Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

Cucurbitacins include cucurbitacin
E-, J-, L-glucosides. In addition, the
pulp contains caffeic acid derivatives
(chlorogenic acid).
Roots contain aliphatic compounds.
Ethanolic extract (50%) shows significant
anti-inflammatory activity in albino
rats.
Leaves and flowers contain quercetin
and kaempferol. The ethanolic extract
of leaves and flowers exhibits antibacterial
activity against a number
of Gram-positive and Gram-negative
bacteria.
The powder is toxic at 0.6–1.0 g. The
fruit exhibited carcinogenic activity in
animal studies.
Dosage ◮ Dried fruit—125–500 mg
powder. (API Vol. III.) Root—1–
3g.powder.(CCRAS.) Dried leaf—
for external use. (API Vol. II.)
Citrullus vulgaris Schrad.
Synonym ◮ C. lanatus (Thunb.)
Matsumura & Nakai.
Family ◮ Cucurbitaceae.
Habitat ◮ Cultivated throughout
India on sandy river beds, up to an
altitude of 1,500 m.
English ◮ Watermelon.
Ayurvedic ◮ Kalinga.
Unani ◮ Tarbuz.
Siddha ◮ Poiychaviral, Tharbuzapalam
(Tamil.
Action ◮ Pulp—cooling and
refreshing, a rich source of pectin,
carotenoids, surcose (as major
sugar). Fruit juice is prescribed in
Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle. 153
strangury and urinary complaints,
also in hepatic congestion and
intestinal catarrh. Seeds—cooling,
purgative, diuretic, demulcent (used
in urinary infections). Leaves—
febrifuge. The pericarp is given in
diarrhoea.
Watermelon juice contains citrullin
(0.17%) and arginine, which are
thought to increase urea production
in the liver, thus increasing the flow of
urine.
The seeds possess a high lipase activity
comparable to that of wheat germ, in
addition to high lipoxygenase, urease
and trypsin-inhibitor activities. Aqueous
extract of the seeds also exhibit
amylase inhibitor activity. The seed oil
is used as a substitute for almond oil.
The roots of mature plant contain
a triterpene, bryonolic acid. Bryonolic
acid possesses a stronger antiallergic
activity with lesser side effects than that
of glycyrrhetinic acid, the aglycone of
glycyrrhizin, used clinically in Japan
for the treatment of allergy and hepatitis.
Citrus aurantifolia
(Christm.) Swingle.
Synonym ◮ C. medica L. var. acida
(Roxb.) Hook. f.
Family ◮ Rutaceae.
Habitat ◮ Wild in the warm valleys
of the outer Himalayas. Cultivated
in the plains.
English ◮ Acid or Sour Lime,
Country Lime.
Ayurvedic ◮ Nimbuka.
C