Citrullus lanatus,
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Citrullus lanatus Common Names: Watermelon, Cow melon, Desert
watermelon, Wild watermelon Scientific
Classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Clade: Rosids Order: Cucurbitales Family: Cucurbitaceae Genus: Citrullus Species: C. lanatus Synonyms: Anguria citrullus Mill., Citrullus amarus Schrad., Citrullus anguria (Duchesne) H.Hara, Citrullus aquosus Schur, Citrullus battich Forssk., Citrullus caffer Schrad., Citrullus vulgaris Schrad., Colocynthis citrullus (L.) Kuntze, Cucumis citrullus (L.) Ser., Cucurbita citrullus L., Momordica lanata Thunb. Morphological Description Citrullus lanatus is an annual, monoecious vine with a climbing or prostrate
growth habit, extending up to 3–5 meters. Its morphology includes: · Stem: Long, slender, and hairy when young, becoming glabrous with
age; equipped with branched, curly tendrils aiding in climbing (Renner et al.,
2021). · Leaves: Broad, ovate to triangular (6–20 cm × 4–15 cm), deeply 3–5
lobed with pinnate venation, hairy, and rough-textured; petioles are 2–10 cm
long (Chomicki & Renner, 2015). · Flowers: Unisexual, solitary, yellow to pale yellow (1–2 cm
diameter), borne on hairy pedicels (2–4 cm); male flowers have 3 stamens,
female flowers have an inferior ovary; blooming sequentially with males
appearing first (Fern, 2024). · Fruit and Seeds: A pepo (modified berry), 20–60 cm in
diameter, with a thick, green rind (often striped) and juicy flesh (red, pink,
yellow, or white); contains numerous flat, black, or brown seeds (0.5–1 cm)
embedded in the flesh (Mutshinyalo & Malatji, 2012). Distribution and Habitat Citrullus lanatus is a globally cultivated species with origins in southern
Africa: · Geographic Range: Native to the Kalahari region (South
Africa, Botswana, Namibia); spread to Mediterranean Europe, India (7th
century), China (10th century), and the Americas (16th century); now grown in
over 100 countries, with China producing 67% of global supply (Renner et al.,
2021). · Habitat: Thrives in warm, temperate climates with temperatures of
24–27°C; prefers loose, well-drained, loamy soils (pH 6.5–7.5) rich in organic
matter; common in agricultural fields, home gardens, and disturbed areas;
tolerates semi-arid conditions (Fern, 2024). · Ecological Role: Acts as a water reservoir in arid regions;
its seeds are dispersed by animals and water; cultivated varieties are
pollinated by bees, while wild types (e.g., C. lanatus var. amarus) are considered invasive in Australia
(Mutshinyalo & Malatji, 2012). Ethnopharmacology Citrullus lanatus, commonly known as watermelon, is not only a popular fruit but
also has notable medicinal properties attributed to its various parts, including
the seeds, rind, leaves, and pulp. It possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory,
diuretic, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, antiulcer, and antimicrobial
properties. The seeds are traditionally used to treat urinary tract infections,
inflammation, and hypertension due to their diuretic and cardioprotective
effects. The fruit pulp is rich in lycopene, citrulline, vitamins A and C, and
helps combat oxidative stress, supports heart health, and improves hydration.
The rind and leaves also exhibit medicinal effects and are sometimes used in
traditional remedies for gastrointestinal issues, wound healing, and fever
reduction. Phytochemical constituents such as flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins,
and phenolic compounds contribute to these therapeutic actions. While widely
consumed and generally safe, its medicinal applications benefit from further
clinical validation. · Antidiarrheal and Antispasmodic: In Pakistan and India, seeds treat diarrhea.
Hydroethanolic seed extracts (200 mg/kg) reduced intestinal peristalsis by 60%
in mice, with antispasmodic effects via calcium channel blockade, comparable to
verapamil (Wahid et al., 2022). · Bronchodilator: In
Northern Sudan, seed infusions manage asthma. Ethanol seed extracts relaxed
tracheal contractions by 50% in carbachol-induced rabbit models, supporting its
use for respiratory disorders (Wahid et al., 2022). · Anti-urolithiatic and Diuretic: In Nigeria, seeds treat urinary tract infections and
kidney stones. Pulp extracts (400 mg/kg) reduced calcium oxalate crystal counts
by 70% in rat kidneys and increased urine output by 30%, validating diuretic
claims (Siddiqui et al., 2018). · Antioxidant
Activity: Citrullus lanatus
fruits are rich in bioactive compounds, including glycosides, carotenoids,
flavonoids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and essential oils.
Cucurbitacins, bitter-tasting compounds found in watermelon, exhibited potent
antioxidant activity, with a study showing that fruit extracts scavenged up to
75% of DPPH radicals at 100 µg/mL, highlighting their potential in combating
oxidative stress and supporting anti-oncogenic properties through inhibition of
tumor cell proliferation (Sorokina et al., 2021). · Anti-inflammatory
and Antidiarrheal Effects:
C. lanatus exerts therapeutic benefits by modulating contractile responses
through calcium-mediated signaling target proteins, demonstrating
bronchodilator and antidiarrheal properties. In vivo studies revealed that seed
extracts at 200 mg/kg reduced diarrhea frequency by 60% in castor oil-induced
diarrheal mice and relaxed tracheal contractions by 70% in isolated guinea pig
trachea, supporting its traditional use in managing diarrhea and asthma (Wahid
& Saqib, 2022). · Hepatoprotective
Effects: The flavonoid-rich
fraction of C. lanatus seed showed significant hepatoprotective effects against
ethanol-induced kidney injury. In Wistar rats, administration of the extract at
400 mg/kg for 28 days reduced serum creatinine levels by 45% and increased
glutathione levels by 30%, indicating its potential in mitigating oxidative
kidney damage and restoring renal function (Bazabang et al., 2023). ⚠ Toxicity Profile: Citrullus lanatus is generally safe, but high doses of seed
extracts (>2,000 mg/kg) showed no acute toxicity (LD₅₀ > 2,000 mg/kg) in
rats, though mild gastrointestinal distress was noted. Leaf extracts at 50
μg/mL induced chromosomal aberrations (25.83%) in grasshopper spermatogonial
cells, suggesting cytogenotoxic potential at high concentrations. Excessive
fruit consumption may cause bloating due to high water (92%) and fiber content.
Allergic reactions are rare but reported in sensitive individuals (Belemkar,
2021; Akwanjoh et al., 2023). Additional Uses · Culinary: Flesh is consumed fresh, juiced, or used in salads and
desserts; seeds are roasted as snacks in Nigeria and ground into flour in
Sudan; rinds are pickled in the Americas · Cultural: In Southern Africa, tsamma melons are used as water storage
during droughts; seeds are used in traditional rituals in Pakistan. · Agricultural: Seedless varieties, developed via triploid breeding, are
popular globally; the plant enriches soil through nitrogen fixation in root
nodules · Cosmetic: Seed oil, rich in linoleic acid, is used in skincare
products for moisturizing and anti-aging properties. References
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| Compounds of Citrullus lanatus, | |
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