ArticlePDF Available

A Review: The Emerging Nutraceutical Potential of Pumpkin Seeds

Authors:
  • Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursin Universitas Gadjah Mada

Abstract and Figures

The pumpkin belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae, is a well-known edible plant that has been frequently used as functional food or herbal medicine. Pumpkins contain rich unsaturated fatty acids, phytoestrogens and vitamins E in their seeds that have potential pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmeceutical properties. Information regarding their nutritional components and therapeutic properties of pumpkin seeds has expanded dynamically in the recent years and this review focus on the three main components of pumpkin seeds that described before. Several types of unsaturated fatty acids are the dominant component in pumpkin seeds which can play a role in the disease prevention and promote health. Pumpkin seeds also contain the important phytoestrogen compounds, i.e., secoisolariciresinol and lariciresinol that have estrogenic-like effect such as preventing hyperlipidemia and osteoporosis for menopausal women. Phytoestrogens in pumpkin seeds also could be related to a reduced hormone-dependent tumor. Pumpkin seeds are rich in vitamin E contents as an emerging free radical scavenger, anti-aging and antioxidant such as a-tocopherol and g-tocopherol. Findings of these studies prove that patents field for the innovation product of pumpkin seeds holds promise for the future along with their immense nutraceutical properties. Keywords : pumpkin seeds, estrogenic, anticancer, antioxidant, nutraceutical
Content may be subject to copyright.
92
Lestari, et al, 2018
Indones. J. Cancer Chemoprevent., 9(2), 92-101
A Review: The Emerging Nutraceutical Potential of
Pumpkin Seeds
Beni Lestari, Edy Meiyanto*
Cancer Chemoprevention Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Abstract
ThepumpkinbelongstothefamilyofCucurbitaceae,isawell-knownedibleplant
thathasbeenfrequentlyusedasfunctionalfoodorherbalmedicine.Pumpkinscontain
rich unsaturated fatty acids, phytoestrogens and vitamins E in their seeds that have
potential pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmeceutical properties. Information
regarding their nutritional components and therapeutic properties of pumpkin seeds
hasexpandeddynamicallyintherecentyearsandthisreviewfocusonthethreemain
componentsofpumpkinseedsthatdescribedbefore.Severaltypesofunsaturatedfatty
acidsarethedominantcomponentinpumpkinseedswhichcanplayaroleinthedisease
preventionandpromotehealth.Pumpkinseedsalsocontaintheimportantphytoestrogen
compounds,i.e.,secoisolariciresinolandlariciresinolthathaveestrogenic-likeeectsuch
aspreventinghyperlipidemiaandosteoporosisformenopausalwomen.Phytoestrogens
inpumpkinseedsalsocouldberelatedtoareducedhormone-dependenttumor.Pumpkin
seedsare rich in vitaminEcontentsasanemergingfreeradical scavenger,anti-aging
andantioxidantsuchasa-tocopherolandg-tocopherol.Findingsofthesestudiesprove
thatpatents eld for theinnovation product of pumpkinseeds holds promise forthe
futurealongwiththeirimmensenutraceuticalproperties.
Keywords : pumpkin seeds, estrogenic, anticancer, antioxidant, nutraceutical
Submitted: June 11, 2018
Revised: June 30, 2018
Accepted: June 30, 2018
*Corresponding author: meiyan_e@ugm.ac.id
INTRODUCTION
Pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.) is a fruit vegetable,
native to the Western Hemisphere and easily
cultivated in Tropical Asia countries such as
Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines (Tindall,
1983). There are many varieties of pumpkin such
as Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita
moschata, Cucurbita cifolia, and Cucurbita
turbaniformis in which Cucurbita moschata exhibits
the widest variation in Indonesia, showed in Fig. 1
(Gemrot, et al., 2006). Although the pumpkin itself
has various benets, the pumpkin seeds have been
the focus of interest in the last few years in the eld
of diet and disease research due to the emerging
various active components.
Research on pumpkin increases progressively
during the last decade, especially focusing on
its health benets. Pubmed recorded more than
200 papers within 2007-2018 of pumpkin and its
93
Indonesian Journal of Cancer Chemoprevention, June 2018
ISSN: 2088–0197
e-ISSN: 2355-8989
seeds covering on the eld of chemistry, biology,
pharmacology, and health. Among those of the
researches, pumpkin seeds become the focus of
interest due to its complexity of the chemical
ingredient as well as the health benets. Pumpkin
seeds are highly nutritional and rich nutraceutical
components such as unsaturated fatty acids especially
palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid
(Stevenson, et al., 2007). Those essential fatty acids
are belonging to the w-6 and w-3 family which exert
amazing nutritional functions and play important
role in many metabolic pathways (Miura, 2013).
Phytoestrogen supplementation with pumpkin
seeds extract has been reported to increase uterine
weight, mammary gland, bone density, and prevent
hyperlipidemia, the indication of estrogen-like
activities in ovariectomized female Sprague dawley
rats (Gossell-Williams, et al., 2008). Pumpkin seeds
oil contains rich vitamin E such as a-tocopherol and
g-tocopherol that exhibited positive health effects
(Rabrenovic, et al., 2014).
The researchers have so far focused particularly
on the three major components of fatty acids,
phytoestrogens, and tocopherol in pumpkin seeds oil
because they gained attention due to the several health
benets such as antioxidant, anti-inammation,
antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-cardiovascular, anti-
hyperlipidemia, and estrogenic-like effect (Table
2). Thus, in this review, we explained more detail
about the three major bioactive compounds of
pumpkin seeds such as fatty acids, phytoestrogens,
Figure 1. The pumpkin fruit (left) and its seeds
(right) commonly cultivated in Indonesia known
as Cucurbita moschata.
and tocopherols as well as to highlight the
immense potential effects in the form of roasted,
oil and/or extract of pumpkin seeds as the excellent
nutraceuticals in the future.
PHYSICOCHEMICAL COMPOSITIONS
OF PUMPKIN SEEDS
The different species of pumpkin seeds exerts
the different components and biological activities
(Caili, et al., 2006). Many researchers studied the
bioactive compositions of pumpkin seeds oil that
grown in the different areas of the world. Due to
the differences among the species and/or varieties
of Cucurbita spp., the yield of fatty acids, sterols or
phytoestrogens and tocopherols was quite similar
to those of each other and belong to the three major
components of pumpkin seeds that have been focused
by many studies. However, the minor components
of pumpkin seeds such as protein, mineral, terpenic
alcohol, and ber also could not be ignored, because
they have played role in the synergistic positive
effects of pumpkin seeds (Fu, et al., 2006). Some
technologies are applied to isolate the higher yield
of oil from crude pumpkin seeds. Although several
studies reported that crude pumpkin seeds extract
itself exhibited the broad-spectrum pharmacological
effects through in vitro, in vivo and human trial.
