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Ancient and Recent Medicinal Uses of Cucurbitaceae Family

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Ancient and Recent Medicinal Uses of Cucurbitaceae Family International Journal of Therapeutic Applications, Volume 9, 2013, 11-19 ANCIENT AND RECENT MEDICINAL USES OF CUCURBITACEAE FAMILY Shweta S. Saboo 1*, Priyanka K. Thorat 1, Ganesh G. Tapadiya 2, S S. Khadabadi 1 1 Department of Pharmacognosy, Govt. College of Pharmacy, Aurangabad, India 2 R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Shirpur, India known as 9β-methyl-19-nor lanosta-5-ene) (Fig. ABSTRACT 1) (Pryzek, 1979). The family Cucurbitaceae includes a The cucurbitacins are arbitrarily divided into large group of plants which are medicinally twelve categories, incorporating cucurbitacins A- valuable. It is a family of about 130 genera T. The various cucurbitacins differ with respect and about 800 species. Seeds or fruit parts to oxygen functionalities at various positions. of some cucurbits are reported to possess The structures of a few cucurbitacins (A, C, B purgatives, emetics and antihelmintics and D) are given in Fig. 2. These cucurbitacins properties due to the secondary metabolite are also present in their glycosidic forms such cucurbitacin content. A number of as cucurbitacin B glucoside containing glucose compounds of this group have been as the glycone moiety. 1 investigated for their cytotoxic, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular effects. Cucurbitacins constitute a group of diverse triterpenoid substances which are well known for their bitterness and toxicity. They are highly oxygenated, tetracyclic triterpenes containing a cucurbitane skeleton characterized. The cucurbitacins are arbitrarily divided into twelve categories, incorporating cucurbitacins A-T. A lot of work has been done by the researchers throughout the world on various plants of Fig. 1 : Basic structure of cucurbitacins (19- the family Cucurbitaceae. Some of the (10→9β)-abeo-10α-lanost-5-ene) important plants that have been extensively studied are Momordica charantia, Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita andreana, Cucurbita ficifolia, Cucumis sativus, Cucumis melo, Citrullus colocynthis, Luffa echinata, Trichosanthes kirilowii, Lagenaria siceraria, Benincasa hispida etc.1 KEY WORDS: cucurbitacin, Cucumis, Trichosanthes, Cucurbita., Bryonia dioica , Cucumis. Fig.2: Structure of Cucurbitacin A (1), Cucurbitacin B (2), Cucurbitacin C (3) and INTRODUCTION Cucurbitacin D (4) A. Cucurbitacins B. Morphological study of Cucurbitacins constitute a group of diverse Cucurbitaceae Family triterpenoid substances which are well known 1. VEGETATIVE CHARACTERS: for their bitterness and toxicity. They are highly oxygenated, tetracyclic triterpenes Plants are mostly annual or perennial weak containing a cucurbitane skeleton characterized stemed trailing or decumbent vines, usually as 19-(10→9β)-abeo-10α-lanost-5-ene (also climbing by means of tendrils and with plenty *Corresponding author: ISSN 2320 –138X 1 Email: [email protected] International Journal of Therapeutic Applications, Volume 9, 2013, 11-19 of juicy sap in the leaves and stems. inserted on the calyx tube, anthers 2 called. Form of anthers bay be 1-lobed or 2-lobed, Root : Taproot, branched get thickened due to paired stamens have either 2-lobed or 4-lobed storage of food and water. anthers. Stem : Herbaceous, climbing by means of Female flower : Female flowers are fewer than tendrils or trailing, rooting at nodes, angular. the male flower. Leaf : Alternate brood, usually simple but Calyx : Sepals 5, united, calyx tube adnate to often deeply lobed or divided and palmately the ovary and often produced beyond it. veined, reticulate, petiole long and hollow. Tendrils may be simple or branched arising in Corolla : Petals 5, as in male free or slightly the axil or opposite to the leaf at the node.1 fused. 2. FLORAL CHARACTERS: Staminoles : Rundiments of stamens 0 or 3 or 5. Inflorescence : Variable flowers often solitary. Large and showy or sometimes in racemes or Gynoecium : Tricapellary syncarpous, ovary, cymes or in panides, unisexual, male and female inferior, unilocular but often the placentae borne on the same plant (monoecious e.g.: Luffa, intrude far into the chamber of the ovary cucumis) or on different plants (dioecious e.g.: making the latter falsely trilocular. Most rarely Trichasanthes). the number to loculi may be one to ten. Flower : Regular, unisexual, rarely bisexual, Placentation axile but the ovules are not smaller or large showy, white or yellow, borne in the centre, style short, stingmas 3 epigymous. often forked. Male flower : They are usually produced in Fruit : Soft fleshy berry termed as pepo, much larger number, campamulate. generally indehiscent and sometimes of enormous size as in water melon or squash Calyx : Sepals five, fused, pointed, petaloid, (Kadoo).2 campamulate, aestivation is imbricate. FLORAL FORMULA: Corolla : Petals five, fused (in momordica only at the base, in cucurbila throughout and Male Flower : +, ♀, K(5), C5 or (5), A 5 or campanulate), or free (Luffa) often deeply five (2) + (2) + (1), G0 lobed, valvate, imbricate, inserted on calyx tube Female