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Medicinal and biological potential of pumpkin: An updated review
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The use of herbal remedies individually or in combination with standard medicines has been used in various medical treatises for the cure of different diseases. Pumpkin is one of the well-known edible plants and has substantial medicinal properties due to the presence of unique natural edible substances. It contains several phyto-constituents belonging to the categories of alkaloids, flavonoids, and palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids. Various important medicinal properties including anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and others have been well documented. The purpose of the present article is to discuss various medicinal and biological potentials of pumpkin that can impart further research developments with this plant for human health benefits.
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... Pumpkin is mainly made up of pulp and seeds; in addition to polysaccharides, pigments, amino acids, active proteins, and minerals, pumpkin pulp also contains trace minerals, whereas seeds are a good source of lipids and proteins with the minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus (Papanov., et al. 2021). Pumpkins are commonly used as a vegetable, but in some countries such as Brazil, America, India, and Mexico, it is used as a medicine to cure diabetes, hypotension, inflammation and hepatoprotection (Yadav et al. 2010). It has been revealed that there is no accumulation of contaminants acquired from the soil in the fruits of pumpkins, thus it is considered as a vegetable, containing low levels of heavy metals as compared to others (Kaur et al. 2019). ...
... The seeds of pumpkin are known as pepitas, which are small in size, cream to greenish in color, and edible having the nutty flavor with chewy texture. Usually, these pepitas are covered with white husk whereas some varieties contain seeds without husk (Yadav et al. 2010). Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of sulfur with a low amount of antinutritional components such as phytic acid and trypsin, as shown in Figure 2. Seeds comprises nearly about 34% of the total weight of pumpkins. ...
... The most important polysaccharide known as pectin is mainly found in the peels of pumpkin and is regraded important for the formation of structural component of the cell wall of the plants. Seeds contain around 3% of fiber and 2.17% of starch (Habib et al. 2015;Yadav et al. 2010). ...
Among all vegetables pumpkin is one of the most important crops which is utilized in the rural as well as urban regions. Pumpkin belongs to family Cucurbitaceae; it is consumed throughout the globe because of its several herbal and medicinal values. Due to the high content of nutritional components such as phenolics, linoleic acid, oils, peptides, vitamin C and E, flavonoids, carotene, protein, terpenoids, phytosterols, and minerals present in pumpkin, it is counted among valuable vegetables. Different evidences from many studies presented the medicinal and therapeutic values of pumpkin peel, pulp, and seeds. Therefore all parts of the pumpkin must be utilized so as to get positive health effects by consuming pumpkin or its parts. Apart from health benefits, pumpkin has been utilized in different fields of food industry such as in meat, bakery, beverage, and diary industries. Rather than consuming pumpkin in raw form, many methods and technologies have been used to develop new and innovative products that can be beneficial in terms of health and nutrition. Therefore, this review was designed to elaborate the phytochemistry, therapeutic and medicinal values, applications in food sector, as well as the toxicity of pumpkin and its parts (peel, pulp, and seeds).
... Senyawa fenolik dan tokoferol dalam labu kuning dapat bermanfaat sebagai antidiabetes, antioksidan, antibakteri dan antifungi [2], [3]. Bijinya mengandung peptid yang memiliki aktifitas sebagai antifungi dan antibakteri. ...
... Bijinya mengandung peptid yang memiliki aktifitas sebagai antifungi dan antibakteri. Minyak labu kuning yang diekstraksi menggunakan pelarut polar, pada konsentrasi 2% dapat menghambat pertumbuhan bakteri Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, S. aureus, Acinetobacter baumanii, Aeromonas veronii biogroup sobria, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella enterica subsp, Enterica serotype typhimurium, dan Serratia marcescens [2]. ...
... Beberapa golongan flavonoid yang memiliki aktivitas terhadap penghambatan bakteri S. aureus, E. coli dan P. aeruginosa antara lain kaempferol, kuersetin, rutin, apigenin, viteksin, dan isoviteksin [19]. Studi literatur yang telah dilakukan juga membuktikan bahwa biji labu kuning memiliki aktivitas penghambatan pada bakteri S. aureus dan E. coli [2]. ...
