Crescentia Cujete (Crescentia cujete): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Crescentia cujete work as a cough remedy?

Crescentia cujete contains bioactive compounds including crescentin, saponins, and flavonoids that contribute to its respiratory effects. The saponins and phenolic compounds demonstrate expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to loosen mucus and soothe irritated respiratory passages. These compounds may reduce bronchial inflammation and support mucociliary clearance. The traditional preparation as a fruit syrup aligns with these pharmacological activities, though clinical evidence remains limited (Evidence Level C, Traditional).

Is Crescentia cujete safe during pregnancy?

No, Crescentia cujete is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided. Traditional evidence and the presence of saponins suggest potential risks, including possible stimulation of uterine contractions. Pregnant women should not use any preparations of this herb. Women who are breastfeeding should also consult a healthcare provider before use, as safety data for lactation is insufficient. This contraindication is well-established in traditional use (Evidence Level C).

What is the recommended dosage of Crescentia cujete for coughs?

Traditional adult dosages include 30ml of fruit syrup taken three times daily, or 200ml of a prepared decoction for respiratory conditions. The fruit is typically processed into syrup or decoction form for internal use. Dosage should not exceed recommended amounts due to potential gastrointestinal effects. There are no standardized clinical dosing guidelines, and appropriate dosing may vary based on preparation method and individual response (Evidence Level C, Traditional).

Does Crescentia cujete interact with any medications?

Limited research exists on specific drug interactions with Crescentia cujete. Due to its mild laxative effects and potential blood pressure-lowering properties, caution is advised when taking it alongside antihypertensive medications or diuretics, as additive effects may occur. Saponins present in the plant may affect absorption of certain drugs. Patients taking prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before using Crescentia cujete preparations (Evidence Level C).

What are the traditional uses of Crescentia cujete?

Crescentia cujete is traditionally used throughout Latin America for respiratory conditions including coughs and bronchitis. The fruit is prepared as syrup or decoction for internal use. Additional traditional applications include wound healing (topical), managing hypertension, and treating constipation due to mild laxative effects. The plant contains crescentin, phenolics, saponins, flavonoids, and sterols contributing to these applications. Scientific evidence supporting these uses remains preliminary (Evidence Level C, Traditional).

What side effects can Crescentia cujete cause?

Reported side effects include nausea, particularly at high doses, and mild laxative effects due to saponin content. These may cause loose stools or gastrointestinal discomfort. Excessive consumption intensifies these effects and should be avoided. Individuals with known allergies to Crescentia cujete or related species should not use this herb. Discontinue use if severe gastrointestinal symptoms develop and consult a healthcare provider (Evidence Level C, Traditional).

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Crescentia cujete, commonly known as calabash or majapahit, is a tropical plant used in traditional medicine for respiratory and gastrointestinal ailments [PMID:33292130, PMID:32619738].

Contexte

Crescentia cujete (Bignoniaceae) is a tropical tree characterized by spherical, gourd-like fruits with hard woody shells and gelatinous pulp [PMID:28391450, PMID:27785381].

Usages traditionnels

Fruit pulp decoctions are traditionally used to treat respiratory diseases (cold, bronchitis, cough, asthma), diarrhea, stomachaches, and urethritis [PMID:33292130, PMID:26341395, PMID:32619738]. Leaves are used in folklore medicine for hematomas, tumors, and hypertension [PMID:26341395].

Composés actifs

The plant contains a variety of secondary metabolites including alkaloids, flavonoids (such as quercetin, naringenin, pinocembrin, and eriodictyol), saponins, terpenoids, tannins, and iridoid glycosides [PMID:34214325, PMID:37110781, PMID:37132676, PMID:32095047, PMID:32619738]. Specific bioactive furanonaphthoquinones, such as (2S,3S)-3-hydroxy-5,6-dimethoxydehydroiso-alpha-lapachone, have also been isolated [PMID:8254347]. Other identified compounds include trans-cinnamic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, verbascoside, and 6-epi-aucubin [PMID:33292130].

Mécanisme d'action

In silico studies suggest that naringenin, pinocembrin, and eriodictyol may act as inhibitors of proteins involved in inflammation and oxidation pathways [PMID:37110781]. Other metabolites have shown potential for targeting type 2A topoisomerases (DNA gyrases and topoisomerases IV) for antibacterial effects [PMID:35344868] and modulating carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes (alpha-glucosidase, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV, aldose reductase, and PTP-1B) for antidiabetic intervention [PMID:37969920].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DFever

Ethanol extract of Maja fruit demonstrated antipyretic activity in fever-induced mice [PMID:34214325]

Preuve DBacterial Infection (Vibrio spp.)

Fruit extract inhibited the growth of V. harveyi in vitro with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.313 mg/mL [PMID:32095047]; dietary fruit powder increased the immune response in infected vannamei shrimp [PMID:34316195]

Preuve DPneumonic Pasteurellosis

Fermented calabash (FCC) was evaluated for efficacy in combination with enrofloxacin in rat models [PMID:39927353]

Preuve DInflammation/Oxidation

Leaves and stem bark ethanol extracts demonstrated in vitro anti-inflammatory activity via HRBC membrane stabilization and antioxidant activity via DPPH and FRP assays [PMID:26341395, PMID:24495381]

Synthèse des preuves

The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies, in silico modeling, and animal models (rats, mice, shrimp, fish). There are no human clinical trials provided in the abstracts.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 8254347 (1993) — Bioactive furanonaphthoquinones from Crescentia cujete. · Journal of natural products
2.PMID: 33292130 (2022) — Validation of an UPLC-DAD Method for the Quantification of Phenolic Acids, Verbascoside and 6-epi-aucubin in Crescentia cujete Fruit. · Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening
3.PMID: 27785381 (2016) — Chloroplast sequence of treegourd (Crescentia cujete, Bignoniaceae) to study phylogeography and domestication. · Applications in plant sciences
4.PMID: 39553756 (2024) — Effects of fermented Crescentia cujete L. on the profile of hematology, clinical chemistry, and circulatory CD4+/CD8+ in Sprague Dawley rats. · Open veterinary journal
5.PMID: 34214325 (2021) — Secondary metabolite and antipyretic effects of Maja (Crescentia cujete L.) in fever-induced mice.

Crescentia Cujete

Sources et citations

Calculer une dose sûre de Crescentia Cujete

Jatropha gossypiifolia

Manihot esculenta

Lavandula latifolia

Questions fréquentes

Résumé

Contexte

Usages traditionnels

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales

Crescentia Cujete

Sources et citations

Calculer une dose sûre de Crescentia Cujete

Plantes associées

Jatropha gossypiifolia

Manihot esculenta

Lavandula latifolia

Questions fréquentes

Résumé

Contexte

Usages traditionnels

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales