Ekeocha, P. A.  <br/><br/>
Isolation, structural elucidation and therapeutic potentials of root of cucurbita pepo 

 - Vol.83(6), Nov-Dec 
 - Mumbai  Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Science  2021 
 - 1288-1294p. 
<br/><br/> The roots of Cucurbita pepo were investigated with the aim of identifying bioactive constituents with<br/>therapeutic potentials. To achieve this, the roots of Cucurbita pepo were harvested, washed, air dried and<br/>grounded into the powder. The ground material was extracted using hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol.<br/>The extracts were fractionated using column chromatography and fractions were monitored using thin<br/>layer chromatography. The fractions were characterised using proton nuclear magnetic resonance and<br/>carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Phytochemical screening showed that the extracts<br/>contained sterols and terpenoids, alkaloids, resins, flavonoids, saponins and carbohydrates. Nuclear<br/>magnetic resonance analysis led to the identification of hexadecanoic acid or palmitic acid, alpha-<br/>spinasterol and squalene. Some of these compounds may represent a new pharmacological approach in<br/>the development of novel and adjuvant therapy for several medical conditions. 
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Topical Terms: </label><br/>PHARMACEUTICS