Cucurbitacins are protective compounds produced by and concentrated in the stems of plants belonging to the curcurbitacae family.

Like annonaceous acetogenins found in annona, cucurbitacins exhibit severe ingestion toxicity at high doses despite anticancer, antitumorigenic, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, cardioprotective, and immunomodulating properties.

The Cucumis melo, or muskmelon, is among cucurbitacin-producing cucurbits and is used as a traditional remedy for diabetes, hepatitis, inflammation, jaundice, stomach cancer, and neuropsychiatric disorders due to its valuable bioactive compounds.

Multiple studies attest to the effectiveness of muskmelon bioactivity. Their constituents may combat inflammation and ulceration; inhibit tumor angiogenesis and growth of hepatoma, leukemia, breast, cervical, prostate, pancreatic, lung, and stomach cancer cells; enhance hepatic function and avoid fibrosis in cases of hepatitis, jaundice, and cirrhosis; stimulate thyroid function in cases of hypothyroidism; regulate excessive blood pressure and correct hypertension; and improve insulin resistance.