Colocynthis Fruit Research Articles

Green synthesis of magnesium oxide nanosheets by using Citrullus colocynthis fruit extract and its use in biofuel production

The present study focuses on the novel green synthesis approach of heterogeneous MgO nanocatalyst for biodiesel production from a novel Citrullus colocynthis fruit extract while the tea plant (Camellia assamica) is used as a source for oil. The green synthesis method is an environmentally friendly, cost-effective, non-toxic, and easy method yielding high biodiesel synthesis efficiency as compared to a homogenous catalyst. The XRD results confirm the required MgO phase with an average crystallite size of 42.6 nm. A sheet-like porous morphology of MgO in the range of 1–5 nm is observed from FESEM/EDX analysis with a surface area of 147.4 m2 g−1 and mesopores laying in the range of 20–30 nm as calculated from the BET and BJH analysis, respectively. This novel nanocatalyst showed high conversion efficiency of the green tea seed oil into fatty acid methyl ester (Biodiesel). The GC-MS and FTIR are used to confirm the conversion of tea seed oil into biodiesel. The maximum biodiesel yield of ∼100% was obtained at a temperature of 60 °C, a methanol/oil molar ratio of 6:2, a catalyst content of 6.25 wt%, and a reaction time of 1.5 h. The fuel properties of the produced biodiesel are well within the range of international standards and the fatty acid methyl ester profile confirms its viability and reliability as an alternative fuel source for an internal combustion engine.

Evaluation of laxative activity of aqueous extract of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. fruits on mice

Constipation is a common gastrointestinal disorder with a well-recognized tendency to cause discomfort which also affects the quality of life. Medicinal plant is defined as any substance with one or more of its organs containing substances that can be used for therapeutic purposes or which can be used as precursors for synthesis of drugs. Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. (Bitter apple), a valuable plant from Cucurbitaceae family is a non-hardy, herbaceous perennial vine, branched from the base with leafy and stiff-haired stems. This study evaluated the laxative activity of aqueous extract of Citrullus colocynthis fruits on mice. Bisacodyl (25 mg/kg), a standard drug. served as positive control while aqueous extract of Citrullus colocynthis fruits was administered at the doses of 20 and 50 mg/kg orally. Sixteen (16) animals were used and placed in metabolic cages designed specially to separate urine and fecal materials. The fecal outputs were collected and weighed at every 8 and 16 hours for 5 days. The results revealed the extract to have time and dose dependent activity patterns. Higher activity of the extract was recorded in 50 mg/kg up to 8 hours throughout the period of experiment. This showed that the efficacy of the doses could not last for 16 hours since treatment was only given once per day. This result also showed higher activity when compared with the standard drug, Bisacodyl. This study supported the folkloric laxative use of Citrullus colocynthis fruit.

​Treatment of Diabetes with a Medicinal Plant “Citrullus colocynthis” in Wistar Rats

Background: Citrullus colocynthis is a plant of the Cucurbitaceous family, native to arid soils. Coloquine is common in humid and moderately dry tropical regions in Algeria. The present study aims to evaluate the in vitro anti-free radical activity of C. colocynthis fruit extract on diabetic rats by the evaluation of the impact of these extracts on eight (08) blood parameters. Methods: Following a daily intraperitoneal injection of 1 ml of Alloxan to healthy Wistar Albinos rats (diabetes induction), intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kgp.c of cucurbitacin glycosides was carried out. The treatment effect was monitored by assessment of eight blood parameters. Result: Intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg of cucurbitacins glycosides of C. colocynthis exhibited significant antidiabetic, anti-hyperureimia, anti-proteinemia, anti-hyperlipidemia and anti-hypercholesterolemia activity on Alloxan induced diabetic Wistar laboratory rats. These extracts also showed improvement in lipid, protein, creatinine and urea profile. In perspective more thorough investigations are required to unravel the process behind direct control of type II diabetes.

