Abstract

The present study was intended to evaluate nutrition and antioxidant potential of four Cucumis species from the Western Ghats of India. All the studied Cucumis species were found to be an excellent source of nutraceuticals. Leaves and fruits of Cucumis indicus were rich source of energy (296.84±0.20 and 333.52±0.15 kcal/100 g respectively) and several minerals. Cucumis maderaspatanus exhibited the highest flavonoids, tannins and terpenoids along with highest antioxidant potential. Chemometric analysis highlighted the influence of phytochemicals on the antioxidant activities from the organic and aqueous solvents extracts of four Cucumis species, wherein organic extracts found superior. Ethanolic leaf and fruit extracts of Cucumis maderaspatanus demonstrated highest alpha-amylase inhibitory activity (58.58±0.63 and 45.43±0.27 % at 1 mg extract). Similar trend was observed for alpha-glucosidase inhibition from the fruit extract of maderaspatanus (74.31±3.75 % at 100 μg extract). Acetone fruit extract of Cucumis indicus revealed the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (31.63±0.16 % at 100 μg extract). Further, extensive research work is needed to explore the Cucumis species as functional food to manage diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer’s diseases.