Minyak biji labu kuning merupakan minyak nabati yang memiliki kandungan senyawa metabolit yang bermanfaat bagi kesehatan, salah satunya untuk menghambat pertumbuhan bakteri. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi karakteristik fisik dan potensi minyak biji labu kuning dalam menghambat pertumbuhan bakteri gram positif Staphylococcus aureus dan Propionibacterium acnes . Minyak diperoleh melalui proses ekstraksi sokletasi menggunakan pelarut n-heksana, kemudian dilakukan skrining fitokimia flavonoid, saponin, dan tanin, serta penentuan karakteristik fisik meliputi uji organoleptis, pH, bobot jenis, bilangan asam, bilangan iodium, dan bilangan penyabunan. Metode difusi cakram digunakan untuk mengevaluasi potensi antibakteri dengan kontrol positif doksisiklin 30 µg. Perbedaan potensi dianalisis menggunakan one-way ANOVA dengan taraf kepercayaan 95%. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan minyak biji labu kuning memiliki kandungan flavonoid dan saponin, namun tidak memiliki kandungan tanin. Minyak biji labu kuning memiliki warna kuning, bau khas labu, dengan pH 5 ± 0, bobot jenis 0,89 g/mL, bilangan asam 6 ± 0 mg NaOH/g, bilangan iodium 14,63 ± 0,77 g I2/100g, dan bilangan penyabunan 449 mg KOH/100g. Diameter zona hambat minyak biji labu kuning terhadap bakteri S. aureus sebesar 1,89 ± 0,703 mm dan P. acnes sebesar 0,6 ± 0,06 mm. Kontrol positif doksisiklin memiliki diameter zona hambat sebesar 28,19 ± 2,959 mm terhadap S. aureus dan 27,8 ± 1,21 mm terhadap P. acnes . Minyak biji labu kuning memiliki kandungan senyawa flavonoid dan saponin yang berperan menghambat pertumbuhan bakteri, namun memiliki potensi lemah dalam menghambat pertumbuhan bakteri gram positif S. aureus dan P. acnes .
... The introduction has the properties of growthpromoting ability, a tonic to improve the immune system, antimicrobial capability, and stimulating appetite and anti-stress characteristics (Citarasu et al., 2010) [3] . Pumpkin is a well-known edible plant with substantial medicinal properties due to its unique natural edible substances (Yadav et al., 2010) [17] . Pumpkin belongs to the genus Cucurbita, family Cucurbitaceae, and economically important species are Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita ficifolia, Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita mixta and Telfairia occidentalis (Singh & Kumar et al., 2023) [15] . ...
... The introduction has the properties of growthpromoting ability, a tonic to improve the immune system, antimicrobial capability, and stimulating appetite and anti-stress characteristics (Citarasu et al., 2010) [3] . Pumpkin is a well-known edible plant with substantial medicinal properties due to its unique natural edible substances (Yadav et al., 2010) [17] . Pumpkin belongs to the genus Cucurbita, family Cucurbitaceae, and economically important species are Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita ficifolia, Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita mixta and Telfairia occidentalis (Singh & Kumar et al., 2023) [15] . ...
This study investigates the impact of incorporating pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seed powder (PSP) into the diet of Labeo rohita fingerlings over 60 days. Pumpkin seeds, known for their high antioxidant and vitamin E content, are used as immuno-nutrients due to their nutritional profile and 24.12% protein content. However, they also contain antinutritional and potentially toxic components such as polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, and cyanogenic glycosides. PSP was included in fish diets at varying levels: T0 (0%), T1 (1.5%), T2 (3%), T3 (4.5%), and T4 (6%). Immune responses were evaluated, revealing that a diet containing 4.5% PSP (T3) significantly improved immunity. By the end of the 60-day trial, immune parameters such as erythrocyte count, leukocyte count, and respiratory burst activity were notably enhanced in the T3 group. Proximate composition analysis indicated higher protein and fat content in the T3 treatments. Therefore, a diet with 4.5% PSP enhanced fish immunity optimally.
... They Introduction have the properties of growthpromoting ability, a tonic to improve the antimicrobial capability, and stimulating appetite and anti-stress characteristics (Citarasu et al., 2010) [2] . Pumpkin is a well-known edible plant with substantial medicinal properties due to its unique natural edible substances (Yadav et al., 2010) [15] . Pumpkin seed has considerable economic importance, generating huge amounts of seeds. ...
... They Introduction have the properties of growthpromoting ability, a tonic to improve the antimicrobial capability, and stimulating appetite and anti-stress characteristics (Citarasu et al., 2010) [2] . Pumpkin is a well-known edible plant with substantial medicinal properties due to its unique natural edible substances (Yadav et al., 2010) [15] . Pumpkin seed has considerable economic importance, generating huge amounts of seeds. ...