Flower: +, ♀, K(5), C5 or (5), A0 or when free. Form of corolla may be 3-5 staminate, F (3).2 campanulate or rotate. C. Origins and Locations Androecium : usually 5 stamens, sometimes 3, free or combined to form a central column Cucumbers originated in India and other Latin Name Common Name Varieties Genus species Citrullus vulgaris watermelon Cucumis anguria West Indian gherkin cantaloupe, honeydew, casaba, Cucumis melo muskmelon Cucumis sativus cucumber banana, buttercup, hubbard, Cucurbita maxima squash kabocha Cucurbita moschata squash butternut, cheese, golden cushaw acorn, crookneck, delicata, some Cucurbita pepo squash gourds, pumpkin, scallop, spaghetti, zucchini Lagenaria siceraria hardshelled gourd Luffa acetangula angled luffa Luffa aegyptiaca smooth luffa bitter gourd (balsam pear, Momordica charantia ISSN 2320 –138X bitter melon) 12 Trichosanthes anguina snake gourd International Journal of Therapeutic Applications, Volume 9, 2013, 11-19 parts of Western Asia. There are relatives of the Cucumbers are consumed either raw or cucumber that can be found in the foothills of the pickled. Pickling is a common way to preserve the Himalaya Mountains, but cannot be used cucumber for longer periods of time. Historically, it agriculturally because of bitter fruit, mainly allowed them to be available long after the normal dormant seeds and delayed maturity. Other growing season. Cucumbers are soaked in a relatives of the cucumber can be found in China solution of brine, vinegar and/or various spices. and the Near and Middle East, however This preserves the cucumber, as well as imbuing it cucumbers were most likely domesticated in Asia. with different flavors.3 Cultivation of the vegetable as a food source F. Different genous and species of began roughly 3000 years ago. From India, the cucumber was carried to Greece and Italy, where it cucurbitaceae family played a pivotal role in the Roman Empire. From Many members of the Cucurbitaceae family Rome, it spread to China and southern Russia. are ancient The Cucurbita genus (squash) is said to Spread to the rest of Europe by the Romans, The have evolved in the warmer parts of the Americas. first records of cucumber cultivation were found in France in the 9th century, Great Britain in the 14th Cucurbits have inspired the creation of an century, Caribbean by late 15th century and North incredible number of cultivars and new ones are America by mid 16th century. 2 developed continuously. An example of this is pumpkins (Cucrbita pepo). 3 D. Soil & Climate G. Different genous and their uses Cucurbits should be gown in warm soil that is fertile and well irrigated. There needs to be room Sr. Genus Uses for the crop to set roots deep in the soil as well as no. space to expand on top of the soil also. The climate for large commercial production must be 1. Bryonia tropical or subtropical at the coldest because a 1. slight frost will kill the young cucurbits very Ex Bryonia It is a powerful cathartic rapidly. The soil cannot be colder than 60 degrees dioica and purgative. It is primarily Fahrenheit and should be between 65 and 75 (White prescribed for painful degrees F for the most effective seed germination. Bryony) rheumatic conditions. The Soil temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees F root is cathartic, are ideal for maximum plant growth. cytotoxic, diaphoretic, expectorant, hydrogogue, The roots of some of the larger cucurbits can irritant, pectoral, purgative penetrate 6 ½ feet down into the soil, so it is and vermifugal. It is used in imperative to have well fertilized land with a lot of small quantities internally in vertical and horizontal growing room. For planting, the treatment of various holes of at least 1½ feet deep by at least 2 feet inflammatory conditions, wide are essential. These holes then must be filled bronchial complaints, asthma, with good manure and compost mixed well with intestinal ulcers, hypertension garden loam or a fertile and well-drained soil, and arthritis. Externally, it is containing clay, sand, and a significant amount of applied as a rubefacient to 3 decomposed organic matter according . muscular and joint pains E. Nutrition and Uses and pleurisy. The whole herb has an antiviral effect.4 Cucurbits are a family of healthy foods. 2. Cucurbita Cucumbers in particular are a prime dieting food. Ex Cucurbita The plant cure wounds and They are 96 percent water, with a little fiber and ficifolia used to treat hemorrhoids only a few calories. In addition, it provides a good (leaf and fever and is use for the source of vitamins A, K, and C, as well as a large gourd): treatment of diabetes type 2. amount of potassium. The National Cancer It has shown acute Institute has identified certain properties of the hypoglycaemic activity in cucumber as having cancer preventative benefits. temporally hyperglycemic Cucurbits (Cucurbitaceae) are among the most rabbits, in alloxan-diabetic important plant families supplying humans with rabbits and recently, in type 2 edible products and useful fibers. diabetic patients.5 ISSN 2320 –138X 13 International Journal of Therapeutic Applications, Volume 9, 2013, 11-19 Cucurbita The fruit is cooling and (SOD).
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