Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad (Bitter Apple): An Overview of its Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Potential

Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad is an important cucurbit plant, commonly distributed in the sandy areas of the world. In the Indian continent it is mainly found in the North West, the Punjab and in Central and southern India. The Citrullus colocynthis plant is usually known for its traditional uses as a remedy in the treatment of asthma, diabetes, common cold, leprosy, cough, bronchitis, joint pain, jaundice, cancer, toothache, mastitis, and in gastrointestinal disorders such as gastroenteritis, indigestion, dysentery, constipation, colic pain and other microbial infections. Phytochemicaly the compounds like glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic acids fatty acids, carbohydrates and essential oils were reported from the plant and the main components isolated from the Citrullus colocynthis plant are Cucurbitacins. The plant has been studied extensively for its wide range of pharmacological activities, which include anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory antilipidemic, and insecticide but the therapeutic potential for cardiovascular, gut, airways and many other diseases remain to be explored.