in genitourinary disorders; as
anthelmintic against tapeworms. Dried pulp is administered in haemptysis.
The lipids isolated from the seeds included glycerides, sterol esters, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol. The aqueous extract of seeds showed potent gastroprotective activity against ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats.
In Chinese medicine, Cucurbita moschata flower is used injaundice, dysentery and cough; the root in jaundice, strangury, galactostasis and dysentery; the stem in irregular menstruation and scalds.
Cucurbita pepo Linn.
Family Cucurbitaceae.
Habitat Native to N. Mexico and eastern U.S.A. Now commonly
cultivated in Northern India.
English Pumpkin, Marrow.
Unani Safed Kaddu, Kumhraa.
Siddha Suraikayi (Tamil).
Action See C. maxima.
Key application Seeds—in irritated bladder condition, micturition
problems of benign prostatic
Cuminum cyminum Linn.
Family Cucurbitaceae.
hyperplasia stages 1 and 2. (German Commission E, The British Herbal
Pharmacopoeia.) In childhood enuresis noctruna. (Expanded Commission E.)
The roasted and fresh seeds yield 32.2 and 38.0% of fatty oil respectively. The oil filled capsules were administered to patients suffering from hypertrophy of the prostate. Results showed that the frequent urge to urinate decreased and the urine residues were minimized.
The oil consists of the glycerides of linoleic 45, oleic 25, palmitic and stearic acids 30%. Sterols have been isolated.
Cuminum cyminum Linn.
Family Umbellferae; Apiaceae.
Habitat Native to the Mediterranean region; now cultivated in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
