Phytochemical and Pharmacological Investigation of Lagenaria siceraria, Cucumis sativus and Cucurbita maxima

Abstract

Objective: Cucurbitaceae family is major source of medicinal agents since ancient time. Various plants parts of this family have been established for their pharmacological potential. The aim of present study was to investigate of phytochemical and pharmacological properties of leaves of the Lagenaria siceraria, Cucumis sativus and Cucurbita maxima (Family: Cucurbitaceae). Methods: By conducting preliminary phytochemical group tests of the crude extracts of leaves of the plants phytochemical study was done. The Folin-Ciocalteu reagent was used to determine the total phenolic content of the crude extracts of leaves and were expressed as Gallic acid equivalents per gram of extract. Aluminium chloride colorimetric method was used to determine the total flavonoid contents. Phosphomolybdenum method was used to evaluate the total antioxidant capacity of the extracts and was expressed as ascorbic acid equivalents per gram of extract. Results: Different phytoconstituents including carbohydrate, glycoside, saponin, steroids & alkaloids were found during the investigation. Methanol extract of Cucurbita maxima was found to contain the highest amount of phenols. Petroleum ether extract of Lagenaria siceraria was found to contain the highest amount of flavonoid. Petroleum ether extract of Cucurbita maxima was found to possess the highest total antioxidant capacity. Each extract showed very poor DPPH scavenging property. Maximum scavenging of NO was found with methanol extract of Cucurbita maxima with an IC50 value of 0.126 μg/ml. The petroleum ether extract of Lagenaria siceraria showed maximum reducing capacity. Methanol extract of Cucurbita maxima showed high toxicity to Brine Shrimp nauplii, with LC50 of 16.98 μg/ml whereas anticancer drug vincristine sulphate showed LC50 value 0.699 μg/ml whereas other extracts showed moderate to low toxicity.    Conclusion: The results of the present study provide scientific basis for the use of Lagenaria siceraria, Cucumis sativus & Cucurbita maxima leaves as useful anti-oxidant & cytotoxic agents.