PHYTOCHEMICALS AND PHARMACOLOGICAL POTENTIALS OF CUCURBITA MAXIMA: A REVIEW

Abstract

In ancient literature, we find references to the therapeutic use of about 500 plants; indigenous medical practices make use of about 800 plants. The pumpkin plant (Cucurbita maxima) is a creeper that is commonly seen growing on the rooftops of homes in India. Seeds, pulp, and fruit stalks are all put to good use. In addition to its potent antioxidant properties, pumpkin seed oil has been lauded for its ability to treat a variety of medical conditions, including but not limited to the prevention and reduction of prostate growth and size; the reduction of bladder and urethral pressure, the improvement of bladder compliance; the alleviation of diabetes by promoting hypoglycemic activity; and the reduction of gastric, breast, lung, and colorectal cancer. Chemical compounds can be extracted from seeds, including 24-ethyl-5-cholesta-7,22-trien-3-ol, 24-ethyl-5-cholesta-7,25-dien-3-ol, avenasterol, spinasterol, 24-dihydrospinasterol, 24-methyl lathosterol, and 25(27)-dehydrofungisterol. From the seeds, I extracted 25-(27) dehydroporiferasterol, clerosterol, isofucosterol, stigmasterol, sitosterol, campesterol, and codisterol. Traditionally, it has been utilized in headaches, nerve pain, inflammation, abscesses, and boils etc. Different parts of C. maxima have been evaluated for numerous pharmacological activities i.e., anticancer, anti-obesity, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, diuretic, antioxidant, immunogenic, cardiotonic, antidepressant, hypolipidemic, antiarthritic and antifungal. Seed extract from the Saw Palmetto plant is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, sometimes in combination with other botanicals in order to cure prostate cancer. In conclusion, the pumpkin plant is highly promising in the coming era with diverse nutritional and pharmacological properties.