Amira A. El-anssary
1 
, Gehan Fawzy Abdel Raoof
1* , Dalia Osama Saleh
2 , Hossam Mohammed El-Masry
3 1 Pharmacognosy Department, Pharmaceutical and Drug Research Industries Division, National Research Centre, Dokki, P.O. 12622, Giza, Egypt
2 Pharmacology Department, Medical Division, National Research Centre, Dokki, P.O. 12622, Giza, Egypt
3 Chemistry of Natural Microbial Products Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, P.O. 12622, Giza, Egypt
Abstract
Introduction: Recently, the recovery of waste products from plants as a source of biologically active compounds has increased interest. Therefore, the current research aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antimicrobial activities of the fixed oil of Cucumis melo L seeds, as well as to investigate its physicochemical parameters and chemical composition. Methods: Anti-inflammatory activity was examined using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema assay. The antimicrobial activity was assayed against Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans by well diffusion method. The chemical composition of the oil was determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), α-tocopherol was estimated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: Cucumis melo oil had no toxicity and possessed a promising anti-inflammatory activity. Moreover, the oil exhibited a reasonable decrease in the pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and a significant increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10). The oil exhibited a reasonable antimicrobial activity against all tested organisms. The major identified compound in the unsaponifiable matter was (1-methyldodecyl) benzene (8.76%), while the major fatty acid was methyl linoleate (14.10%). The results of physicochemical characterization revealed the better quality of Cucumis melo oil. The amount of α-tocopherol in the oil was 23.5 μg/mL, which is considered a reasonable amount. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the fixed oil of Cucumis melo L seeds might be used as a safe natural anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antimicrobial agent.
Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:
The current study suggests that Cucumis melo oil might be exploited in the food industry and used as a potent anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antimicrobial agent.