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PubMed · Effects of fermented <i>Crescentia cujete</i> L. on the profile of hematology, clinical chemistry, and circulatory CD4+/CD8+ in Sprague Dawley rats. (2024)
PubMed · A Review of the Phytochemistry, Ethnobotany, Toxicology, and Pharmacological Potentials of <i>Crescentia cujete</i> L. (Bignoniaceae). (2021)
Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals
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).
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
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].
Background
Crescentia cujete (Bignoniaceae) is a tropical tree characterized by spherical, gourd-like fruits with hard woody shells and gelatinous pulp [PMID:28391450, PMID:27785381].
Traditional uses
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].
Active compounds
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].
Mechanism of 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].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DFever
Ethanol extract of Maja fruit demonstrated antipyretic activity in fever-induced mice [PMID:34214325]
Evidence 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]
Evidence DPneumonic Pasteurellosis
Fermented calabash (FCC) was evaluated for efficacy in combination with enrofloxacin in rat models [PMID:39927353]
Evidence 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]
Evidence summary
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.
PubMed sources
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.
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
· Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology
6.PMID: 34306151 (2021) — A Review of the Phytochemistry, Ethnobotany, Toxicology, and Pharmacological Potentials of Crescentia cujete L. (Bignoniaceae). · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
7.PMID: 37110781 (2023) — In Silico Analysis of Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of Bioactive Compounds from Crescentia cujete L. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
8.PMID: 39927353 (2024) — The standardization and efficacy of fermented Crescentia cujete (L.) in combination with enrofloxacin against artificially induced pneumonic pasteurellosis in rat models. · Open veterinary journal
9.PMID: 37132676 (2023) — Antimicrobial evaluation of silver nanoparticles using extracts of Crescentia cujete L. · Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia
10.PMID: 34316195 (2021) — Effect of Majapahit (Crescentia cujete L.) fruit powder on the immune profile of Litopenaeus vannamei after infection with Vibrio spp. · Veterinary world
11.PMID: 32619738 (2020) — UPLC-MS/MS-based molecular networking and NMR structural determination for the untargeted phytochemical characterization of the fruit of Crescentia cujete (Bignoniaceae). · Phytochemistry
12.PMID: 28391450 (2017) — In vitro acaricidal activity of Crescentia cujete L. fruit pulp against Rhipicephalus microplus. · Parasitology research
13.PMID: 39737036 (2024) — Effects of Crescentia cujete (L.) fruit extract on the profile of hematology of ranchu goldfish (Carassius auratus). · Open veterinary journal
14.PMID: 37969920 (2023) — Cheminformatics identification of modulators of key carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes from C. cujete for type-2 diabetes mellitus intervention. · Journal of diabetes and metabolic disorders
15.PMID: 35344868 (2022) — Identification of secondary metabolites from Crescentia cujete as promising antibacterial therapeutics targeting type 2A topoisomerases through molecular dynamics simulation. · Computers in biology and medicine
16.PMID: 34156587 (2021) — Influence of Crescentia cujete and Launaea taraxacifolia leaves on growth, immune indices, gut microbiota, blood chemistry, carcass, and meat quality in broiler chickens. · Tropical animal health and production
17.PMID: 32095047 (2019) — An in vitro and in silico evaluation of the antibacterial activity of the bioactive compounds in Majapahit (Crescentia cujete L.) fruit. · Veterinary world
18.PMID: 32405172 (2020) — Molecular docking analysis of phytochemicals from ethanolic extract of crescentia cujete with the auto inhibited parkin catalytic domain. · Bioinformation
19.PMID: 24495381 (2014) — Antioxidant activities of ethanol extracts and fractions of Crescentia cujete leaves and stem bark and the involvement of phenolic compounds. · BMC complementary and alternative medicine
20.PMID: 26341395 (2015) — Evaluation of in vitro anti-inflammatory and antibacterial potential of Crescentia cujete leaves and stem bark. · BMC research notes