Cucurbita pepo L. is the most popular pumpkin
species to be a focus of interest of researches in the
world. Recent studies have shown that Cucurbita
pepo species is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids such
as palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid and linoleic
acid, vitamin E like α-tocopherols, γ-tocopherols and
carotenoid, phytoestrogens and phytosterols such
as daidzein, genistein, secoisolariciresinol, and the
trace components. Among those of total percentage
of ingredients in pumpkin seeds, unsaturated fatty
acids showed the hugest components ranging up
to 80%. This value is relatively higher than those
reported for peanut seeds oil and soybean seeds oil
(Cerny, et al., 1971; Sanders, 1980). The nutrient
component in pumpkin seeds is presented in Table 1.
94
Lestari, et al, 2018
Indones. J. Cancer Chemoprevent., 9(2), 92-101
(a) Fatty acids
(i) Linoleic acids (ii) Oleic acids
(iii) Palmitic acids (iv) Stearic acids
(b) Phytoestrogens
(i) Secoisolariciresinol (ii) Lariciresinol
(c) Vitamins
(i) α-tocopherol (ii) γ-tocopherol
Figure 2. Structures of the major compounds isolated from pumpkin seeds.
The second popular pumpkin species is
Cucurbita maxima which is cultivated in many areas
in the world. Rezig, et al. (2012) determined the
chemical components of pumpkin seeds and the oil
properties from the seeds of Cucurbita maxima from
Tunisia. They reported that the abundant composition
was fatty acids and tocopherol. Another researcher
also studied nutritional component of different
varieties of Curcubita maxima L. var. Berrettina and
found that the major fatty acids were oleic acids and
the highest components was sterols (Montesano, et
al., 2018). Due to the different components among
the varieties of Cucurbita grown in the different
areas of the world, all studies agreed that pumpkin
seeds are a good source of many nutrients.
95
Indonesian Journal of Cancer Chemoprevention, June 2018
ISSN: 2088–0197
e-ISSN: 2355-8989
Cucurbita pepo L.
*)
Cucurbita pepo
Subsp. pepo Var.
Styriaka
**)
Cucurbita maxima
***)
Cucurbita maxima ,
var. Berrettina
****)
Palmitic acid 9.5-14.5% 10.86% 15.97% Unquantified
Stearic acid 3.1-7.4% 8.67% Unquantified Unquantified
Oleic acid 21.0-46.9% 38.42% 44.11% 41.40%
Linoleic acid 35.6-60.8% 39.84% 34.77% 37.00%
Other fatty acids <0.5% Unquantified Unquantified Unquantified
α-tocopherols n.d-91 mg/Kg Unquantified
γ-tocopherols 41-620 mg/Kg Unquantified
Daidzein 5.6-15.3 ng/g Unquantified
Genistein 5.6-15.3 ng/g Unquantified
Secoisolaricires inol 210 μg/g Unquantified
Phytosterol 1.6–1.9 % 1.86% 39.60% 63.20%
Protein 25.2–37% 25.40% 33.92% 1.28%
Carotenoid Unquantified Unquantified Unquantified 2.5 mg/L
Concentration in seve ral varieties
Ingredient
882.65 mg/Kg 42.27%
Identified as
polyphenol: 66.27
mg/Kg
Identified as
polyphenol: 79.6
mg/Kg
Table 1. Nutritional components of pumpkin seeds.
*)Murkovic,et al.,1996;Murkovic,et al.,2004;Phillips,et al.,2005;Applequist,et al.,2006;Glew,et al.,
2006;Sabudak,2007;Ryan, et al.,2007;Stevenson,et al.,2007
**)Ardabili,et al.,2011
***)Rezig,et al.,2012
****)Montesano,et al.,2018
GENERAL HEALTH BENEFITS DERIVED
FROM PUMPKIN SEEDS
In general, pumpkin seeds are an extraordinarily
rich source of nutraceutical, pharmaceutical,
and cosmeceutical properties that exhibit many
pharmacological effects and health benets. In
recent years, in vitro, in vivo, and pre-clinical studies
have proven that pumpkin seeds oil has a wide
spectrum of amazing biological activities (Table
2.). Moreover, the presence of high percentage of
unsaturated fatty acids, sterols and tocopherol make
it an excellent product which could prevent against
some diseases (Patel, 2013). The widespread usage
of pumpkin seed gains positive acceptance not only
as edible oil but also nutraceutical. Not only the
therapeutic uses of pumpkin seeds were explored,
the safeties of pumpkin seeds against some organs
were also tested using several methods. For example,
Schiebel-Schlosser and Friederich (1998) found
that there were no side effects of Benign Prostatic
Hyperplasia (BPH) patients under the treatment
of capsules containing 500 mg of a pumpkin seed
96
Lestari, et al, 2018
Indones. J. Cancer Chemoprevent., 9(2), 92-101
Activity References
Therapy for arthritis Fahim, et al ., 1995
Antitumor effect Thompson, et al ., 1996
Therapy for irritable bladder Leung and Foster, 1996
Retarded the progression of hypertension Al-Zuhair, Abdel-Fattah, and Abdel Latif, 1997
Reduced hypercholesterolemia Makni, et al ., 2008
Free radical scavengers in the heart and kidney -
Therapy for colon cancer Awad, von Holtz, Cone, Fink, and Chen, 1998
Possessed estrogenic, antiestrogenic, antioxidative,
antiviral, antibacterial, insecticidal or fungistatic Mazur and Adlercreutz, 1998
Reduced serum cholesterol Jones, et al ., 2000
Treatment of heterophyiasis Mahmoud, et al ., 2002
Immunoregulatory potential Winkler, et al ., 2005
Antiperoxidative properties Nkosi, et al. , 2006
Alleviated diabetes, reliefed of abdominal cramps,
and distension due to intestinal worms Caili, et al. , 2006
Therapy for bladderstone disease Caili, Huan, and Quanhong, 2006
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory Kühn, Chaitidis, Roffeis, and Walther, 2007
Therapy for benign prostate hyperplasia
Friederich, et al ., 2000; Gossell-Williams, et al .,
2006; Fruhwirth and Hermetter, 2007; Hong, et
al. , 2009; Jiang, et al ., 2012; Medjakovic, et al. ,
2016
Prevented changes in plasma lipids and blood
pressure Gossell-Williams, et al ., 2008
Radical Scavenger and inhibit lipoxygenase Xanthopoulou, et al ., 2009
Preventing diabetic complications Makni, et al ., 2010
Increased of reproductive potential Abd El-Ghany, et al ., 2010
Breast cancer prevention and/or treatment Richter, et al ., 2014
Antigenotoxic Elfiky, et al ., 2012; Yasir, et al ., 2016
Table 2. Some biological activities of pumpkin seeds.
extract. Those research ndings have accumulated
in the recent years that endorse the wide range of
therapeutic values of pumpkin seeds. More clinical
trials are required to optimally utilize the nutritional
potential of pumpkin seeds.
