Bottle Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria): Novel Insights Into the Biochemical Propensities of the Unexplored Cultivar.

The fruit of Lagenaria siceraria (bottle gourd), widely consumed as a vegetable, possesses notable health benefits. This study investigated the chemical and biological profiles of the Saudi cultivar through quantitative bioactive analysis, GC-MS characterization, and in vitro evaluation of antioxidant, antibacterial, and enzyme inhibition activities. The 80% hydroethanolic extract (HEELS) exhibited a rich phytochemical profile, with the highest total tannin content (97.66 ± 3.33 mg/g). GC-MS identified 55 compounds, including fatty acids, esters, sterols, and triterpenoids. HEELS displayed potent antioxidant activity, particularly in the FRAP assay (582 ± 1.18 mg AAE/g DE), and strong urease inhibition (91.8 ± 0.45%). Antibacterial assays showed the highest activity (12-mm inhibition zone) against Staphylococcus epidermidis at 150 mg/mL. Molecular docking revealed significant interactions with α-amylase, urease, and tyrosinase. These results suggest HEELS as a potential therapeutic agent, warranting further pharmacological and toxicological evaluation to confirm safety and efficacy for clinical applications.