A Review on Citrullus colocynthis Schrad.: From Traditional Iranian Medicine to Modern Phytotherapy

The document reviews the use of Citrullus colocynthis in traditional Iranian medicine (TIM) and modern phytotherapy, noting its various pharmacological effects including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and hair growth-promoting properties. Modern studies have confirmed some of these effects, such as antidiabetic properties in a clinical trial with 50 patients and hypolipidemic effects in another trial. The review highlights the potential for adverse events like colic, diarrhea, and nephrosis, and discusses the differences in dosage and use of correctives between TIM and modern phytotherapy. It suggests that integrating TIM principles could help reduce adverse events and calls for more research on the plant's safety. Conditions treated with C. colocynthis in TIM but not yet evaluated in modern studies are also mentioned.