ESTROGENIC-LIKE EFFECTS
As we know that estrogen hormones play
a ke
y role in the menstrual cycle, reproduction,
modulation of bone density, and cholesterol
transport in the body (Rosano, et al., 2007).
97
Indonesian Journal of Cancer Chemoprevention, June 2018
ISSN: 2088–0197
e-ISSN: 2355-8989
Phytoestrogen is a polyphenol compound from
plant that exerts mammalian estrogenic-like effect
due to the binding ability with estrogen receptor.
The oil of pumpkin seeds has proved to contain
high percentage of phytoestrogens and sterols such
as secoisolariciresinol and lariciresinol (Patel, et al.,
2012). Sicilia, et al. (2003) reported that pumpkin
seeds contain secoisolariciresinol approximately 21
mg/100 g of dry weight and Philips, et al. (2005)
found 265 mg of phytoestrogens/100 g of seeds.
Supplementation of pumpkin seeds to rats showed
anti-atherogenic and hepato-protective effect in
hypercholesterolemic rats (Mazur and Adlercreutz,
1998; Makni, et al., 2008). Further study revealed
that pumpkin seeds exhibited estrogenic-like
effects such as regulating lipid metabolism, bone
remodeling, mammary gland and uterus epithelial
cells development. Phytoestrogen components were
the key role in inhibiting cardiovascular outcomes
and balancing the plasma lipids level such as total
cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-
density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglyceride (Gossell-
Williams, et al., 2008; Jones, et al., 2000; Zeb and
Ahmad, 2017). In conclusion, phytoestrogens and
tocopherols presented in pumpkin seeds contribute
to their estrogenic-like effects.
ANTICANCER ACTIVITIES
The previous studies reported that
phytoestrogen compounds in pumpkin seeds also
exerted an anticancer effect. Some reports showed
that pumpkin seeds are a good candidate for cancer
prevention and/or cancer treatment. As described in
the previous sentences, phytoestrogen compounds are
related to estrogen hormones. Thus, several studies
explored the association of the effect on estrogen
hormone-dependent malignancies, mainly breast
cancer. Richter, et al., (2013) conducted research
about the anticancer effect of pumpkin seeds extract
using human breast cancer cells (MCF7), human
chorionic carcinoma cell lines (Jeg3 and BeWo),
the results showed a cytotoxic effect on those
cancer cells and elevated the estradiol production
in a concentration-dependent manner. Interestingly,
this phenomenon looks to be a contradiction
because usually estrogenic-like effect promotes
cell proliferation. One of the explanations for this
phenomenon is that pumpkin seeds exert a biphasic
effect, estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities
through different pathways. This phenomenon also
found in several phytoestrogen compounds such as
genistein and daidzein (Guo, et al., 2004). Another
in vitro result was reported by Medjakovic, et al.
(2016), they found that hydroalcoholic pumpkin seed
extract inhibited not only cancer cells proliferation
but also hyperplastic cells, while weaker effects
on non-hyperplastic cells. They concluded that the
anticancer effect of pumpkin seeds was not mediated
through sex steroid hormone receptors. The previous
research also claimed that phytoestrogen like
isoavones are considered to exert estrogenic-like
effects but possess nonhormonal properties that
also may contribute to their effects (Messina and
Loprinzi, 2001). Cytotoxic effect of pumpkin seeds
ethanolic and aqueous extracts in prostate cancer in
vitro was conducted by Rathinavelu, et al. (2013) and
conrmed that the cytotoxic effects of both extracts
of pumpkin seeds was mediated through oxidative
stress, mitochondrial depolarization and apoptosis
mechanisms.
Jiang, et al. (2012) reported that there was
an inhibition of prostate cancer in vitro and in
vivo experiments in the group treated by pumpkin
seeds as a dietary supplement. The animal study
using Sprague dawley rats showed that the oil
from pumpkin seeds inhibited testosterone-induced
hyperplasia that would be useful in the management
of benign prostatic hyperplasia (Gossell-William,
et al., 2006). The clinical trial of benign prostate
cancer (BPH) patients has proved that after 3-months
treatment with pumpkin seed oil, the symptoms
were reduced especially in the early stage of cancer
(Friederich, et al., 2000; Hong, et al., 2009). In
the same study of human trial, a whole extract of
Stryrian oil pumpkin seeds was correlated to reduce
98
Lestari, et al, 2018
Indones. J. Cancer Chemoprevent., 9(2), 92-101
benign prostate hyperplasia-related symptoms
(Fruhwirth and Hermetter, 2007). Many reports also
claimed that the components such as cucurbitacins
and moschatin were found in pumpkin seeds and
in charge for anticancer activities. Cucurbitacins
have been isolated from several species of pumpkin
seeds and have been reported to induce apoptosis
through JAK/STAT, PARP, MAPK pathways
(Rios, et al., 2012). Moreover, Xia, et al. (2003)
reported that moschatin from the mature seeds
of pumpkin (Curcurbita moschata) inhibited the
growth of targeted melanoma cells M21. In general,
the molecular mechanism of anticancer effect of
pumpkin seeds should be claried further based on
particular concentrations and several types of cancer
cells.
ANTIOXIDANT AND FREE RADICAL
SCAVENGING PROPERTIES
Pumpkin seeds oil has been proven to
cont
ain high antioxidant vitamins like tocopherol
and carotenoid by several studies along with
sufcient oxidative stability (Xanthopoulou, et al.,
2009; Seif, 2014; Hernández-Santos, et al., 2016).