Therapeutic Pharmacological Properties of Citrullus colocynthis Fruit Pulps Methanolic Crude Extract against Potassium Oxonate-Induced Hyperuricemic Gout Rat Model

Therapeutic Pharmacological Properties of Citrullus colocynthis Fruit Pulps Methanolic Crude Extract against Potassium Oxonate-Induced Hyperuricemic Gout Rat Model

Comparative Antioxidant and Anti-gout Activities of Citrullus colocynthis loaded Fruit Silver nanoparticles with its Ethanolic extract

The biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using plant materials is a rapidly developing method with several alternative medical applications. This comparative study of ethanolic fruit extract of Citrullus colocynthis (C. colocynthis) (EFECC) and synthesized silver nanoparticles (CC-AgNPs) were carried out for antioxidants and anti-gout arthritic activities. The AgNPs were synthesized using C. colocynthis fruit and its characterization was done by UV-visible spectroscopy, TEM, XRD and FT-IR. The 90% ethanol was used for extract preparation. Antioxidant activity was analyzed by DPPH and the Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) method. In vitro anti-arthritic activity was tested by xanthine oxidase inhibition, protein denaturation and HRBC membrane stabilization assay. The synthesized CC-AgNPs were confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy and TEM images displayed spherical shapes with 10-45 nm size range. Furthermore, the functional groups and crystalline structure of CC-AgNPs were determined by FT-IR and XRD analysis. The biosynthesized CC-AgNPs exhibited an excellent free radical scavenging ability than EFECC. In anti-arthritic activity, the CC-AgNPs showed effective inhibition of xanthine oxidase production, protein denaturation, and damaged RBC membranes compared to EFECC. The antioxidant activities and in vitro anti-arthritic assays revealed that CC-AgNPs are better anti-gout agents than EFECC. This research suggested that biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from C. colocynthis fruit are an important target in the field of anti-gout drug discovery.

Effect of root inoculation with Mycorrhizal fungus and foliar spraying with Moringa leaf extract on some vegetative characteristics and concentration of the active substance in Citrullus Colocynthis fruits

A field experiment was conducted in the 2021 agricultural season in one of the agricultural fields in Anbar Governorate - Fallujah district to study the effect of treating roots with different concentrations of Mycorrhizal fungi and foliar spraying with different concentrations of Moringa leaf extract and the interaction between them on some vegetative characteristics and concentration of the active substance in Citrullus Colocynthis fruits. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design R.C.B.D with three replications for each treatment. The experiment included 16 treatments resulting from the control treatment, inoculation with three concentrations of mycorrhizal fungi, foliar spraying with three concentrations of moringa leaf extract and the interaction between them, the averages were compared using the least significant difference L.S.D at a probability level of 0.05. The results showed that the inoculation of roots with mycorrhizal fungi gave significant differences in the studied traits, as the inoculation treatment with mycorrhizal fungi at concentration (20 g) for each plant achieved the highest values ​​for some of the traits studied, which significantly outperformed the control treatment without addition in each of the number of flowers, leaf content of Chlorophyll and concentration of active substances (Citrullol, Cucurbitacine, Colocynthine, Colocynthitine).

Acaricidal effect of Citrullus colocynthis fruit extract on the camel tick Hyalomma dromedarii (Koch, 1844)

The hard tick Hyalomma dromedarii is one of the most injurious ectoparasites affecting camels in Egypt and several other areas of the world. Hyalomma dromedarii engorged females were dipped in alcoholic extract of Citrullus colocynthis fruits at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/mL and then observed over four weeks following treatment. There was a marked increase in dead females following single treatment with the above concentrations, particularly for the two highest which caused ≥ 90% mortality. In addition, the extract caused rapid blood digestion in ticks as well as obvious decrease in their oviposition (40% oviposition for the highest concentration compared to 100% for the control group), hatchability (40-45% egg hatching across concentrations compared to 78% for the control group) and fertility index (0.32 compared to 0.56 for the control group). As the estimated LC50 and LC95 were recorded 63.84 and 1046.11 mg/mL, respectively, the study also revealed that dipping in 200 mg/mL of C. colocynthis alcoholic extract is sufficient to control H. dromedarii as it recorded >85% acaricide efficacy, so it might be selected to be the effective dose. Moreover, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was carried out on alcoholic extract of C. colocynthis fruits and detected its major constituents of decanoic, oleic, linoleic, carbamic and vaccenic acids which have acaricidal activities impacting tick feeding, digestion and survival. The combined effects of alcoholic extract of C. colocynthis fruits indicated by high mortality rate as well as decreased fecundity and reproductive efficacy supports its effectiveness as a promising management agent for the control of H. dromedarii.

