Ethnomedicinal Cucurbitaceae Fruit In Nanded, Maharashtra, India For Primary Health Care.

Abstract

The use of Family Cucurbitaceae fruit vegetables as a source of food are well- documented all over the world. However, some of the vegetables have since found their way into the database of medicinal plants. The purpose of this study was to assess the medicinal value of fruit vegetables consumed by local people of Nanded District, Maharashtra state of India. This article aims to systematically document and bridge scientific evidences with the ethnopharmacological and folklore claims belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. The Cucurbitaceae family is a large group of crops with more than 800 species known worldwide. In current article, twelve fruit vegetables of family Cucurbitaceae reported to have ethnopharmacological and medicinal values. Cucurbit plants are rich in carotenoids, terpenoids, saponins, and phytochemicals. Vegetables from the Cucurbitaceae family have a positive influence on human health, and various studies have clearly indicated that cucurbit vegetables have antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and purgative properties. This review evaluates the current literature about vegetables from the Cucurbitaceae family and their products, in addition to their positive effect on human health.