Citrullus lanatus

The present study was performed with the objectives of elaborating the larvicidal efficacy of Methanolic extract of Citrullus lanatus (MECL) leaves against Anopheles stephensi, Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti. It has been reported used widely in traditional herbal medicine. The leaves of Citrullus lanatus is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, mosquitocidal,    gonorrhea and anti-microbial property. The larvicidal activity of plant extract was carried out on late 3rd and early 4th instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi, a primary vector of urban malaria, Culex quinquefaciatus, a common vector of filariasis, Aedes aegypti, common vector of dengue and yellow fever. LC50 and LC90 of MECL were determined against Anopheles stephensi, Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti by using Abbott’s formula. LC50 and LC 90 of MECL against Anopheles stephensi were found to be 84.23ppm & 989.396ppm. LC50 and LC90 of MECL against Culex quinquefasciatus were found to be 51.31ppm &405.88ppm. The LC50 was found to be 2645ppm or 2.645%v/v for Aedes agypti. The LC90 value was found to be 138326ppm or 138.326%v/v for Aedes agypti The results of the present study suggest that methanolic extract of Citrullus lanatus showed promising larvicidal activity against important vectors of malaria, filarial, dengue, dengue haemorrhagic fever, yellow fever, chikungunya.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the hydroalcoholic extract of seeds of Citrullus lanatus for its protective effect on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The eight study groups contained six rats in each group. Nephrotoxicity was induced in male Wistar rats by subcutaneous administration of gentamicin 80 mg/kg.bd. wt. for nine days. Based on acute toxicity studies, doses of extract selected were 200 and 400mg/kg bd.wt. and administered orally for ten days. Effect of hydroalcoholic extract on gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity was determined using blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, serum total protein levels and urinary total proteins and urinary creatinine as indicators of kidney damage. Anti-oxidant studies were carried out and histological studies were also conducted in kidney tissue. Gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity which was indicated by increased levels of blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, serum total proteins, urinary total proteins and urinary creatinine levels. Extract alleviated the gentamicin-induced effects on serum markers and urinary functional parameters. Dose dependent decrease in LPO levels and increased levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione also supported the nephroprotector activity of extract. In histopathological studies gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity was indicated by degenerative changes in kidney tissues, congestion with hemorrhages where as marked regenerative changes were observed in kidney sections of animals which received higher dose of the extract. Present study reveals that the hydroalcoholic extract of seeds of Citrullus lanatus attenuated the nephrotoxicity induced by Gentamicin in rats.

Anti diabetic screening of Methanolic extract of Cirullus lanatus (MECL) was done by various in vitro methods. Preliminary phytochemical screening, total phenolic and flavonoid content, tannin content and estimation of Vitamins (B1, B2 and C) were done by standard procedure. TLC & HPTLC of MECL was done by using Quercetin, Gallic acid and Catechin as a standard. Screening of in vitro anti diabetic activity was done by Inhibition of α-amylase & α-glucosidase enzyme assay, Glucose uptake in yeast cells and Non - enzymatic glycosylation of Hemoglobin assay. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of carbohydrates, triterpenoids, proteins, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, sterols and absence of glycosides, volatile and fixed oil. The amount of Phenolic content (in terms mg GAE/g of extract), Flavonoids (mg Quercetin equivalent/g of extract) and Tannin content (mg Tannic acid/g of extract) present in the MECL were found to be 47.05±0.338, 89.99±0.30 and 290.9 ± 0.12mg/g respectively. The amount of Vitamin B1, B2 and C of MECL were found to be 56.28 ± 0.004, 245.37 ± 0.06 and 34.00 ± 0.009mg/g respectively. TLC & HPTLC qualitative estimation confirmed the presence of Quercetin, Gallic acid and Catechin in MECL. In Non-enzymatic glycosylation of hemoglobin assay, IC50 value was found to be 65.648µg/ml and 59.762µg/ml for MECL and α-Tocopherol respectively. MECL exhibited significant inhibition of glycosylation as compared with the standard drug α-Tocopherol. Glucose uptake assay in yeast cells, IC50 value was found to be 77.031µg/ml and 67.408µg/ml for MECL and Acarbose respectively. MECL showed greater efficiency in increasing the glucose uptake by yeast cells as compared to standard drug Acarbose. Inhibition of α-amylase enzyme assay, IC50 value was found to be 58.558µg/ml and 47.880µg/ml for MECL and Acarbose respectively. MECL showed significant α-amylase activity as compared to Acarbose. In α-glucosidase inhibition assay, IC50 was found to be 627.270µg/ml & 482.188µg/ml for MECL and Acarbose respectively. Overall MECL showed significant in vitro anti diabetic activity may be due to Phenolic, Flavonoid, Vitamin and Tannin content. MECL may be used as good candidate for diabetic treatment. Furthermore, in vivo studies are required for providing scientific information on the plant.