Three Selected Edible Crops of the Genus as Potential Sources of Phytochemicals: Biochemical, Nutritional, and Medicinal Values.

species (Family Cucurbitaceae) are cultivated throughout the world for their edible fruits, leaves, shoots and seeds. Among the species of the genus there are three selected species that are used as vegetable, and for medicinal purposes, L (Bitter melon), Schumach (Bitter cucumber) and L (African pumpkin). The fruits and leaves of these species are rich in primary and secondary metabolites such as proteins, fibers, minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc), -carotene, foliate, ascorbic acid, among others. The extracts from species are used for the treatment of a variety of diseases and ailments in traditional medicine. species extracts are reputed to possess anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anthelmintic bioactivity, abortifacient, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and play chemo-preventive functions. In this review we summarize the biochemical, nutritional, and medicinal values of three species (, and ) as promising and innovative sources of natural bioactive compounds for future pharmaceutical usage.