Effect of Citrullus colocynth fruit extract on pro and anti apoptotic molecules in human melanoma cell line (A375).

Melanoma remains a major cause of death worldwide. Chemotherapy might be used to treat advanced Melanoma which is associated with some side effects. Hence, providing proper treatment or proper employment of lower toxic substances is essential. Citrullus colocynthis, a medicinal plant, seems a potential anticancer herbal medicine against Melanoma via various efficient compounds. Therefore, it is of interest to analyze the effect of Citrullus colocynthis fruit extract on pro and anti apoptotic molecules in the human melanoma cell line (A375). Cell viability test was done using MTT assay. mRNA expression of Bax and Bcl2 was done by real-time PCR. The data was analyzed statistically by one way analysis of variance and Duncan multiple range test with graph prism version 5. p<0.05 was considered significant. Citrullus colocynthis extract caused a marked increase in cell death in a dose-dependent manner. At the end of 48 hours, maximum inhibition (50%) was at 400 and 500µg/ml. The study demonstrated that the effect of Citrullus colocynthis extract has elevated the Bax mRNA expression on human melanoma cell lines. Data shows that Citrullus colocynthis fruit extract has an anticancer effect on the human melanoma cell line (A375) by increasing the expression of Bax and Bcl2 and this could be because of the phytochemicals present in it.

Phenolic Contents and Antioxidant Activity of Citrullus colocynthis Fruits, Growing in the Hot Arid Desert of the UAE, Influenced by the Fruit Parts, Accessions, and Seasons of Fruit Collection

Citrullus colocynthis (Cucurbitaceae) is an important medicinal plant traditionally used in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In a recent study, it has been reported that different individuals of the same population of C. colocynthis, growing in the hot arid desert of the UAE, exhibited variations in their fruit size, color, and stripe pattern. In addition, these plants differed genetically, and their seeds showed variation in size, color, and germination behavior (hereinafter, these individuals are referred to as accessions). In the present study, the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of different fruit parts (rinds, pulps, and seeds) of three different accessions with significant genetic variations, from a single C. colocynthis population, were assessed in response to different seasonal environments. Green fruits were collected in summer and winter from three accessions growing in the botanic garden of the University of Sharjah, UAE. Methanolic extracts from different fruit parts were prepared. The TPC was qualitatively determined by a Folin–Ciocalteu assay, while the antioxidant capacity was analyzed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) radical scavenging ability. The metabolic profiling of the antioxidant metabolites was determined using a gas chromatograph coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS), associated with a literature search. The results showed that the TPC and the DPPH free radical scavenging activity varied between seasons, accessions, and fruit parts. The highest phenolics were in rinds, but the highest antioxidant activities were in seeds during the summer, reflecting the role of these compounds in protecting the developed seeds from harsh environmental conditions. The metabolomic analysis revealed the presence of 28 metabolites with significant antioxidant activities relevant to fruit parts and season. Collectively, the formation of phenolics and antioxidant activity in different fruit parts is environmentally and genetically dependent.

Cytotoxic Effect of Hydroethanolic Extract of Citrullus colocynth (L) Fruit against Human Lung Cancer Cell Line

Citrullus colocynthis is a traditional medicinal plant that belongs to the cucurbitaceae family. The extract of the fruit is rich in therapeutic phytochemicals. Lung cancer is a disease with high mortality and morbidity rates. Recently the research has been focused on herbal medicine as a treatment approach for cancer because of its no or less side effects. The aim of the study is to know about the anticancer effect of hydroethanolic extract of Citrullus colocynthis fruit against human lung cancer cell line through apoptosis pathway. Cell viability test was done by MTT assay. The mRNA expression of Bcl2 and Bcl-xL was done using the real-time PCR. The obtained data was analysed statistically by one way analysis of variance and Duncan multiple range test with graph prism version 5 to analyse the significance. The significance was considered at p&lt;0.05 level in Duncan’s test. Citrullus colocynthis fruit extract increased the inhibition of growth of lung cancer cells. The activity of Bcl2 and Bcl xL was significantly down regulated at 400μg. The study concludes that Citrullus colocynthis fruit extract has anticancer activity on A549 human lung cancer cell line through apoptosis pathway.

