⛔
Regulatory ban. This ingredient is banned or restricted in one or more countries. See Regulatory Status below.
⚠

Citrullus colocynthis

Citrullus colocynthis (colocynth — fruit pulp)
Unsafe V2 Verified Botanicals
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PubMed Studies
4
About

Bitter apple of North Africa and South Asia. Cucurbitacins are intensely bitter, cathartic, and toxic. Used in traditional medicine as purgative but extremely narrow safety margin.

How it works (mechanism of action)

Acts on cellular signalling pathways relevant to the documented clinical indications. Contains bioactive compounds with enzyme-modulating, receptor-binding, or antioxidant properties studied in peer-reviewed literature.

⚖️ Regulatory Status
⛔
EU — Banned
EMA does not support any supplement use. Member states prohibit Citrullus colocynthis-containing food supplements due to extreme toxicity.
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INT — Banned
Globally unsafe for supplement use. Cucurbitacins cause severe GI haemorrhage, nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, cardiovascular collapse. Deaths documented. No safe supplement dose. Traditional use requires expert supervision only.
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US — Banned
FDA — Citrullus colocynthis not permitted as dietary supplement ingredient due to extreme toxicity (GI haemorrhage, cardiovascular collapse).
👥 Safety by Population
PopulationSafety RatingMax Safe Dose
GeneralUnsafeNot established
PregnancyUnsafeNot established
ElderlyUnsafeNot established
🚫 Contraindications & Warnings

HIGHLY TOXIC at purgative doses: GI haemorrhage, nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, cardiovascular collapse. Deaths documented. No safe supplement dose established. Traditional use requires expert supervision only. NOT for commercial supplement use.

💊 Drug Interactions (2)
🟡 Antidiabetic medications
Moderate
Antidiabetics
Management: Additive hypoglycaemic effect documented. Monitor blood glucose closely. High toxicity risk outweighs any benefit.
🟡 Diuretics
Moderate
Diuretics
Management: Additive fluid loss and electrolyte imbalance. Combined use extremely dangerous.
🇪🇺 EU Health Claims Status
Art.13(1)
✓ Authorised
Non-compliance with the Regulation because on the basis of the scientific evidence assessed, this claimed effect for this food has not been substantiated.
Regulation EU 1924/2006 · ART13 1
Art.13(1)
✓ Authorised
Non-compliance with the Regulation because on the basis of the scientific evidence assessed, this claimed effect for this food has not been substantiated.
Regulation EU 1924/2006 · ART13 1
🏷️ Other Names
Colocynth Bitter apple Bitter cucumber citrullus
Updated: 2026-04-11
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