Citrullus colocynthis (Kolokent) : medicinal properties in alcoholic extraction

Citrullus colocynthis (Kolokent) — family Cucurbitacée.

This database documents alcoholic (ethanol) extractions of active substances. Our monograph currently lists 8 indications in alcoholic extraction for this species. The monograph draws on 131 scientific references recorded for the species.

Therapeutic indications in alcoholic extraction:

Note: scientific reference excerpts are kept in their original language (most often English), without translation, to respect the source text of publications.

1. Convulsion : Plant part used: Fruit. Documented pharmacological profile: Flumazenil-like.
   According to Mehrzadi S (2016): Animals received pretreatments with naloxone & flumazenil to further clarify the mechanisms of anticonvulsant action. This study investigated the anticonvulsant activity of Citrullus colocynthis fruit extract used traditionally in the treatment of convulsion.
2. Male infertility, low testosterone levels : Plant part used: Fruit. Documented pharmacological profile: Testosterone-like.
   According to Chaturvedi M (2003): The serum testosterone levels also showed a similar pattern. Significantly reduced cauda epididymis sperm motility & density, number of pups, fertility, and circulatory levels of testosterone were observed in all treatment groups. According to Mohammadzadeh A (2022): At the end of the experimental period (30 days), in diabetic rats, glucose increased, & body & testis weight, luteinizing hormone (LH) & testosterone levels, & sperm count decreased significantly & histopathological injuries were observed.
3. Type II diabetes mellitus : Plant part used: Sheet. Documented pharmacological profile: Glibenclamide-like.
   According to SHI C (2014): Citrullus colocynthis is one of the most common traditional plants used as remedy against diabetes mellitus. Current studies have elaborated diabetes mellitus as one of the most prevalent endocrine disorders throughout the world. According to Aggarwal V (2012): Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal (120 mg/kg b.w.) injection of alloxan monohydrate for three days & the animals showing blood glucose level in the range of 175-300 mg/dL were selected for study.

Further indications (including other extraction modes where applicable), dosages, precautions for use and full scientific references are available in the complete monograph.

Photo credit : Photo by H. Zell without modification (CC BY-SA 3.0). License : CC BY-SA 3.0.