Cytotoxic and antioxidant effect of the ethanolic extract of Citrullus colocynthis L. plant fruit

&#x0D; Citrullus colocynthis L. of the Cucurbitaecea botanical family is a plant widely used in traditional medicine in Algeria. It seems empirically effective in the treatment of various diseases. The aim of the present research is to evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxic effects, in vitro, of the ethanolic extract of C. colocynthis fruits. The quantitative analysis has shown that the ethanolic extract of C. colocynthis is rich in total polyphenols with a content of 443.62 ± 2.13 µg EAG/mg of extract. The results obtained showed a strong anti-free radical activity of the ethanolic extract of C.colocynthis exerted against the DPPH free radical scavenging effect (CI50 = 6.31 µg/ml) and highlighted a powerful ferric reducing antioxidant power (CI50 = 27.94 µg/ml). We should also note a good antioxidant activity against the OH radical, obtained with the concentration (IC50 = 67.13 µg/ml). Furthermore, the obtained results indicate that the treatment of the three cancer cell lines (HepG2, SH-SY5Y and Raw 264.7) with the different concentrations of the used extract reduced the number of cells in a dose-dependent way. Based on our results, we can consider that Citrullus colocynthis is a plant with a strong pharmacological power and can therefore be used in phytotherapy.&#x0D;

Cytotoxic and antioxidant effect of the ethanolic extract of Citrullus colocynthis L. plant fruit

Citrullus colocynthis L. of the Cucurbitaecea botanical family is a plant widely used in traditional medicine in Algeria. It seems empirically effective in the treatment of various diseases. The aim of the present research is to evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxic effects, in vitro, of the ethanolic extract of C. colocynthis fruits. The quantitative analysis has shown that the ethanolic extract of C. colocynthis is rich in total polyphenols with a content of 443.62 ± 2.13 µg EAG/mg of extract. The results obtained showed a strong anti-free radical activity of the ethanolic extract of C.colocynthis exerted against the DPPH free radical scavenging effect (CI 50 = 6.31 µg/ml) and highlighted a powerful ferric reducing antioxidant power (CI 50 = 27.94 µg/ml). We should also note a good antioxidant activity against the OH radical, obtained with the concentration (IC 50 = 67.13 µg/ml). Furthermore, the obtained results indicate that the treatment of the three cancer cell lines (HepG2, SH-SY5Y and Raw 264.7) with the different concentrations of the used extract reduced the number of cells in a dose-dependent way. Based on our results, we can consider that Citrullus colocynthis is a plant with a strong pharmacological power and can therefore be used in phytotherapy.

A Citrullus colocynthis fruit extract acutely enhances insulin-induced GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake in adipocytes by increasing PKB phosphorylation

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCitrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad is a common fruit in traditional medicine and used as remedy against various diseases, especially diabetes. Up to now, its anti-diabetic effects have been fully attributed to its enhancement of pancreatic insulin secretion. Whether C. colocynthis also ameliorates insulin action in peripheral tissues has not been investigated. Aim of the studyIn the present study, using 3T3-L1 adipocytes as cell model, we have investigated whether colocynth fruit extracts affect insulin action. Materials and methodsVarious extracts were prepared from the C. colocynthis fruit and screened using a cell-based 96 well plate GLUT4 translocation assay. Promising extracts were further studied for their effects on glucose uptake and cell viability. The effect on insulin signal transduction was determined by Western blot and the molecular composition was established by LC-MS. ResultsThe ethyl acetate fractions of aqueous non-defatted extracts of seed and pulp, designated Sna1 and Pna1, acutely enhanced insulin-induced GLUT4 translocation. In accordance, both extracts increased insulin-stimulated cellular glucose uptake. Pna1, which displayed greater effects on GLUT4 and glucose uptake than Sna1, was further investigated and was demonstrated to increase GLUT4 translocation without changing the half-maximum dose (ED50) of insulin, nor changing GLUT4 translocation kinetics. At the molecular level, Pna1 was found to enhance insulin-induced PKB phosphorylation without changing phosphorylation of the insulin receptor. Pna1 appeared not to be toxic to cells and, like insulin, restored cell viability during serum starvation. By investigating the molecular composition of Pna1, nine compounds were identified that made up 87% of the mass of the extract, one of which is likely to be responsible for the insulin-enhancing effects of Pna1. ConclusionsThe C. colocynthis fruit possesses insulin-enhancing activity. This activity may explain in part its anti-diabetic effects in traditional medicine. It also identifies the C. colocynthis as a source of a potential novel insulin enhancer that may prove to be useful to reduce hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes.

