Use of extracts from Squirting Cucumber (Ecballium elaterium) seeds in health

Abstract

Ecballium elaterium is an herb that grows abundantly in the Mediterranean region. In the past, the squirting cucumber was highly esteemed for its medicinal virtues. The seeds of the squirting cucumber are a rich source of peptides, which are collectively termed as Ecballium elaterium protease inhibitors. The main protease inhibitors act specifically against trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, subtilisin and Astacus protease. Ecballium elaterium trypsin inhibitor II (EETI II) is one of the most potent antitrypsin inhibitors. However this enzyme can be modified to exhibit a different affinity to other proteases (e.g. elastase). Seed extracts have not been used for their medicinal value, in traditional practice. Research during the past thirty years provided scientific proof of the in vitro efficacy of these inhibitors against disease-inducing proteases, such as trypsin and elastase amongst others. Although the juice is toxic, no adverse effects have been reported for the ingestion of squirting cucumber seed extracts.