Pharmacological and Phytochemical Updates on Citrullus Colocynthis and Citrullus Lanatus

The document from 2020 reviews the pharmacological and phytochemical properties of Citrullus colocynthis and Citrullus lanatus, highlighting their traditional use in folk medicine and potential therapeutic applications. Citrullus colocynthis extracts have shown promise as a lipoxygenase inhibitor, potentially aiding in cancer treatment, and have demonstrated antioxidant and free radical scavenging abilities. Notably, a petroleum ether extract of Citrullus colocynthis promoted hair growth in an androgen-induced alopecia model in mice, comparable to finasteride. Citrullus lanatus has been associated with a range of pharmacological activities, including antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects. A clinical trial involving 50 type II diabetic patients indicated that Citrullus colocynthis powder significantly reduced HbA1c and fasting blood glucose levels. However, toxic effects on the reproductive system were observed in female Sprague-Dawley rats, and antifertility effects were noted in male albino rats. The document also details the methods used to evaluate the plants' properties, such as lipoxygenase and hyaluronidase inhibition assays, and the determination of total phenolics and flavonoids content.