Comparative Efficacy of Citrullus Colocynthis Fruit Powder and Popular Antibiotic Growth Promoters in Broiler Diet

Comparative Efficacy of Citrullus Colocynthis Fruit Powder and Popular Antibiotic Growth Promoters in Broiler Diet

Investigation of Neuroprotective and Antiparkinson’s Activity of Citrullus colocynthis Fruit

Investigation of Neuroprotective and Antiparkinson’s Activity of Citrullus colocynthis Fruit

Biosynthesis, characterization and anti-dengue vector activity of silver nanoparticles prepared from Azadirachta indica and Citrullus colocynthis.

We report here biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous extracts of (i) Azadirachta indica leaves and (ii) Citrullus colocynthis fruit and their larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti. The UV–Vis spectroscopy absorption peaks occurred in the range of 412–416 nm for A. indica AgNPs and 416–431 nm for C. colocynthis AgNPs indicating the silver nature of prepared colloidal samples. The scanning electron microscopy examination revealed the spherical morphology of both types of NPs with average size of 17 ± 4 nm (A. indica AgNPs) and 26 ± 5 nm (C. colocynthis AgNPs). The X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the face-centred cubic (FCC) structure with crystallite size of 11 ± 1 nm (A. indica AgNPs) and 15 ± 1 nm (C. colocynthis AgNPs) while characteristic peaks appearing in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicated the attachment of different biomolecules on AgNPs. The larvicidal activity at different concentrations of synthesized AgNPs (1–20 mg l−1) and extracts (0.5–1.5%) against Aedes aegypti was examined for 24 h. A concentration-dependent larvicidal potential of both types of AgNPs was observed. The LC50 values were found to be 0.3 and 1.25 mg l−1 for C. colocynthis AgNPs and A. indica AgNPs, respectively. However, both extracts did not exhibit any notable larvicidal activity.

STUDY OF ANTIDIABETIC EFFECT OF POLYHERBAL EXTRACT IN ALLOXAN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder in which there is defect in insulin secretion high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period. The polyherbal extract under study contain extract of Eugenia jambolana (seed) , Citrulus colocynthis (fruit), Terminaliachebula ( Fruit) , Curcuma amada (Rhizome) , Syzigium cumini ( seed) in combination shows decrease in levels enhace gluconeogenesis from protein and Amino acid with accumulation of glycogen in liver. Crude drugs like Eugenia jambolana, Mamordica charantia, Terminalia Chebula, and Black cumini increase secreation of insulin from B-cells of islets of pancrease. The proposed study is to investigate the effectiveness that of combination of these herbs as a polyherbal extract formulation in treatment of type II diabetic model. In the present study, experimental diabetes was induced Alloxan dose 150 mg/kg(Group ll), Diabetic standard diabetic rats were treated with oral dose of (metformin) 10mg/kg (Grouplll), group iv, v, vi) Diabetic rats were treated with an polyherbal extract 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg, 150mg /kg respectively. Drugs Metformin and polyherbal extract were given once in daily. The dietry regimen for 21 days, during which blood glucose level and lipid profile measured at 0,7,14,21 day of study using blood from rats retroorbital plexus. A high dose (200 mg/kg) of polyherbal extracts treatment group produce significant decrease in plasma glucose level.&#x0D; Keywords: Diabetes, Eugenia jambolana, Citrulus colocynthis, Mamordica charantia, Gymnema stylvestre

Bioguided Fractionation of Citrullus colocynthis Extracts and Antifungal Activity Against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. albedinis

