eng Science and Education Publishing Journal of Food and Nutrition Research 2333-1240 2025-02-09 13 2 53 60 10.12691/jfnr-13-2-1 JFNR20251321 article Jos¨¦ Gilberto Gavidia-Valencia 1 Edmundo Arturo Venegas-Casanova 2 Gladys Gonzales P¨®sito 2 R¨²ben Jesus Aro-D¨ªaz 2 Rafael Jara-Aguilar 2 Iris Melina Alfaro-Beltr¨¢n 2 Luisa Olivia Amaya-Lau 3 Ricardo Diego Duarte Galhardo de Albuquerque richardcabofrio@gmail.com 3 4 Departamento de Bioqu¨ªmica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioqu¨ªmica, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, s/n, Centro, Trujillo, La Libertad, Per¨² Departamento de Farmacotecnica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioqu¨ªmica, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, s/n, Centro, Trujillo, La Libertad, Per¨² Departamento de Farmacolog¨ªa, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioqu¨ªmica, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, s/n, Centro, Trujillo, La Libertad, Per¨² Pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.) is found in many parts of the world and is commonly used in nearby regions as traditional medicine. The aim of this literature review is to compile a comprehensive selection of recent articles related to three pumpkin species: C. maxima, C. pepo, and C. moschata, with a focus on their ethnobotanical applications, chemical composition, and biological activities. Database searches were conducted in Scopus, Science Direct, and PubMed Central, yielding 45 documents, including scientific articles and theses, after filtering. This review highlights that Cucurbita spp. have been traditionally employed to address a range of ailments such as cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, muscle pain, and inflammation, in addition to their use in food (ripe fruit and seeds) and dyes. Their medicinal derivatives, such as hydroethanolic extracts, have demonstrated a wide spectrum of biological activities, including anticancer, antimicrobial, and antiparasitic effects. Key active compounds include polyphenols and carotenoids, which are largely responsible for their effects in both in vitro and in vivo studies. In conclusion, the findings support the need for ongoing research into these Cucurbita species, to validate their traditional uses across different cultures worldwide and to deepen our understanding of their pharmacological mechanisms, especially regarding the interactions between phytochemicals and pharmacological effects. https://pubs.sciepub.com/jfnr/13/2/1/jfnr-13-2-1.pdf ethnobotany pharmacological activity chemical composition pumpkin functional food Cucurbita