Versatile Nutraceutical Potentials of Watermelon—A Modest Fruit Loaded with Pharmaceutically Valuable Phytochemicals

Manivannan, Abinaya; Lee, Eun-Su; Han, Koeun; Lee, Hye-Eun; Kim, Do-Sun

doi:10.3390/molecules25225258

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Versatile Nutraceutical Potentials of Watermelon—A Modest Fruit Loaded with Pharmaceutically Valuable Phytochemicals

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Vegetable Research Division, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Jeonju 55365, Korea

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Academic Editors: Ryszard Amarowicz and Adriano Costa de Camargo

Molecules 2020, 25(22), 5258; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25225258

Received: 16 October 2020 / Revised: 4 November 2020 / Accepted: 9 November 2020 / Published: 11 November 2020

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 25th Anniversary of Molecules—Advances in Food Chemistry, Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods, and Dietary Bioactives: Celebrating the Lifetime Achievements of Professor Fereidoon Shahidi)

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Abstract

Watermelon (Citrulus lantus) is an important horticultural crop which belongs to the Curcubitaceae family. The nutraceutical potential of watermelon has been illustrated by several researchers, which makes it a better choice of functional food. Watermelon has been used to treat various ailments, such as cardio-vascular diseases, aging related ailments, obesity, diabetes, ulcers, and various types of cancers. The medicinal properties of watermelon are attributed by the presence of important phytochemicals with pharmaceutical values such as lycopene, citrulline, and other polyphenolic compounds. Watermelon acts as vital source of l-citrulline, a neutral-alpha amino acid which is the precursor of l-arginine, an essential amino acid necessary for protein synthesis. Supplementation of l-citrulline and lycopene displayed numerous health benefits in in vitro and in vivo studies. Similarly, the dietary intake of watermelon has proven benefits as functional food in humans for weight management. Apart from the fruits, the extracts prepared from the seeds, sprouts, and leaves also evidenced medicinal properties. The present review provides a comprehensive overview of benefits of watermelon for the treatment of various ailments. View Full-Text

Keywords: anti-cancer; anti-diabetic; functional food; l-citrulline; lycopene; obesity; polyphenols

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Manivannan, A.; Lee, E.-S.; Han, K.; Lee, H.-E.; Kim, D.-S. Versatile Nutraceutical Potentials of Watermelon—A Modest Fruit Loaded with Pharmaceutically Valuable Phytochemicals. Molecules 2020, 25, 5258. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25225258

AMA Style

Manivannan A, Lee E-S, Han K, Lee H-E, Kim D-S. Versatile Nutraceutical Potentials of Watermelon—A Modest Fruit Loaded with Pharmaceutically Valuable Phytochemicals. Molecules. 2020; 25(22):5258. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25225258

Chicago/Turabian Style

Manivannan, Abinaya, Eun-Su Lee, Koeun Han, Hye-Eun Lee, and Do-Sun Kim. 2020. "Versatile Nutraceutical Potentials of Watermelon—A Modest Fruit Loaded with Pharmaceutically Valuable Phytochemicals" Molecules 25, no. 22: 5258. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25225258

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Versatile Nutraceutical Potentials of Watermelon—A Modest Fruit Loaded with Pharmaceutically Valuable Phytochemicals

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