In vivo experiment was conducted by Bardaa, et
al., (2016) using the cutaneous wound healing rats
and revealed that oil from pumpkin seeds extracted
by cold pressure was better in macroscopic,
morphometric and histological data of rat skin than
the untreated group. The potent antioxidant effect
and protective activity against genotoxic chemicals
of pumpkin seeds has performed by Elky, et al.,
(2012). Those ndings have been consistently and
strongly demonstrated that pumpkin seeds oil was
accepted as antioxidant and free radical scavenger.
Fahim, et al. (1995) observed that treatment with
pumpkin seeds oil decreased free radicals and was
helpful for arthritis. In addition, Yasir, et al. (2016)
reported that extract of pumpkin seeds exhibited
antioxidant and genoprotective effects. Overall, the
high amount of tocopherol present in the pumpkin
seeds might be considered as playing a protective
role against toxic substances and free radicals.
NUTRACEUTICAL POTENTIAL AND
FUTURE PROSPECTIVE
In the recent years, pumpkin seeds have a large
range of application as a food or herbal medicine.
Those waste streams are valuable and can be utilized
for food products and/or nutraceutical products.
They can be consumed as a snack, salads or breakfast
cereal in the roasted form (salted or not). In addition,
they could be used in baking as the excellent
ingredients of bread or cakes. Moreover, their oil
is excellent and could gain acceptance as edible oil
and additive component in food, pharmaceutical
and cosmetic industries. Pumpkin seeds oil is useful
for frying, cooking, baking and salad dressing.
Supplement from pumpkin seeds could be developed
in the form of a soft capsule. In cosmetic industries,
they usually use for skin care products such as anti-
aging, free-radical scavenging, skin protection and
hair care products such as hair growth stimulants
and emollients. The consumption of pumpkin seeds
in the oil form or roasted pumpkin seeds is proved to
exhibit several positive health effects.
CONCLUSION
The general conclusion of this literature study
is that pumpkin seeds have emerging bioactive
compositions that promote health and human
life. All of these ndings bring us to the new
idea in developing and innovating nutraceuticals,
pharmaceuticals, and cosmeceuticals products from
pumpkin seeds for the large range application.
REFERENCES
Abd El-Ghany, M., Dalia, A.H. and Soha, M., 2010,
BiologicalStudyonTheEectofPumpkinSeeds
and Zinc on Reproductive Potential of Male
Rats. In: The 5th Arab and 2nd International
AnnualScientic Conference on RecentTrends
of Developing Institutional and Academic
Performance in Higher Specic Education
Institutionsin Egypt andArab World,pp.2384–
2404.
99
Indonesian Journal of Cancer Chemoprevention, June 2018
ISSN: 2088–0197
e-ISSN: 2355-8989
Applequist,W.L.,Avula,B.,Schaneberg,B.T.,Wang,
Y.H. and Khan, I. A., 2006, Comparative Fatty
AcidContentofSeedsofFourCucurbitaSpecies
GrowninACommon (Shared)Garden, J. Food
Compost. Anal., 19,606–611.
Al-Zuhair,H.,Abdel-Fattah,A.A.andAbdelLatif,H.
A.,1997, Ecacy ofSimvastatinandPumpkin-
seedOilinTheManagementofDietary-induced
Hypercholesterolemia, Pharmacol.Res., 35(5),
403–408.
Ardabili,A.G.,Farhoosh,R.andHaddadKhodaparast,
M.H., 2011, Chemical Composition and
Physicochemical Properties of Pumpkin Seeds
(Cucurbita pepo Subsp. Pepo Var. Styriaka)
GrowninIran,J. Agr. Sci. Tech.,13,1053–63.
Awad,A.B.,vonHoltz,R.L.,Cone,J.P.,Fink,C.S.
andChen, Y.C., 1998, b-sitosterolInhibits The
GrowthofHT-29 Human Colon Cancer Cells by
ActivatingTheSphingomyelinCycle,Anticancer
Res.,18,471–479.
Bardaa,S.,BenHalima,N.,Aloui,F.,Mansour,R.B.,
Jabeur,H., Bouaziz,M., et al.,2016, Oil from
Pumpkin(Cucurbita pepoL.)Seeds:Evaluation
of Its Functional Properties on Wound Healing
in Rats, Lipids Health Dis., 15(1), 73. doi:
10.1186/s12944-016-0237-0.
Caili,F.,Huan,S.andQuanhong,L.,2006,AReview
on Pharmacological Activities and Utilization
Technologies of Pumpkin, Plant Foods Hum.
Nutr.,61(2),73–80.
Cerny, K., Korydylas, M., Pospisil, F., Svabensk, O.
and Zajiir, B., 1971, Nutritive Value of The
WingedBean(PsophocarpuspalustrisDesv.),Br.
J. Nutr.,26(2),293-299.
ElkyS.A.,ElelaimyI.A.,HassanA.M.,IbrahimH.M.
and Elsayad R.I., 2012, Protective Eect of
PumpkinSeedOilAgainstGenotoxicityInduced
by Azathioprine, J. Basic Appl. Zool., 65(5),
289-98.
Fahim, A. T., Abdel-Fattah, A.A., Agha,A. M. and
Gad,M.Z.,1995,EectofPumpkinSeedOilon
The Level of Free Radical Scavengers Induced
During Adjuvant-arthritis in Rats, Pharmacol.
Res.,31(1),73–79.
Friederich, C., Theurer, G. and Schiebel-Schlosser,
G., 2000, Prosta Fink Forte Capsules in The
Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
Multicentric Surveillance Study in 2245
Patients, Forsch. Komplementarmed. Klass.
Naturheilkd.,7(4),200–204.
Fruhwirth,G.O.andHermetter,A.,2007,Seedsand
OilofTheStyrianOilPumpkin:Componentsand
BiologicalActivities, Eur. J. Lipid Sci.Technol.,
109(11),1128–1140.
Fu C.L., Shi H. and Li Q.H., 2006, A Review on
Pharmacological Activities and Utilization
Technologies of Pumpkin, Plant Foods Hum.
Nutr.,61(2),73–80.
Gemrot, F., Barouh, N., Vieu, J. P., Pioch, D.
and Montet, D., 2006, Eect of Roasting on
Tocopherols of Gourd Seeds (Cucurbita pepo),
Gras. Aceit.,57, 409–414.
Glew, R.H., Glew, R.S., Chuang, L.T., Huang, Y.S.,
Millson, M., Constans, D., et al., 2006, Amino
Acid,MineralandFattyAcidContentofPumpkin
Seeds (Cucurbita sp) and Cyperus Esculentus
NutsintheRepublicofNiger,Plant Foods Hum.
