From Neglected Desert Vine to Promising Bio-Resource: Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, Poultry Applications, and Ecological Significance of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.
Aug 2026· Biology· Vol 15· 0 citations· 162 references
TL;DR
Collectively, the available evidence indicates that C. colocynthis is a promising source of bioactive compounds with potential pharmaceutical, veterinary, and ecological applications, although rigorous scientific validation is required before its safe and effective utilization can be recommended.
Abstract
Simple Summary Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple) is a drought-tolerant medicinal plant traditionally used to treat various disorders and increasingly investigated for its pharmacological, agricultural, and ecological potential. Available studies suggest that its bioactive compounds possess diverse biological activities, while preliminary evidence indicates possible applications in poultry nutrition and rangeland restoration. Despite a rich history in traditional medicine, its modern application is severely restricted by inherent organ toxicity, extreme bitterness, invasive growth habits, and highly variable bioactive compound concentrations that complicate safe dosage standardization. To safely unlock the plant’s full therapeutic and agricultural value, future research must urgently prioritize toxicity reduction strategies, establish standardized extraction protocols, and conduct robust clinical and feeding trials.
This review critically summarizes and analyzes the published data on the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical profile of various parts of C. pseudolimon and compares them with known pharmacological activities to form the basis of a reference framework for additional drug discovery, nutraceutical development and functional food applications based on C. pseudolimon.
Chanderpriya Agarwal, Anshu Gupta, R. Saini et al.· Genetics and Molecular Resea...· 0 citations
This review provides a comprehensive overview of the phytochemical composition, biological activities, and bioeconomic potential of five selected woody species occurring in the Karditsa region and identifies future research directions for the sustainable exploitation of selected woody flora from the Karditsa region.
Christos Chiolos, V. Athanasiadis, Ekaterini Koura et al.· Applied Sciences· 0 citations
It is suggested that S. plumosa is a valuable source of naturally occurring bioactive compounds with potential applications in pharmaceutical, veterinary, and food-related fields and the importance of exploring underutilized desert plants as reservoirs of novel biologically active metabolites.
Rehab M. A. El-Desoukey, Mashail N. Alzain, F. Albarakaty· Biology· 0 citations
Oroxylum indicum (l.) Benth. ex Kurz is an edible medicinal plant found in the South and Southeast Asian regions. Local populations utilise various parts of the plant including its pendulous-sword-like fruits, night-blooming flowers, thin-papery seeds and compound leaves as sources of medicine and food. Among its numerous phytochemicals, flavonoids, particularly the baicalein, are the most abundantly found compound. The baicalein is recognised for its potent antioxidant, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, showing promises for the treatment of cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Despite these benefits and potentials, it is dangerous to assume all the natural plant-derived compounds are non-toxic and safe for consumption without proper scientific investigation focusing on their potential chronic toxicity for long term consumption. Therefore, a literature search was conducted using selected databases, namely PubMed, ScienceDirect and Scopus, with the keyword “Oroxylum indicum” and “baicalein” to collate relevant peer-reviewed literature for critical appraisal. The retrieved articles were critically reviewed to provide a comprehensive overview of the O. indicum, covering its ethnopharmacological uses, therapeutic potentials, scientific extraction techniques and toxicological evaluation of its major phytoconstituent – baicalein, for the benefit of future research. The insights gathered here could provide a critical information and knowledge for the regulatory agencies, consumers and manufacturers interested in food and natural products derived from O. indicum, helping to mitigate the risk associated with potential misuse and ensuring safer consumption.
M. Y. Yeap, F. Othman, S. Mohd et al.· Plant Science Today· 0 citations
Tagetes spp (marigolds) is a genus of multifunctional plants that has been recognised to have ornamental, cultural, agricultural and therapeutic value. In the last ten years, the complex phytochemical profile of the genus, including thiophenes, flavonoids, terpenoids, carotenoids and essential oils, explaining a range of biological activities, has been characterised by intensive scientific research. These pharmacological activities include antifungal, antimicrobial, nematocidal, insecticidal, allelopathic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and wound-healing activities. As a result, Tagetes spp have been put at the centre of bioresources at the nexus of sustainable agriculture, pharmacology and biotechnology. The recent advances in nanotechnology, synthetic analogues and agro-waste valorisation have expanded their functional use. However, most of the available research is limited to in vitro experiments with limited evidence on field experiments, in vivo models and clinical settings. Moreover, lack of standardised extraction methods, optimal dose schedules and the tiring ecological safety studies restrain the translational capacity of these plants. The current review is a synthesis of phytochemical, ecological and biomedical knowledge between 2015-2025, hence, provides a consistent framework of the rational utilisation of Tagetes spp in crop protection and human health.
Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw. (chayote), a neglected and underutilized Cucurbitaceae crop widely cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions, has drawn growing interest as a source of health-promoting food components. This review critically synthesizes studies published between 2000 and 2026 on its botanical features, genome characterization, nutritional value, phytochemistry, bioactivities, safety, and food-industry applications, based on literature retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library. Different plant parts (fruits, leaves, seeds, tuberous roots, and peels) contain diverse bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, cucurbitacins, pectin polysaccharides, and carotenoids. Reported bioactivities include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, cardioprotective, antiproliferative, and geroprotective effects, mediated in part through Nrf2-mediated antioxidant signaling and sirtuin (SIRT1/3/5/6) upregulation. Notably, a systematic meta-analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in serum glucose (MD = −20.56; 95% CI: −29.35 to −11.77) and HbA1c following three months of chayote intake in patients with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Industrially, chayote has been developed into fermented products, starch- and peel-derived bioactive films, ultrasound-extracted pectin, α-amylase inhibitory seed protein isolates, and probiotic encapsulation systems. Recent genomic work has further revealed a chromosome-level genome assembly, whole-genome duplication events, and a domestication history tracing to Mexico’s Oaxaca region. Collectively, this evidence positions chayote as a promising underutilized resource for food, nutraceutical, and biomedical use, while highlighting key gaps: the need for standardized clinical trials, bioavailability studies, and comprehensive safety evaluation.
Muhammad Bilal, Asad Abbas, Ralf Weiskirchen et al.· Foods· 0 citations
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