Phytochemichl and antioxidant analysis of different parts of Citrullus colocynthis L. in different regions from Southeast of Iran

Citrullus colocynthis L. belonging to the cucurbitaceae family, is used to treat many diseases such as inflammation, rheumatism, and diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the total phenol and flavonoids content of different parts (leaf, seed, fruit pulp and peel) of C. colocynthis in Kerman, Iranshahr and Zabol habitats. All plant samples were collected from these habitats during June in 2017. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by using spectrophotometry method. Antioxidant activity of extracts was determined by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) radical scavenging assay. Based on the results, the most phenol content was observed in leaf extract of C. colocynthis in Kerman (52.19 mg/g DW) and Iranshahr (44.86 mg/g DW), respectively. Most of flavonoid content were in leaf of C. colocynthis in Kerman, in addition, it had the highest antioxidant activity (86percentage). The present study shows the potential of C. colocynthis leaf as a pharmaceutical agent and we hope this study encourage further studies to investigate its phytochemistry and pharmacology.