Nutr.,61(2),51–56.
Gossell-Williams, M., Davis, A. and O’Connor, N.,
2006, Inhibition of Testosterone-induced
HyperplasiaofThe ProstateofSprague-dawley
RatsbyPumpkinSeedOil,J. Med. Food,9(2),
284–286.
Gossell-Williams,M., Lyttle,K.,Clarke,T.,Gardner,
M.and Simon,O.,2008,Supplementation with
PumpkinSeedOilImprovesPlasmaLipidProle
and Cardiovascular Outcomes of Female Non-
ovariectomized and Ovariectomized Sprague-
DawleyRats,Phytother. Res.,22(7),873–877.
Guo, J.M., Xiao, B.X., Liu, D.H., Grant, M., Zhang,
S., Lai, Y.F., et al., 2004, Biphasic Eect of
DaidzeinonCellGrowthofHumanColonCancer
Cells,Food Chem. Toxicol.,42(10),1641-1646.
Hernández-SantosB.,Rodríguez-MirandaJ.,Herman-
LaraE.,Torruco-UcoJ.G., Carmona-García R.,
Juárez-Barrientos J.M., et al., 2016, Eect of
Oil Extraction Assisted by Ultrasound on The
Physicochemical Properties and Fatty Acid
Prole of Pumpkin Seed Oil (Cucurbita pepo),
Ultrason. Sonochem.,31,429–436.
Hong,C.S. Kim,S.Maeng,2009,EectsofPumpkin
Seed Oil and Saw Palmetto Oil in Korean Men
withSymptomaticBenignProstaticHyperplasia,
100
Lestari, et al, 2018
Indones. J. Cancer Chemoprevent., 9(2), 92-101
Nutr. Res. Pract.,3(4),323–327.
Jones, P.J.H., Raeini-Sarjaz, M., Ntanios, F.Y.,
Vanstone, C.A., Feng, J.Y. and Parsons W.E.,
2000, Modulation of Plasma Lipid Levels and
Cholesterol Kinetics by Phytosterol versus
PhytostanolEsters,J. Lipid Res.,41,697-705.
Khn, H., Chaitidis, P., Roeis, J. and Walther,
M., 2007, Arachidonic Acid Metabolites in
The Cardiovascular System: The Role of
Lipoxygenase Isoforms in Atherogenesis with
ParticularEmphasisonVascularRemodeling,J.
Cardiovasc. Pharmacol.,50,609–620.
Leung and Foster, 1996, Encyclopedia of Common
Natural Ingreadients Used in Food, Drugs and
Cosmetics, 2nd edition, New York: John Wiley
&Sons,Inc.
Mahmoud, L.H., Basiouny, S.O. and Dawoud, H.A.,
2002,TreatmentofExperimentalHeterophyiasis
withTwoPlantExtracts,ArecaNutandPumpkin
Seed,J. Egypt. Soc. Parasitol.,32(2),501–506.
Makni M., Fetoui H., Gargouri N. K., Garoui E. M.
and Zeghal N., 2011, Antidiabetic Eect of
FlaxandPumpkin Seed Mixture Powder:Eect
on Hyperlipidemia and Antioxidant Status in
AlloxanDiabetic Rats, J. Diabetes Complicat.,
25(5),339–345.
Makni,M.,Fetoui,H.,Gargouri,N.K.,Garoui,E.L.M.,
Jaber,H.,Makni,J.,et al.,2010,Hypolipidemic
andHepatoprotectiveSeedsMixtureDietRichin
w-3and w-6FattyAcids,Food Chem. Toxicol.,
48(8-9),2239−2246.
Mazur, W. and Adlercreutz, H., 1998, Naturally
Occurring Oestrogens in Food, Pure Appl.
Chem.,70(9),1759–1776.
Messina,M.J.andLoprinzi,C.L.,2001,SoyforBreast
Cancer Survivors: A Critical Review of The
Literature, J. Nutr.,131(11),3095S-3108S.
Miura, Y., 2013, The Biological Signicance of
w-oxidation of Fatty Acids, Proc. Jpn. Acad.
Ser. B Phys. Biol. Sci.,89(8),370-382.
Montesano, D., Blasi, F., Simonetti, M. S., Santini,
A. and Cossignani, L., 2018, Chemical and
Nutritional Characterization of Seed Oil from
CucurbitamaximaL.(var.Berrettina)Pumpkin,
Foods,7(3),30.doi:10.3390/foods7030030.
Murkovic,M.,Hillebrand,A.,Winkler,J.,Leitner,E.,
andPfann-hauser,W.,1996,VariabilityofFatty
AcidContentinPumkinSeeds(Cucurbitapepo
L), Z. Lebensm. Unters. Forsch., 202(4), 275-
278.
Murkovic, M., Piironen, V., Lampi, A., Kraushofer,
T.,andGerhard,S.,2004,ChangesinChemical
Composition of Pumpkin Seeds During The
Roasting Process for Production of Pumpkin
SeedOil(Part1:Non-volatileCompounds),Food
Chem.,84(3),359−365.
Nkosi C.Z., Opoku A.R. and Terblanche S.E., 2005,
Eect of Pumpkin Seed (Cucurbita pepo)
ProteinIsolateonTheActivityLevelsofCertain
PlasmaEnzymesinCCl4-InducedLiverInjuryin
Low-ProteinFed Rats, Phytother. Res.,19(4),
341–345.
Patel, D., Vaghasiya, J., Pancholi, S.S. and
Paul, A., 2012, Terapeutic Potential of
SecoisolariciresinolDiglucoside:APlantLignan,
Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Drug Res.,4(1)15-18.
Patel, S., 2013, Pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.) Seeds as
Nutraceutic:AReviewonStatusQuoandScopes,
Med. J. Nutrition Metab.,6(3),183-189.
Phillips,K.M.,Ruggio,D.M.andAshraf-Khorassani,
M., 2005, Phytosterol Composition of Nuts
andSeeds Commonly Consumedin The United
States, J. Agric. Food Chem., 53(24), 9436–
9445.
RabrenovicB.B.,DimicE.B.,NovakovicM.M.,Tesevic
V.V. andBasic Z.N., 2014,The Most Important
BioactiveComponentsofCold PressedOilfrom
Dierent Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) seeds,
Food Sci. Technol.,55,521–7.
Rezig, L., Chouaibi, M., Msaada, K. and Hamdi,
S., 2012, Chemical Composition and Pro
le Characterization of Pumpkin (Cucurbita
maxima)seedoil,Ind. Crops Prod.,37,82–87.
