Ecballium elaterium
Ecballium elaterium, commonly known as squirting cucumber, is a distinctive medicinal plant native to the Mediterranean. Renowned for its potent purgative properties, it contains cucurbitacins that act as powerful irritants. While historically used to treat constipation and kidney issues, its extreme toxicity requires cautious, professional medicinal application.
- Scientific name: Ecballium elaterium
- Family: Cucurbitaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following its placement in the subclass Magnoliidae and order Cucurbitales, it is a member of the family Cucurbitaceae. Finally, it is specifically identified under the genus Ecballium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Cucurbitales | WCVP |
| Family | Cucurbitaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ecballium | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several European regions. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, it is found in Germany as well as the territories of Czechia and Slovakia. The species also inhabits the landscape of Hungary within the central part of the continent. Finally, in Southwestern Europe, the plant is located among the Baleares islands.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
Chemicals
Ecballium elaterium has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CuE, Cucurbitacin E, cucurbitacin B, cucurbitacin E, cucurbitacins.
- Total chemicals
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| CuE | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cucurbitacin E | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cucurbitacin B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cucurbitacin E | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cucurbitacins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Ecballium elaterium has 5 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiproliferative, Anticancer, Antioxidant, Apoptotic, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antiproliferative | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Apoptotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ecballium elaterium has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include sinusitis, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, epilepsy, fibrosis.
- Total uses
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| sinusitis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epilepsy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fibrosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatocellular carcinoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| immune disorders | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhinosinusitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |