Luffa acutangula (Cucurbitaceae), a perennial plant grows mainly in India, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Egypt, and other parts of Africa, it is widely used in the traditional Indian medicinal system to treat various health conditions. The plant has been used in jaundice, diabetes, hemorrhoids, dysentery, headache, ringworm infection, and leprosy. More than 50 chemical compounds have been isolated from a plant which mainly comprises flavonoids, anthraquinones, proteins, fatty acids, saponin triterpene, volatile components, and other phytoconstituents. Crude extract of plant and its isolated compounds possess broad pharmacological activities such as antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antiulcer, anticancer, immunomodulatory, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, CNS depressant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory. The toxicological evaluation in preclinical studies reported safety of the plant for human consumption, but comprehensive evaluation in clinical studies is required. However, further investigation is necessary for transformation of experience based treatment of plant into evidence based information. Evaluation of pharmacological activity with indicative biomarkers will help to reveal the mechanism of action of chemical constituents of plant extract. The data from preclinical studies recommends clinical evaluation of safety and efficacy of the plant. The current paper summarizes up-to-date information about a review of the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and toxicology to highlight the future prospects of the plant.

Citrullus lanatus (Cucurbitaceae) is conventionally used for the treatment of urinary tract infection, renal stones, hypertension, diabetes and diarrhoea. Current study evaluates acute & 28 days repeated toxicity ethanolic extract of Citrullus lanatus seed (EECLS) in Wistar rats to measure its safety profile. The single dose (2000 mg/kg BW) of EECLS was administered while in 28 days repeated study 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg BW were administered orally in rat. Parameters such as biochemical, haematology and histopathology were analysed in subacute toxicity study. During study, no apparent sign of toxicity, behavioural changes and mortality were detected in acutely exposed animals. In 28-days repeated toxicity study, rats have showed no significant changes in behaviour, gross pathology, body weight, biochemical and haematological parameters. Abridged serum glucose and cholesterol levels during the study designates its role in treatment of hyperglycaemic and hyperlipidaemic condition. No significance difference was observed in histopathology of liver and kidneys of treated rats. The current investigation demonstrated EECLS is non-toxic below 1000 mg/kg BW and provides protection on some body organs. The data propose that LD₅₀ of EECLS was greater than 2000 mg/kg BW and the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of EECLS was at dose of 1000mg/kg in rats. Taken together, our finding suggests that, EECLS is safe & provide some protection to body organ, Also, extract can be used for further preclinical & clinical evaluation for its therapeutic activity.

Lagenaria siceraria (Cucurbitaceae) is traditionally known to be used for the treatment of diabetes, ulcer, jaundice, cardiovascular disease, hemorrhoids, and colitis. This study involves evaluation of acute and subacute toxicity of methanolic extract of L. siceraria fruit (MELSF) in rats for assessment of its safety profile. For acute oral toxicity, single dose (2000 mg/kg body weight) of extract was administered in female Wister rats while in the subacute study the extract was given at doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg orally over 28 d in male and female rats. No evidence of toxicity was observed in animals when acutely exposed to MELSF, implying that the LD₅₀ is higher than 2000 mg/kg body weight. Further, repeated administration of the extract for 28 d did not alter any hematological and biochemical parameters and no significant changes were observed in organ and body weight of control and treated groups. Histopathological assessment was normal in kidney and liver. Thus, the present investigation shows that MELSF, at dosage levels up to 1000 mg/kg, is nontoxic and can show protection of some body tissues when administered for 28 d and therefore can be considered safe. This study supports the application of L. siceraria in traditional medicine.