Toxicity
Citrullus colocynthis contains toxic compounds such as cucurbitacins (triterpenes), elatermidine, glycosides, resin, dihydric alcohol, heltiacontane, citrullin and citrullinic acid. There is an abundant medical literature reporting the deleterious effects of the consumption of Citrullus colocynthis parts in humans: such effect include gastrointestinal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, hypothermia, cardiac disorders, cerebral congestion and necrosis of liver and renal cells (Fern, 2021). Notably, the use of Citrullus colocynthis in traditional herbal treatment for diabetes, popular in some countries, can have dangerous consequences (Jouad et al., 2001; Javadzadeh et al., 2013). Fatal cases of poisoning from overdoses of colocynth are not rare, but they represent a small percentage given its wide use (Mariod et al., 2017). The oil itself seems to be free of toxic factors (Sawaya et al., 1986).
Leaves and fruits
The consumption of fruits of Citrullus colocynthis by 5 children in Morocco resulted in severe poisoning and death (Pfab, 1999). Dried or minced plants of Citrullus colocynthis in doses of 0.5 to 10 g per kg per day killed goats after dosing for periods ranging from 1 day to 2 weeks (Barri et al., 1983).
Seeds
Colocynth seeds were toxic to chicks which showed depressed growth and lesions in the intestines, livers, kidneys and other tissues (Bakhiet et al., 1995).