Citrullus colocynthis
Citrullus colocynthis, commonly known as bitter apple or colocynth, is a desert-dwelling plant valued in traditional medicine. Renowned for its potent purgative properties, it contains bioactive cucurbitacins. While used historically to treat digestive ailments and skin conditions, its extreme toxicity requires careful handling and precise medicinal application.
- Scientific name: Citrullus colocynthis
- Family: Cucurbitaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Cucurbitales, it is classified under the family Cucurbitaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Citrullus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Cucurbitales | WCVP |
| Family | Cucurbitaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Citrullus | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical presence across several regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, its distribution can be observed specifically within Germany and Hungary. Moving toward the Mediterranean, the species is found in Southwestern Europe, inhabiting areas such as Spain and the island of Corse. Furthermore, its range extends into Southeastern Europe, where it is documented in Bulgaria. Consequently, these locations highlight the plant's ability to adapt to various European climates.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Bulgaria | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Romania | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Sicilia | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
Chemicals
Citrullus colocynthis has 44 reported phytochemicals identified across 57 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, cucurbitacins, glycosides, polyphenols, fatty acids.
- Total chemicals
- 44
- Scientific sources
- 57
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| cucurbitacins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| glycosides | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| fatty acids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (1S,2R)-2-(4-allyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenoxy)-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (S)-5-Allyl-2-((1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)propan-2-yl)oxy)-1,3-dimethoxybenzene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 4-isopropyl-1,6-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 8-hydroxyquinoline | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bax | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Citrullus colocynthis has 21 reported activities identified across 70 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Anticancer, Antibacterial, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 21
- Scientific sources
- 70
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 13 | ★★★★★ |
| Antidiabetic | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| Anticancer | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antibacterial | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Abortifacient | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypoglycemic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Citrullus colocynthis has 67 reported medicinal uses identified across 98 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, antidiabetic, Escherichia coli, jaundice, Candida albicans.
- Total uses
- 67
- Scientific sources
- 98
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| antidiabetic | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| jaundice | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diabetes mellitus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |