Phytochemical profiling and antimicrobial potential of the fruit and leaf extracts from Cucumis Aculeatus

Background Cucumis aculeatus is traditionally used to manage microbial infections such as diarrhea, wounds, and gonorrhea, yet scientific data on its phytochemical composition and antimicrobial potential remain limited. This study investigated the phytochemical profile and in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of C. aculeatus extracts. Methods Extraction of phytochemicals was done by soaking the plant materials in cold hexane, 1:1 dichloromethane/methanol (DCM/MeOH), and 100% methanol (MeOH). Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify the non-polar phytochemicals present in the extracts. The agar well disk diffusion method was used to test in-vitro antimicrobial properties of the extracts. Results Majorly, fatty acids, esters, alcohols, and hydrocarbons were tentatively identified in crude extracts obtained from different parts of C. aculeatus. The fresh fruit 1:1 DCM/MeOH and dry fruit hexane extracts exhibited good inhibition against E. coli (ZI = 14.33 mm compared to 23.00 mm by ciprofloxacin) and S. aureus (ZI = 14.67 mm close to 17.33 mm by vancomycin), respectively. On the other hand, the fresh fruit methanol and dry leaves 1:1 DCM/MeOH extracts were the most effective inhibitors of A. niger and A. flavus with inhibition zones of 17.80 mm and 13.73 mm, respectively, comparatively lower than ketoconazole (26.87 mm) and voriconazole. (21.00 mm). The other extracts had low to moderate effects towards the growth of the tested bacteria and fungi strains. Conclusion These results provide preliminary support for the traditional use of C.aculeatus in management of microbial infections.