Colocynthis Seeds Research Articles

The Study of Antimicrobial Activity of Citrullus colocynthis Seeds

Crude methanolic and hexane extracts of seeds of citrullus colocynthis were examined for antimicrobial effects of different concentrations ranging from (3.1- 50) mg/ml against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Psendomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Entero coccus spp. and Candida albicans. The agar well diffusion methode was used in this study.The extract was found to be active against S.aureus, B.subtilis, P. vulgaris, K. pneumoniae, and PS. aeruginosa at concentrations of (50, 25, 12.5, 6.25) mg/ml.while S. pyogenes and L.monocytogenes were sensitie at (50, 25, 12.5) mg/ml. E. coli shown sensitivity at (50, 25)mg/ml. Enterococcus spp. and Salmonella typhi showed no response. Candida albicans was sensitive to all different concentrations. Hexane extract was less effective against the tested microorganisms than methanolic extract. The results support the notion that Citrullus colocynthis seeds extract may have a role in pharmacentical uses, like antimicrobial drugs.

Effect of saponosides crude extract isolated from Citrullus Colocynthis (L.) seeds on blood glucose level in normal and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

The effect of saponosides crude extract isolated from the seeds of Citrullus Colocynthis L. Schrad (Cucurbitaceae) on blood glucose level were investigated in normal and diabetic rats (streptozotocin induced). A single and non toxic dose (20 mg/kg bw) of saponosides crude extract were administrated to animals by intraperitoneal route. Lethal doses of saponosides crude extract in healthy rats (DL50 and DL100) were found to be 200 and 250 mg/kg bw, respectively. The results obtained from this study showed no change of glycaemia in normal rats. Whereas, in STZ-treated diabetic animals, the blood glucose level decrease significantly (p<0.05) to reach its normal value 48 h after administration of saponosides crude extract. This antihyperglycaemic effect was maintained during twenty six days after a unique intraperitoneal injection. This effect can be reproduced after return to the diabetic state. Saponosides instigate an antihyperglycaemic and sustainable action in STZ-diabetic rats. Key words: Citrullus colocynthis L., antidiabetic, saponosides, streptozotocin, rats.

Comparison the Effect of Different Treatments for Breaking Seed Dormancy of Citrullus colocynthis

Citrullus colocynthis is one of the major medic plants and it has many medical values. This plant adopts in desert regions and specifically in sand dunes. Forasmuch as seeds of this plant germinate not easily, so in this research tried to study about effect of different treatments for breaking seed dormancy, germination stimulus and growth of Citrullus colocynthis seeds. The treatments were include sulfuric acid 98% in 20 and 40 minutes time intervals, potassium nitrate 0.2% within 72 hours, hot water in 90 centigrade degree during 10 minutes and scratching by sand paper. For comparing this treatments and normal germination is used distilled water for control. Experiments were performed in a completely randomized design with four repetitions and six treatments. Results of variance analysis and mean comparison showed that there are significant statistical differences (0.01 levels) between treatments for percentage and velocity of germination, length of the Root and Shoot. The maximum percentage and velocity of germination and length of the Shoot obtain in scratching by sand paper treatment and results of other treatments were in lower level than this one. According to got results determined that scratching is the most suitable method for dominance on seed dormancy of Citrullus colocynthis species.

Comparative effects of oral administration of Citrullus colocynthis and insulin injection on serum biochemical parameters of alloxan-induced diabetic dogs

Citrullus colocynthis seeds are traditionally used as antidiabetic medication in Mediterranean countries. An experiment was designed to evaluate the comparative effects of oral administration of C. colocynthis and insulin injection on the serum biochemical parameters of diabetic dogs. Twelve apparently healthy mixed breed dogs were selected and randomly allocated into three groups, two diabetic groups and one control group (n = 4). Diabetes was induced with alloxan tetrahydrate. One diabetic group and the control group were treated with a dose of 100 mg/kg/day of C. colocynthis. Three days after confirmation of diabetes mellitus, the dogs were orally administered C. colocynthis capsules twice daily for 8 days. The other diabetic group was injected with a combination of neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) [insulin isophane (NPH)–Human-Exir] and regular crystalline insulin [insulin (regular)–Human-Exir] (70% NPH and 30% regular) twice daily for 8 days. Blood samples were collected from the cephalic vein at three time points: immediately before alloxan injection, 3 days after diabetic induction, and 12 h after the last treatment. Serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, triglyceride, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartic aminotransferase were measured. Results showed that the serum concentrations of glucose in insulin-injected dogs were not significantly different with those of the C. colocynthis-administered diabetic dogs. The serum concentrations of all measured parameters showed no significant change 8 days after the administration of C. colocynthis in the control group, whereas oral administration (capsule) of C. colocynthis at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day caused severe and mild diarrhoea in the control and C. colocynthis-treated diabetic groups, respectively. The present study indicated a significant antihyperglycaemic effect of C. colocynthis fruit and supports its traditional usage in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Comparative effects of Citrullus colocynthis, sunflower and olive oil-enriched diet in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats

Citrullus colocynthis (colocynth) seeds are traditionally used as antidiabetic medication in Mediterranean countries. The present study evaluated the differential effects of diets enriched with C. colocynthis, sunflower or olive oils on the pancreatic β-cell mass in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. STZ injection induced rapid hyperglycaemia in all animals. However, 2 months later, hyperglycaemia was significantly less pronounced in the rats fed a C. colocynthis oil-enriched diet compared with other rat groups (7.9 mM versus 12 mM and 16 mM with colocynth versus olive and sunflower oils, respectively). Assessment of insulin sensitivity using the homoeostasis model assessment (HOMA) method also indicated less insulin resistance in the rats fed a C. colocynthis oil-enriched diet versus the other rats. Finally, 2 months after STZ injection, the pancreatic β-cell mass was similar in both the STZ-treated rats fed the colocynth oil-enriched diet and their controls fed the same diet. In contrast, the pancreatic β-cell mass remained lower in the STZ-induced diabetic rats fed with olive oil- and sunflower oil-enriched diets compared with the C. colocynthis group. We conclude that C. colocynthis oil supplementation may have a beneficial effect by partly preserving or restoring pancreatic β-cell mass in the STZ-induced diabetes rat model.

Chemical Characterization and Edibility of the Oil Extracted from Citrullus colocynthis Seeds

ABSTRACTThe characteristics and composition of the crude oil extracted from Citrullus colocynthis seeds were examined. Data obtained for the iodine value, saponification number, Reichert‐Meissl and others compare well with other edible oils. Thin‐layer chromatography in conjunction with gas‐liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry revealed over 75% degree of unsaturation major among which were linoleic, 50.6% and oleic acids, 25%. Upon storage, the oil showed relatively low peroxide values that were within the acceptable limits set for other vegetable oils. Animal experimentation trials on the oil using chicks as the experimental animals did not show any toxicity effects. Based on these results, Citrullus colocynthis oil might be of some potential use for animal feed and/or human consumption.