European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

A REVIEW ON PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS OF CUCURBITA MAXIMA

Saisree P. M.*, Karunakar Hegde and A. R. Shabaraya

ABSTRACT

C. maxima is an annual herb with thick climbing or creeping stems. The oval seeds can be white, cream, orange, or brown, and are composed of 34-54% oil. They are also packed with tryptophan and essential fatty acids. Pumpkins are grown all around the world for a variety of reasons. The pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) is grown extensively during monsoon and summer season across India. Pumpkin seeds contain many valuable functional components and have been traditionally used for herbal, therapeutic as well as clinical application. Pumpkin seeds represent a potent functional food against heart disease, osteoporosis, bladder dysfunction, anxiety, and arthritis. On the basis of its usage in folk medicine and presence of tryptophan required for treatment of anxiety, it is hypothesized that Cucurbita maxima seeds may possess antianxiety property. However, no scientific data are available in the published form. Hence the seed of the pumpkin is selected for the evaluation of antianxiety study.

Keywords: Cucurbita maxima, Anthelmintic, Immunomodulator.