RosanoG, VitaleC,Marazzi G, VolterraniM., 2007,
Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease: The
Evidence, Climacteric.,10(Suppl1),19–24.
Ryan, E., Galvin, K., O’Connor, T. P., Maguire, A.R.
andO’Brien,N.M.,2007,Phytosterol,Squalene,
Tocopherol Content and Fatty Acid Prole of
Selected Seeds, Grains, and Legumes, Plant
Foods Hum. Nutr., 62(3),85–91.
Sabudak,T.,2007,FattyAcidCompositionofSeedand
101
Indonesian Journal of Cancer Chemoprevention, June 2018
ISSN: 2088–0197
e-ISSN: 2355-8989
Leaf Oils of Pumpkin, Walnut,Almond, Maize,
Sunower and Melon, Chem. Nat. Compd.,
43(4),465–467.
Sanders,T.H., 1980,Eectsof VarietyandMaturity
on Lipid Class Composition of Peanut Oil, J.
Am. Oil Chem.’ Soc, 1980, 57. doi: 10.1007/
BF02675516.
Seif, HS., 2014, Ameliorative Eect of Pumpkin Oil
(Cucurbita pepo L.) Against Alcohol-induced
Hepatotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in Albino
Rats,Beni-Suef Univ. J. Basic Appl. Sci.,3(3),
178-85.
Sicilia,T.,Niemeyer,H.B., Honig, D.M. and Metzler,
M., 2003, Identication and Stereochemical
Characterization of Lignans in Flaxseed and
Pumpkin Seeds, J. Agric. Food Chem., 51(5),
1181–1188.
Stevenson, D.G., Eller, F.J., Wang, L., Jane, J.L.,
Wang, T. and Inglett, G.E, 2007, Oil and
TocopherolContentandCompositionofPumpkin
SeedOil in12Cultivars, J. Agric. Food Chem.,
55(10),4005–4013.
Thompson,L.U.,Seidl,M.M.,Rickard,S.E.,Orcheson,
L.J. and Fong, H.H.S., 1996, Antitumorigenic
Eect of a Mammalian Lignan Precursor from
Flaxseed,Nutr. Cancer, 26(2),159–165.
TindallH.D.,1983,Vegetables in the Crops, London:
MacmillanPress.
WinklerJ.,2000,TheOriginandBreedingofHull-less
SeededStyrianOil-pumpkinVarietiesinAustria,
Cucurbit Genetics Coop. Rpt.,23, 101–104.
Xanthopoulou, M.N., Nomikos, T., Fragopoulou, E.
and Antonopoulou, S., 2009, Antioxidant and
Lipoxygenase Inhibitory Activities of Pumpkin
SeedExtracts,Food Res. Int.,42(5-6),641-646.
Xia, H.C., Feng, L.I., Zhen, L.I. and Zhang, Z.C.,
2003, Purication and Characterization of
Moschatin,ANovelTypeIRibosome-inactivating
Protein from The Mature Seeds of Pumpkin
(Cucurbita moschata), and Preparation of Its
Immunotoxin Against Human Melanoma Cells,
Cell Res., 13(5),369-374.
YasirM.,SultanaB.,NigamP.S.and Owusu-Apenten
R., 2016, Antioxidant and Genoprotective
ActivityofSelectedCucurbitaceaeSeedExtracts
and LC–ESIMS/MS Identication of Phenolic
Components,Food Chem.,199,307–313.
Zeb,A.andAhmad,S.,2017,ChangesinAcylglycerols
Composition, Quality Characteristics and In
vivo Eects of Dietary Pumpkin Seed Oil upon
Thermal Oxidation, Front. Chem., 5, 55. doi:
10.3389/fchem.2017.00055.
... 1 Pumpkin seeds show a decent helpful movement by being utilized as a protected diuretic and de-worming specialists and the seed oil likewise shows a vital job as acting nervine tonic. 2 Pumpkin seed oil has areas of strength for a property, and has been utilized to treat in various medical issues, for example, forestalling of the development of prostate and furthermore by lessening the size of the prostate, likewise supportive for diminishing the tension of urethra and bladder and furthermore help to further develop bladder consistence, easing of diabetes by advancing hypoglycaemic action, and bringing down degree of gastric, bosom, lung, and colorectal cancer. 3,4 Other various exercises shown by the plant are as per the following cell reinforcement activity, 5 anticarcinogenic activity, 6 hypolipidamic activity, 7 antihelmentic activity, 8 hostile to hypertensive and cardioprotective, 9 immunomodulatory activity. ...
Article
Full-text available
The Cucurbita maxima which generally known as pumpkin, belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. The Cucurbitaceae plants are known as cucurbits. They are developed in tropical and subtropical zones. Cucurbit species include pumpkins, squashes, gourds and melons. Streptozotocin was found from soil bacterium (Streptomyces achromogenes) which is a compound in nature having antibacterial properties. This is a glucosamine nitrosourea containing compound and furthermore goes about as alkylating specialist that causes DNA harm and shows poisonous nature to the islet β-cells. Carbonium particles are the degradable type of Streptozotocin (STZ) and alkalyting purine and pyrimidine bases are adducted structure the DNA. Glibenclamide hinders of the K+ particles channels which prompts depolarization of β-cells and discharged insulin. Streptozotocin makes pancreas enlarge and finally causes degeneration in Langerhans islet β-cells and prompts trial diabetes. It additionally changes typical digestion in diabetic rodents (rats) in correlation with ordinary rodents. The current exploration manages the different sorts of concentrates like petrol ether separates, ethyl acetic acid derivation concentrates, and alcoholic concentrates of seeds of Cucurbita maxima (Cucurbitaceae) on Streptozotocin prompted diabetic rodents. The petrol ether separates, ethyl acetic acid derivation and alcoholic concentrate were viewed as diminished the blood glucose level to 163.55 ± 4.23 mg/dL, 91.50 ± 1.93 mg/dL and 189.91 ± 1.89 mg/dL on 36 hour of the review (p<0.05). The ethyl acetic acid derivation removal was viewed as best in diminishing the fasting glucose level of rodents.
... According to the primary hemostasis test, the tested oil from pumpkin seeds seems to help blood clotting as it has shortened the bleeding time. Thus, the haemo-static effect of this tested oil reported in this work could provide an explanation for its healing effect [38] . ...