This study evaluates the effects of the dietary inclusion of Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seed powder (PSP) on the growth and survival of Labeo rohita fingerlings over 60 days. Pumpkin seeds are rich in antioxidants and vitamin E. It has antinutritional and toxic factors, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, and cyanogenic glycosides. PSP was incorporated at varying levels (T0 (0%), T1 (1.5%), T2 (3%), T3 (4.5%), and T4 (6%) Pumpkin seed powder) into fish diets. Growth parameters and survival were assessed, and it showed that 4.5% PSP diet (T3) significantly improved growth rates and feed conversion ratio. However, survival rates were unaffected across treatments. Thus, a 4.5% PSP diet optimally enhances fish growth and Survival.
... The introduction has the properties of growthpromoting ability, a tonic to improve the immune system, antimicrobial capability, and stimulating appetite and anti-stress characteristics (Citarasu et al., 2010) [3] . Pumpkin is a well-known edible plant with substantial medicinal properties due to its unique natural edible substances (Yadav et al., 2010) [17] . Pumpkin belongs to the genus Cucurbita, family Cucurbitaceae, and economically important species are Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita ficifolia, Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita mixta and Telfairia occidentalis (Singh & Kumar et al., 2023) [15] . ...
... The introduction has the properties of growthpromoting ability, a tonic to improve the immune system, antimicrobial capability, and stimulating appetite and anti-stress characteristics (Citarasu et al., 2010) [3] . Pumpkin is a well-known edible plant with substantial medicinal properties due to its unique natural edible substances (Yadav et al., 2010) [17] . Pumpkin belongs to the genus Cucurbita, family Cucurbitaceae, and economically important species are Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita ficifolia, Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita mixta and Telfairia occidentalis (Singh & Kumar et al., 2023) [15] . ...
... In addition to nutrient composition, it is composed of various biological active components such as polysaccharides, protein, peptide, sterols and para-amino benzoic acids [7,9]. These biological active components have shown to be wide range of medicinal properties such as anti-diabetic activity, antioxidant activity, anti-carcinogenic effect and anti-microbial effect [7,10]. ...
Background
Recently, the pumpkin by-products such as peels and seeds become more and more interesting for confectionary sector, because of the nutritional and bioactive composition. The study was conducted to develop cookies and noodles using different pumpkin by-products (such as peels and seeds) powders in different concentrations and to evaluate the changes in quality characteristics. The powders were prepared from pumpkin seeds and peels.
Methodology
In this study, various concentrations of pumpkin peel powder (5%, 10%, and 20%) and seeds powder (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) were mixed with commercially available wheat flour to produce cookies and noodles. Furthermore, the nutritional, antioxidant, functional and sensory properties of the developed cookies and noodles were evaluated.
Result
Pumpkin peels and seeds powder and their respective products enrich significantly in protein, fiber, beta-carotene, antioxidants such as total phenolic content (TPC), 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH scavenging activity), Ferric reducing ability (FRAP Ferric reducing power assay), ash content and hunter color values. However, pumpkin seed powder had higher protein content (33.25%) than other powders but pumpkin peel powder (16.83%±1.74) had better fiber content than seeds powder. The highest amount of fiber content was found in 10% pumpkin peel cookies. The analysis of the composition of pumpkin peels and seeds powder has been done in order to further promote their functionality in bakery products based, especially, on wheat flour.
Conclusion
The best quality and overall acceptable product were obtained when samples were 10% pumpkin peel powder, 15% pumpkin seed powder, and, 10% pumpkin peel powder noodles.
... Pumpkin seeds are rich in vitamin E (tocopherols), carotenoids including lutein, phenolic compounds, and tocopherol. Flavonoids in pumpkin increase insulin secretion and b-cell mass in diabetic patients (Yadav et al. 2010). These seeds are a great source of mono-unsaturated fats. ...
