Table 1 Summarized data regarding the botanical sources and potential pharmacological effects of cucurbitacins

Cucumis sativus

(Cucumber)

Anticancer potential against liver cancer HepG2 cell

[28]

Cucurbita moschata

(Butternut Squash)

Anticancer potential

↓cells tumour growth

↑ribosome-inactivating proteins

[17, 29, 30]

Cucumis melo

(Melon)

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiulcer, anticancer, antimicrobial, diuretic, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, immunomodulator

[17, 29, 30]

Citrullus lanatus

(Watermelon)

Antidiabetes

[33]

Cucurbita pepo

(Pumpkin)

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, analgesic

Anti-carcinogenic, anti-proliferative

Pro-apoptotic properties against tumor cells

[17, 34]

Iberis amara

(Wild candytuft)

Anti-inflammatory

[39, 40]

Coutarea hexandra

(Coutarea)

Treatment of malaria, cancer, inflammation, and diabetes

[15]

Begonia nantoensis

Cytotoxic effect against cancer cell lines

[43]

Kageneckia oblonga

(Bollen)

Analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory

[44, 45]

Rubus chingii

(Chinese raspberry fruit)

Anti-ageing, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic

[46]

Russula lepida

(Russula)

Antitumor activity

[50]

Dorid nudibranchs

Cytotoxicity against cancer cells

[54]