Evaluation of Phytochemicals and Anticancer Potential of C. Maxima: An In-Silico Molecular Docking Approach

The study evaluated the phytochemical profiles and anticancer potential of Cucurbita maxima extracts, focusing on the pulp, peel, and seeds. The aqueous seed extract at 50 °C for 2 hours showed the highest phytoconstituent levels and was analyzed using GCMS. Key compounds identified, such as Guanosine and 8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic acid, demonstrated strong binding affinities with cancer-related proteins p53 and FGFR1, with binding energies of -7.2 and -6.3 kcal/mol, respectively. These findings suggest that the aqueous seed extract of C. maxima has significant potential for breast cancer treatment, warranting further in vitro and in vivo studies.