... (Cho et al., 2014) Pumpkin seeds can also be used for treating heterophyiasis, immune-regulatory potential, anti-peroxidative qualities, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, anti-oxidant and antiinflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, insecticidal, or fungal infections. (Lestari B, 2018) 5Conclusion: ...
Article
Full-text available
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common problem where people experience gradual hair loss, especially on the scalp. Men and women both experience it, but the most severe hair loss happens in the middle of the scalp. It often starts during puberty and can really affect how someone feels about themselves and their life. However, there are not many approved treatments available for it. Some products claim to help with hair loss, but not all of them have been proven to work. Right now, minoxidil and finasteride are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating androgenetic alopecia. Additionally, the HairMax LaserComb, which has FDA clearance, is recognized by the FDA as a treatment option for this condition.
Article
Full-text available
The functional properties of pumpkin seed proteins remain unutilized in numerous food and industrial applications. Several current approaches aim to improve the functional properties of pumpkin seed proteins, allowing their innovative potential to develop and modify significantly. Several strategies can be implemented to alter the functional properties of proteins isolated from pumpkin seeds. The first is enzymatic hydrolysis, regardless of whether, proteases may free peptide binding and profoundly impact the protein structure and functionality. Thermal treatment can include heating and cooling to replace protein conformation and increase solubility, emulsification, and gelation properties. Chemical modification techniques, including acylation and glycation, can also be used to improve stability, viscosity, and foaming ability. Functional properties and, where possible, ingredients with many applications may include exceptional possibilities for proteins modified in food preparations, such as dairy replacements, plant-based meat analogues, and free gluten that have an outstanding aspect, satisfactory quality, and nutritional profiles. As multiple different proteins act as precursors of active peptides, they can also be used to generate bio-specific foods. This review briefly provides information about various types of protein extraction techniques and functional properties that are modified by different types of processing technologies.
Article
Full-text available
Introduction: Despite the traditional use of Cucurbita pepo seed in pregnancy, its effects on female reproduction remain scarce. This study evaluated the impacts of n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), and aqueous ethanol extracts of C. pepo seed on the cyclicity and reproductive hormones of female Wistar rats. Methods: Ten groups of four rats received seed extracts or tween 80 orally for 21 days: A (control)= 0.5 mL tween 80 (vehicle); B, C, & D= 142.86, 285.71, and 428.57 mg/kg nHE; E, F, & G= 142.86, 285.71, 428.57 mg/kg of DCM; and H, I, & J= 142.86, 285.71, 428.57 mg/kg of aqueous ethanol extracts, respectively. Vaginal cytology monitored the estrous cycle daily, and blood samples were obtained for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen, and progesterone at various oestrus cycle phases. Results: Compared to the control, the estrous cycle phases did not change significantly (P>0.05). FSH levels significantly increased (P<0.05) with DCM and aqueous ethanol extracts of C. pepo seed during proestrus and estrus phases compared to the control. A significant (P<0.05) increase in LH was observed with n-hexane, DCM, and aqueous ethanol extracts during all estrous cycle phases compared to the control. All extracts significantly increased estrogen levels (P<0.05) during all phases. DCM and aqueous ethanol extracts reduced substantially the estrus-phase progesterone. Conclusion: Cucurbita pepo may stimulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in female reproduction. Further studies should be conducted using various phytoestrogen compounds to gain useful knowledge about the effectiveness, safety, and long-term effects of C. pepo seed extracts in regulating hormonal balance.
Article
Full-text available
A well-known edible plant in the Cucurbitaceae family, the pumpkin has long been utilized as a functional meal or a herbal remedy. Pumpkin seeds are rich in phytoestrogens, vitamin E, and unsaturated fatty acids, which may have medicinal and nutraceutical uses. The use of pumpkins in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of conditions, including inflammation, dyslipidemia, bacterial or fungal infections, malignancies, intestinal parasites, hypertension, arthritis, and hyperglycemia, has drawn attention to the need for additional study on both the fruits and seeds of the pumpkin plant. Proteins, antioxidative phenolic compounds, tocopherols, triterpenes, saponins, phytosterols, lignans, and carotenoids are some of the micro- and macro-constituent compositions that improve pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds have antidepressant properties and are mostly used in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BHP). Regular pumpkin seed eating lowers the risk of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Since pumpkin seeds are high in tocopherols, they can be extracted for edible oil and then used to formulate other foods at a later time. The pharmacological effects of pumpkin seeds have made them quite popular. Additionally, pumpkin seed oil has numerous health advantages. Pumpkin seeds are mostly composed of unsaturated fatty acids, which have been shown to provide potential health benefits and to prevent disease. Although pumpkin seeds are clearly very useful, their full potential has not yet been discovered.
Chapter
Natural plants are abundant in several nutrients and bioactive components that are used in commercially available medicines for the management and cure of various diseases. From ancient times, pumpkin has been a multi-functional ingredient in our diet with excellent nutritive values and as a herbal medicine. Pumpkin belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family; it is widely cultivated and distributed across the world. Pumpkin seeds (PS) or Cucurbita species are used in the treatment of various ailments because of the medicinal properties possessed by their bioactive components. PS contain different phytoconstituents belonging to the category of amino acids, alkaloids, fatty acids, glycosides, minerals, nutrients, phenolic compounds, phytosterols, squalene, tocopherols and vitamins. PS oil and PS extract provide potential therapeutic advantages against several diseases, including anticancer, antihypertensive, antibacterial, protective, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, and antihyperlipidemic activities. This chapter summarizes the botanical descriptions, phytochemical constituents and therapeutic uses of PS, mostly emphasizing on cancer prevention and antiproliferative constituents from the relevant literature.
Article
Full-text available
Pumpkin (Cucurbitaspp.) has received considerable attention in recent years because of the nutritional and health-protective value of seed oil. The nutritional composition of pumpkin native to central Italy, locally known as "Berrettina" (Cucurbita maximaL.), was evaluated. In particular, the lipid fraction of seed oil was characterized, and the triacylglycerol (TAG) was thoroughly studied by using a stereospecific procedure to obtain the intrapositional fatty acid composition of the threesn-positions of the glycerol backbone of TAG. Moreover, alkaline hydrolysis was carried out to study the main components of the unsaponifiable fraction, i.e., sterols and alcohols. It was observed that monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids were the most abundant (41.7% and 37.2%, respectively) in Berrettina pumpkin seed oil, with high content of oleic and linoleic acid (41.4% and 37.0%, respectively). The main sterols of Berrettina pumpkin seed oil were Δ7,22,25-stigmastatrienol, Δ7,25-stigmastadienol, and spinasterol; with regard to the alcoholic fraction, triterpenic compounds were more abundant than aliphatic compounds (63.2% vs. 36.8%). The obtained data are useful to evaluate pumpkin seed oil from a nutritional point of view. The oil obtained from the seed could be used as a preservative and as a functional ingredient in different areas, e.g., cosmetics, foods, and nutraceuticals.
