whole, also known as bitter cucumber, is a fruit-bearing plant sometimes used medicinally. Citrullus colocynthis is an annual plant that grows in the south, center, and east areas of Iran. It is recognized by different pharmacologic activities in traditional Iranian medicine (TIM) (i.e., purgative, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, analgesic, hair growth-promoting, abortifacient, and antiepileptic. Citrullus colocynthis is used to treat diabetes, since it may be able to induce insulin secretion from the pancreas after supplementation, while reducing blood glucose and improving lipid levels. In a randomized clinical trial, HbA1c and fasting blood glucose levels were decreased in patients using 300 mg of C. colocynthis dry fruit powder daily for 2 months. In another trial, intake of 300 mg of powdered seed can lower the triglyceride and cholesterol concentration significantly in nondiabetic hyperlipidemic patients. Preliminary evidence suggests a topical application of Citrullus colocynthis may stimulate hair growth, with an effect comparable to finasteride, a male pattern baldness drug. More evidence is needed to confirm this effect. Aqueous and methanol extracts of colocynth showed high antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and other bacteria. Extracts of fruits, leaves, roots and stems were also found to be potentially usable against many Gram positive bacilli and fungi such as Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, and Mucor species. Even low doses (100mg, taken three times) of Citrullus colocynthis can cause diarrhea, while higher doses (1,500 mg) can cause colonic inflammation and rectal bleeding. These side-effects stop once supplementation is ceased. Since the bioactive compounds in Citrullus colocynthis are still unknown, and even low-dose supplementation is associated with intestinal side-effects, Citrullus colocynthis is not recommended for oral supplementation. There are no approved products of C. Colocynthis.

Approval Year

TargetsConditions

Conditions

ConditionModalityTargetsHighest PhaseProduct
Primary
Unknown

Approved Use

Unknown
Primary
Unknown

Approved Use

Unknown
Palliative
Unknown

Approved Use

Unknown
PubMed

PubMed

TitleDatePubMed
Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad (bitter apple fruit): a review of its phytochemistry, pharmacology, traditional uses and nutritional potential.
2014 Aug 8
A review on antidiabetic activity of Citrullus colocynthis Schrad.
2014 May-Jun
Patents

Sample Use Guides

In Vivo Use Guide
Curator's Comment: Can also be used topically https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02155361
Dose: Fruit powder – 125 – 500 mg Root Powder – 1 – 2 grams per day.
Route of Administration: Oral
In Vitro Use Guide
The highest MICs were obtained from the fruit aqueous extracts of Citrullus colocynthis whole (MIC 0.10mg/ml against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata, 0.20mg/ml against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa)
Substance Class Structurally Diverse
Created
by admin
on Fri Dec 15 20:23:29 UTC 2023
Edited
by admin
on Fri Dec 15 20:23:29 UTC 2023
Source Materials Class ORGANISM
Source Materials Type PLANT
Organism Family Cucurbitaceae
Organism Genus Citrullus
Organism Species colocynthis
Author (L.) SCHRAD.
Part WHOLE
Record UNII
Z70W98921V
Record Status Validated (UNII)
Record Version
  • Download
Related Record Type
Name Type Language
CITRULLUS COLOCYNTHIS WHOLE
Common Name English
CITRULLUS COLOCYNTHOIDES WHOLE
Systematic Name English
COLOCYNTHIS VULGARIS WHOLE
Systematic Name English
COLOCYNTHIS OFFICINALIS WHOLE
Systematic Name English
CUCUMIS COLOCYNTHIS L.
Systematic Name English
COLOCYNTH WHOLE
Common Name English
COLOCYNTHIS VULGARIS SCHRAD.
Systematic Name English
CITRULLUS PSEUDOCOLOCYNTHIS WHOLE
Systematic Name English
Citrullus colocynthis [WHO-DD]
Common Name English
CUCUMIS COLOCYNTHOIDES WHOLE
Systematic Name English
CUCURBITA COLOCYNTHA WHOLE
Systematic Name English
CUCUMIS COLOCYNTHIS WHOLE
Systematic Name English
CITRULLUS COLOCYNTHIS (L.) SCHRAD.
Systematic Name English
COLOCYNTH [HOC]
Common Name English
Code System Code Type Description
GRIN
10674
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 20:23:29 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 20:23:29 UTC 2023
PRIMARY
NCI_THESAURUS
C74322
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 20:23:29 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 20:23:29 UTC 2023
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WIKIPEDIA
CITRULLUS
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 20:23:29 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 20:23:29 UTC 2023
PRIMARY
FDA UNII
Z70W98921V
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 20:23:29 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 20:23:29 UTC 2023
PRIMARY
RXCUI
1663393
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 20:23:29 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 20:23:29 UTC 2023
PRIMARY
DAILYMED
Z70W98921V
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PRIMARY
MPNS
WCSCMP-2723897
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USDA PLANTS
CICO7
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Catalogue of Life
VMHH
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 20:23:29 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 20:23:29 UTC 2023
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NCBI TAXONOMY
252529
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PRIMARY
ITIS
501571
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 20:23:29 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 20:23:29 UTC 2023
PRIMARY
Related Record Type Details
SUB_CONCEPT->SUBSTANCE