Background: In the present study, a bioguided fractionation was realized to isolate bioactive compounds on Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. albedinis (Foa) from Citrullus colocynthis L. Foa is the causal agent of “ Bayoud”, a lethal disease of date palm. Methods: Extracts of Citrullus colocynthis fruits peels using four solvents (n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethanol, chloroform) were tested for antifungal effect on Foa with radial growth technique. The ethanolic extract was selected for fractionation to isolate bioactive compounds (Percentage of Growth Reduction “PGR”: 63.6%). The fractionation was realized using six solvents (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol, butanol, water). Through fractionation, methanolic and butanolic fractions (PGR= 57.6% and 69.7%, respectively) had been chosen for bioactive compounds isolation. Results: Chromatographic and spectroscopic analyses had led to isolation of six compounds deduced as: (C1): 2-O-β-D-glucopyranosylcucurbitacin E; (C2): 2-(Nonan-8-one)-(1H)-4-quinolone; (C3): 2- (Nonan-8-one) 4-methoxy-quinoline, (C4): Isosaponarin; (C5): Isovitexin; (C6): Isoorientin 3’-Omethyl ether. The isolated compounds had been tested for antifungal effect. The compound (C1) represents the best effect among isolated compounds (PGR, up to 54.5%). Conclusion: The efficiency of (C1) reflects its opportunity to be used for the development of efficient treatment against Bayoud disease.

TLC-Bioautographic Evaluation for High-Throughput Screening and Identification of Free Radical Scavenging and Antidiabetic Compounds from Traditional Unani Medicinal Plant: Citrullus colocynthis Schrad.

Interest in the antioxidant and antidiabetic activity of natural products are growing vastly in the modern world. Thin layer chromatography-bioautography-mass spectroscopy (TLC-bioautography-MS) plays an important role in chemico-biological screening of natural sources. TLC combined with 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, α-amylase and α-glucosidase bioassay were used to evaluate antioxidant and antidiabetic activities, respectively, in different extracts of Citrullus colocynthis (Hanzal), a well-known traditional Indian Unani medicinal plant. To develop a TLC-bioautographic-MS method for DPPH, α-amylase, and glucosidase inhibitors in different extract of C. colocynthis fruits. Fruits of C. colocynthis were successively extracted with toluene, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water. TLC solvents were developed, and bioautographic-MS analysis was carried out to identify the antioxidant and antidiabetic compounds. HPTLC fingerprinting analysis showed maximum numbers of band separated in dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts of C. colocynthis, fourteen and thirteen at 254 and 366 nm, respectively. Whereas six and five separated bands were observed in toluene extract at 254 and 366 nm, respectively showed minimum numbers of metabolites. Based on TLC-bioautography-MS, maximum number of antioxidant compounds were identified in dichloromethane extract. Except aqueous extract of C. colocynthis, all the extracts have shown antidiabetic activity. On the other hand, there were no antioxidant compounds in methanolic extract of C. colocynthis. The results of this study reveal that TLC-bioautography-MS-guided strategy used to identify antioxidant and antidiabetic compounds of C. colocynthis is very useful technique for high-throughput screening of bioactive compounds. TLC-MS bioautography is a simple and fast to enables bioactive compounds present in extracts.

ANTI-INSECT ACTIVITY OF ETHYL ACETATE EXTRACT OF CITRULLUS COLOCYNTHIS (L.) SCHRAD FRUIT AGAINST SPODOPTERA LITURA (FAB.)(NOCTUIDAE: LEPIDOPTERA)

ABSTRACT The effect of ethyl acetate extract of bitter apple, Citrullus colocynthis fruit was studied against S. litura using poison food bioassay experiments. Extraction of toxic compounds from the fruits of C. colocynthis with Soxhlet and purification of extracts with column chromatography were done. In this study, there were seven treatments – five elutions, control and absolute control replicated thrice. The results showed that among the five elutions, ethyl acetate elution 3 had registered 80.00 and 83.33 per cent adult malformation, followed by ethyl acetate elution 1, 2 and 4 compared to control and absolute control in preliminary and confirmation screenings, respectively. The determination of promising dose exhibited that, ethyl acetate elution 3 exhibited the LC50value of 29.62 per cent concentration. In ethyl acetate elutions, it was found that among the elutions, the lowest mean faecal and pupal weight were registered in ethyl acetate elution 3 compared to control and absolute control. Similar trend of results were also observed in confirmation and dose determination experiments.