Article
Full-text available
This study was aimed to determine the acylglycerols composition, quality characteristics, and protective role of dietary pumpkin seed oil (PSO) in rabbits. PSO was thermally oxidized and analyzed for quality characteristics and acylglycerols composition using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). Oxidized and un-oxidized oil samples were fed to the rabbits in different doses for 2 weeks. The changes in the serum biochemistry, hematology, and liver histology were studied. The levels of quality parameters such peroxide value (PV), anisidine value (AV), total phenolic contents (TPC), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), conjugated dienes (CD) and conjugated trienes (CT) significantly increased with thermal treatment. HPLC analyses revealed 10 individual triacylglycerols (TAGs), total di-acylglycerols (DAGs), mono-acylglycerols (MAGs), and total oxidized TAGs. Trilinolein (LLL), 1-oleoyl-2,3-dilinolinoyl glycerol (OLL), triolein (OOO) and 1,2-distearoyl-3-palmitoyl glycerol (SSP) were present in higher amounts and decreased with thermal treatment. Animal's studies showed that oxidized oils decreased the whole body weight, which was ameliorated by the co-administration of un-oxidized oils. The levels of serum biochemical parameters were improved by co-administration of pumpkin seed oils. There were no significant effects of both oxidized and un-oxidized PSO on the hematological and histological parameters of rabbits. In conclusion, nutritionally important triacylglycerols were present in PSO with protective role against the toxicity of its corresponding oxidized oils.
Article
Full-text available
Background Increasing natural drug demand for pharmaceutical uses has encouraged scientifics all over the world to explore medicinal plants recognized as efficient remedies. In this context, extracted oil from pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo L.) is an interesting target, as it is composed with prominent pharmacological properties to possible wound healing treatments. Methods The composition and content of certain bioactive constituents of the cold pressed oil obtained from pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo L.) were analyzed and studied for their wound healing properties. Uniform wounds were induced on the dorsum of 18 rats, randomly divided into three groups. The wounds were photographed, and topically treated with saline solution (control group), 0.13 mg/mm2 of a reference drug (“Cicaflora cream®”), and 0.52 μl/mm2 of pumpkin’s oil each 2 days until the first group is completely healing and so far biopsies were histologically assessed. Results The composition and content of tocopherols, fatty acids, and phytosterols were determined. The results showed an excellent quality of pumpkin oil with high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (Linoleic acid: 50.88 ± 0.106 g/100 g of total fatty acids), tocopherols (280 ppm) and sterols (2086.5 ± 19.092 ppm). High content of these bioactive components were in agreement with an efficient wound healing by the mean of an in vivo study. In fact, morphometric assessment and histological findings revealed healed biopsies from pumpkin oil treated group of rats, unlike untreated group, and a full re-epithelialization with reappearance of skin appendages and well organized collagen fibers without inflammatory cells. Conclusions This study showed the significance of oil from pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo L.) as a promising drug to healing wounds in animal assays. As a whole, pumpkin’s oil would be recommended in the nutritional and medicinal purposes.
Article
Full-text available
Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective role of pumpkin oil on experimental alcohol – induced hepatotoxicity. Materials and methods: Rats are divided into three groups of 10 animals each. Group one (G1) was the control group is orally given distilled water for 4 weeks. Group two (G2) is given absolute ethyl alcohol (10%) in drinking water for 4 weeks. Group three (G3) alcohol– administered rats were pretreated with pumpkin oil (50 mg/kg body weight) three times per week for three weeks and alcohol (10%) three times per week (at the first two weeks of the experiment). Results: Alcohol caused a marked rise in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transferase (γGT) activities. Concerning oxidative stress and antioxidant defense system, the depleted hepatic glutathione content, glutathione-S-transferase and catalase activities of alcohol-administered rats were potentially increased above normal levels as a result of pretreatment with pumpkin oil. However, while elevated lipid peroxidation was noticed in alcohol treated rats, pretreatment with pumpkin oil produced a detectable decrease in lipid peroxidation level. Conclusion: The natural plant components found in pumpkin could improve the liver against alcohol-induced liver toxicity and oxidative stress. However, further clinical studies are required to assess the safety and benefits of pumpkin oil in human beings.
Article
Full-text available
Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) is a plant lignan mainly found in dietary food and various plants. It belongs to a bioactive polyphenolic chemical class. SDG and its metabolites (mammalian enterolignan) are having various pharmacological activities, viz., antioxidant, partial agonist to estrogen receptor and inhibitor of tyrosine kinase and topoisomerase. Although, human studies are limited, its pharmacological actions explain its use in diabetes, atherosclerosis, breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer and in cardiovascular disease.
Article
Chemical composition and physicochemical properties of pumpkin seeds and fatty acids of their oil were determined. It was found that the seeds contained 41.59% oil and 25.4% protein. Moisture, crude fiber, total ash, and carbohydrate contents were 5.2%, 5.34%, 2.49%, and 25.19%, respectively. The specific gravity, dynamic viscosity, and refractive index of the extracted pumpkin seed oil were 0.915, 93.659 cP, and 1.4662, respectively. Acid value (mg KOH/g oil), peroxide value (meq O 2 /kg oil), iodine value (g I 2 /100 g oil), saponification number (mg KOH/ g oil), and unsaponifiable matter content (%) of the extracted oil from pumpkin seeds were 0.78, 0.39, 10.85, 104.36, 190.69, and 5.73, respectively. Total phenolics compounds (mg gallic acid/kg oil), total tocopherols (mg α-tocopherol/kg oil), total sterols (%), and waxes (%) were 66.27, 882.65, 1.86, and 1.58, respectively. Specific extinctions at two wavelengths of 232 nm (K 232) and 270 nm (K 270) and R-value (K 232 /K 270) were 3.80, 3.52 and 0.74, respectively. Gas chromatographic analysis of the pumpkin seed oil showed that the linoleic (39.84%), oleic (38.42%), palmitic (10.68%) and stearic (8.67%) acids were the major fatty acids. Compared with other vegetable oils, the present study revealed that pumpkin seed oil can be a valuable source of edible oil.