Standardization and Preliminary Phytochemical Evaluation of Cucumis Melo subsp. Agrestis var. Agrestis seeds

Cucumis melo subsp. agrestis var. agrestis Naudin; belonging to Cucurbitaceae family is commonly known as Wild Melon (English), Kachari (Hindi), is an annual climber, probably indigenous to North India. In present study standardization of C. melo subsp. agrestis was performed as per WHO guidelines including macroscopy and microscopy, ash values, extractive values, loss on drying, fluorescence analysis, swelling index, foaming index, determination of volatile oil content. To complete the study methanol and water extract of powdered seeds was screened for various phytoconstituents. The qualitative chemical analysis of extracts was found positive for alkaloids, proteins, carbohydrates, flavonoids and sterols. These studies provide valuable information for the identification and standardization of this plant material.