Diabetes is one of the most common noncommunicable diseases, affecting a significant section of the global population. Some factors, such as genetics and lifestyle, are considered when distinguishing diabetes from other diseases. Diabetes management is difficult in developing countries due to variety of factors, including an increase in prevalence in both urban and rural areas, lack of public awareness of the disease, lack of readily accessible medical facilities, and high treatment costs. Chemical drugs, which have a number of harmful side effects on the human body, are presently the major treatment strategy for diabetes. Various studies have shown that use of herbal remedies have no harmful effects on the human body and may even be utilised as useful and preventative components in the treatment of diabetes. To that purpose, the article is endeavoring to identify the best natural diabetes treatments. Various herbal seeds and leaves were reviewed for their phytochemical composition and anti-diabetic potency in this study. A wide range of seeds, including chia seeds, hemp seeds, mustard seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, fenugreek seeds, avocado seeds, poppy seeds, cumin seeds, jamun seeds, and carom seeds, have been thoroughly investigated for their anti-diabetic properties. Various herbal leaves, including those from guava, mango, papaya, betel, curry, neem, aloe vera, mulberry, holy basil, dandelion, banana, and blueberry, are also discussed in relation to their effects on diabetes. The in vitro and in vivo studies on the anti-diabetic potential of herbal seeds and leaves extracts and fractions were discussed.
This chapter explores the many health advantages of pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds, are rich in essential nutrients that include omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and zinc, emerge as a powerhouse of nutritional value. This chapter encompasses their potential role in promoting heart health, with a focus on their ability to modulate cholesterol levels and blood pressure. The chapter also highlights the antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory qualities of pumpkin seeds, emphasizing their potential to lower the risk of chronic illnesses. The impact of these seeds on metabolic health and their potential role in weight management are also addressed. This chapter aims to emphasize the importance of including pumpkin seeds in a balanced diet for improved general health and well-being through an extensive analysis of scientific literature and empirical data.
The pumpkin, which is classified under the genus Cucurbita and the family Cucurbitaceae, is cultivated globally for many purposes. It serves as a culinary ingredient, livestock feed, and is occasionally utilized for decorative purposes. Following the harvest, the seeds have been frequently utilized as animal feed, crushed for fertilizer, or even wasted, despite their high nutritional value, excellent grade oil, and abundant protein content. Due to growing public consciousness regarding sustainable agriculture, clean along with effective energy, and waste management technology, seeds of pumpkin have the potential to gain a larger portion of the snack food industry’s market. The utilization of these byproducts enhances the worth of the manufacturing, while also aiding in the creation of novel food products. Therefore, it presents a fresh chance to investigate the potential for manufacturing technologies to create various value-added goods using pumpkin seeds. This study focuses on reviewing studies conducted the nutritional advantages of pumpkin seeds. The application of pumpkin seeds as a nutritional supplement in food items is regarded as a viable option. Additionally, pumpkin seeds may be ingested as a food source because of their higher oil and vitamin content.
Incorporation of pumpkin seed meal, pumpkin protein concentrate and isolate and canola protein concentrate and isolate in the production of breads was evaluated. Pumpkin seed meal and protein concentrate and canola protein concentrate and isolate can be added to wheat flour up to 18% protein concentration, while pumpkin protein isolate can be added to wheat flour up to 22% protein concentration without a detrimental effect on dough or loaf quality. Further incorporation larger than 18 and 22% protein concentration yielded dense, compact. unacceptable breads. The addition of pumpkin and canola proteins increased the protein, lysine and mineral (Ca. P, Cu, Fe and Mg) contents of the breads by 11-38%, 90-200% and 70-135%, respectively. Lysine and tyrosine were the first limiting amino acids for control breads and bread enriched with canola protein concentrate, respectively. Valine was the first limiting amino acid in preads enriched with canola protein isolate, pumpkin seed meal, pumpkin protein concentrate and isolate. The chemical scores and essential amino acid indices of breads enriched with pumpkin and canola proteins were increased by 55-80% and 14-27%, respectively, compared to chemical scores and essential amino acid indices of control breads.
