Citrullus colocynthis (Kolokent) : medicinal properties in alcoholic extraction

Citrullus colocynthis (Kolokent, Coloquinte) — family Cucurbitacée.

Scientific synonyms : Citrullus colocynthoides Pangalo, C pseudocolocynthisM.Roem., Colocynthis officinalis Schrad., Colocynthis vulgaris Schrad., Cucumis bipinnatifidus Wight ex Naudin, C colocynthoides Schult., Cucurbita colocyntha Link.

This database documents alcoholic (ethanol) extractions of active substances. Our monograph currently lists 8 indications in alcoholic extraction for this species. The Lapo v2 catalogue records 131 scientific references for this species (full detail in the application).

Important — scientific references on this public page: only a short excerpt of each cited source is shown (selected abstract sentences), kept in the original language of the publication (most often English), without translation. These excerpts are not the full article text and are not a complete bibliography. The full reference records and complete monographic detail are available in the Lapo v2 application (free 30-day trial).

1. 1

   Cancer: adjuvant treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma

   Plant part used: Fruit.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to SAQBAN LH (2022)

     Excerpt Newly developed anticancer/antitumor medications appear to have been developed based on the extracted chemicals from CC due to the high contents of cucurbitacins. Several pharmacological investigations have been performed based on the medicinal application of Citrullus colocynthis.

   • According to ZHENG MS (2020)

     Excerpt colocynthis has shown to improve constipation, liver diseases, jaundice, typhoid fever, diabetes & asthma in traditional use. The main active ingredients of CC are cucurbitacin, flavonoids, alkaloids & phenolic acids, which have been proven to have antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-pathogenic microorganisms & anti-cancer activities in modern pharmacological research.

   • According to Dehghani F (2006)

     Excerpt One of these traditional medicines is Citrullus colocynthis, which is used by diabetic patients as an hypoglycemic agent, but it has been reported to cause gastrointestinal disorders after consumption in some patients. In the experimental groups a single daily dose of alcoholic extract of Citrullus colocynthis (50, 100, 200, 400 g/kg) was administered intraperitonally.

   • According to Yazit S. (2019)

     Excerpt These results indicated that the oral administration of FAMEs for 60 days significantly reduced abdominal fat index, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides & hepatic lipids, a result that may support the use of FAMES as a hypolipidemic agent in obesity related disorders.

   • According to Barth A (2002)

     Excerpt A standardized extract of Citrullus colocynthis used as an oral natural laxative in folk medicine was tested for its influence on liver function parameters in vitro. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) dependent production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under the influence of CC extract was investigated by means of stimulated lipid peroxidation (LPO), H2O2 formation & amplified chemiluminescence in rat liver microsomes.

2. 2

   Diabetic neuropathy

   Plant part used: Fruit. Mentioned synergistic association: Curcuma longa-Rhizome, association synergique avec MYRISTICA FRAGRANS-Houtt (Noix).

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to OSTOVAR M (n.d.)

     Excerpt This study investigated the biochemical, histopathological & physiological effects of Citrullus colocynthis on peripheral neuropathy in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Conclusion: The present study showed that CC fruit, through its antioxidant & hypoglycemic activities, has a positive effect in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy.

   • According to KAUSA MA (2025)

     Excerpt The present study investigates the therapeutic effects of an ethanolic polyherbal extract from Citrullus colocynthis (Bitter Apple), Curcuma longa (Turmeric), & Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg) using advanced in silico & analytical methods. Diabetic neuropathy is one of the severe complications of diabetes, which affects the quality of life in a patient & increases the risk of amputations & chronic wounds.

   • According to Heyderi M (2016)

     Excerpt The aim of the present study was to examine the safety & efficacy of a topical formulation of Citrullus colocynthis in patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy (PDPN).

   • According to GHAURI AO (2020)

     Excerpt In vivo study used streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes model of rats. Citrus colocynthis has known anti-diabetic potential.

   • According to SHI C (2014)

     Excerpt 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.

3. 3

   Type II diabetes mellitus

   Plant part used: Sheet.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to KAUSA MA (2025)

     Excerpt The present study investigates the therapeutic effects of an ethanolic polyherbal extract from Citrullus colocynthis (Bitter Apple), Curcuma longa (Turmeric), & Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg) using advanced in silico & analytical methods. Diabetic neuropathy is one of the severe complications of diabetes, which affects the quality of life in a patient & increases the risk of amputations & chronic wounds.

   • According to Aggarwal V (2012)

     Excerpt 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. colocynthis on the biochemical parameters of normal & alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

   • According to GHAURI AO (2020)

     Excerpt In vivo study used streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes model of rats. Citrus colocynthis has known anti-diabetic potential.

   • According to SHI C (2014)

     Excerpt 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 Cheng X (n.d.)

     Excerpt Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. In this review, the scientific evidence for the biological activity of CC against insecticide, cytotoxic, antidiabetic effects are summarized,.

Further indications (including other extraction modes where applicable), dosages, precautions for use, and the <strong>full scientific references</strong> (complete records, not only the short excerpts above) are available in the complete monographic record in the Lapo v2 application.