A Review on the Biologically Active Substances and Nutritional Value of Field Pumpkin (Curcubita pepo L.)

Abstract

Field pumpkin (Curcubita pepo) is an herbaceous annual leafy vegetable widely used as food and medicine around the world. Field pumpkin constitutes an important component in man’s diet, especially in developing countries. It is one of the most palatable leafy vegetables ever known in the Southwestern Nigeria. It is needed to complement staples in diet, supplying essential minerals and vitamins that may not be obtained wholly or solely from staples. Field pumpkin have hidden sources of essential nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, dietary fibres, minerals and phytonutrients of high biological activities. The nutraceutical product, medicinal value, nutri-protective effects and its use in therapeutics has not been widely exploits. A survey from literatures shows that more than 40 different active compounds were isolated from Cucurbitaceae family. Meanwhile, different parts of field pumpkin contain high content of diverse bioactives ranging from vitamins to plant bioactives compounds. Nutraceuticals derived from different parts of this leafy vegetable can be used as products for enhancing clinical conditions like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases. It can also serve as antiinflamatory, haepatoprotective, anticancerous and neuroprotective. Exploitation of different parts of field pumpkin and their consumption can contribute and offer various nutraceuticals that can be of therapeutics and pharmacological benefits.