To find specific risk factors of gastric cancer (GC) independent of GC family history (GCFH), 2 studies were conducted using the database of the Hospital‐based Epidemiological Research Program at Aichi Cancer Center: (i) a comparison of lifestyles between non‐cancer cases with positive and negative GCFH status and (ii) a case‐reference investigation of subjects with and without GCFH, treated separately. The first showed no significant variation of GCFH status with regard to smoking, drinking and most food habits. Multivariate analyses in the case‐referent studies revealed odds ratios (ORs) for GC associated with habitual smoking of 2.78 (95% CI 1.22–6.28) for those with and 2.74 (95% CI 1.76–4.26) for those without GCFH. In individuals with GCFH, an independently lowered OR (0.52, 95% CI 0.27–0.99) was evident for frequent consumption of raw vegetables, whereas the opposite was noted for pickled vegetables (2.39, 95% CI 1.28–4.45). No statistically significant interaction was found between GCFH and selected lifestyle items. In conclusion, our results suggest a limited influence of GCFH on risk factors for GC. Int. J. Cancer 86:421–424, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
We investigated the effect of pumpkin-seed supplementation on oxalcrystalluria and urinary composition in 20 boys age 2-7 yr from a hyperendemic area of Ubol province in Thailand. The experiment had four periods: control (before treatment), oxalate supplementation 5mg · kg−1 body wt · day−1, pumpkin-seed or orthophosphate supplementation 60 mg · kg body wt−1 · day−1, and posttreatment. Causal morning and 24-h urines were collected analyzed for crystalluria, pH, calcium, phosphorous, oxalate, creatinine, sodium, potassium, citrate glycosaminoglycans, and pyrophosphate. The results demonstrated that the longer the supplementation period of pumpkin seeds, the better were the results. Pumpkin seeds lowered calcium-oxalate crystal occurrence and calcium level but increased phosphorus, pyrophosphate, glycosaminoglycans, and potassium values in urine as compared with orthophosphate supplementation. Pumpkin seeds provide high phosphorus levels and can be used as a potential agent in lowering the risk of bladder-stone disease.
A WHO Meeting on the Promotion and Development of Traditional Medicine was held in Geneva from 28 November to 2 December 1977. The aim of the Meeting was to assemble expert representatives of the major systems of traditional medicine to work together and suggest a plan of action to promote and develop the various aspects of traditional medicine. The specific objectives were to make practical suggestions on policy guidelines for the provision of materials and techniques, collaboration among different systems of health care, health education of the public, manpower development, organization of health services, the future development of traditional medicine and its utilization, particularly in the national health services, and relevant research. A major problem for special consideration was the effective collaboration of different practitioners and their integration into an overall national health care delivery system. The Meeting proceeded to discuss its theme under the following headings: Traditional medicine in health care - Reasons for the promotion of traditional medicine - Utilization of traditional medicine in national health care systems - Integration of traditional medicine and modern medicine - Manpower development for traditional medicine - Research promotion and development in traditional medicine - Recommendations.
Background: Plumbum (Pb) is a heavy metal widely existed, which would affect the antioxidative enzymic system of the body, and to decrease the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and thereby to damage liver, kidney and brain, etc. Pumpkin has wide applicable merit in preventing diabetes, against hyperlipemia, preventing cancer and eliminating heavy metal poising, etc. Objective: To investigate the changes of antioxidative enzymic system induced by Pb in mouse as well as the effect of Pumpkin Distillable Subject (PKD) on antioxidation enzymic system. Design: A randomized controlled study. Setting, participants and interventions: Our study was conducted in animal laboratory of the Faculty of Public Health of Harbin Medical University. 60 purebred male healthy Kunming mice were obtained from the Experimental Animal Center of China Pharmaceutical Biological Product Analysis Institute, which were allocated into normal control group (control group), Pb management group (Pb group) and combined management group (PKD group). Mice in control group drank normal water, mice in Pumpkin group drank water that polluted by Pb to establish Plumbism model and then provided with PKD, and mice in Pb group only drank Pb-polluted water without PKD management. All animals were executed after 4 weeks for drawing bloods and taking liver, which would be prepared into homogenate. The activities of SOD, GSH-Px as well as the content of MDA in serum and hepatic homogenate were assayed. Main outcome measures: The activities of SOD, GSH-Px as well as the content of MDA in serum and hepatic homogenate in mice of each group were assayed. Results: The serous and hepatic activities of SOD, GSH-Px in mice of PKD group were significantly higher than that of Pb group (q = 7.83, 6.01, P < 0.01), but the concentrations of MDA were significantly lower that that of Pb group (q = 6.75, 6.51, P < 0.01). The serous and hepatic activities of SOD and GSH-Px in mice of Pb group[(3 746.42 ± 669.30) μkat/L, (702.64 ± 139.36) nkat/g]were significantly lower than that[(6 242.92 ± 940.02) μkat/L, (1 098.05 ± 196.37) nkat/g] of control group (q = 7.90, 5.59, P < 0.01). Conclusion: Plumbism could induce peroxidative injury in mouse. PKD could reduce the lipid peroxidation induced by Pb and increase antioxidative ability in mice.