group. Improvement in glutathione levels in plasma (54%) and liver (54%) along
with significant decreases of catalase activity (58%, 69%), superoxide dismutase
(28%, 34%) and glutathione peroxidase (36%, 37%) were observed as compared to
those of control group. The histological studies revealed that the control and
MS-chol groups showed normal cell architecture viz. less cells and lipid
vacuolization, whereas in CD-chol rats significant morphological changes were
observed.
19.8.7 In Prostate Health
Proposed health benefits of pumpkin seeds on prostate health have been documented
to increase the strength of prostate gland, support hormone function, and improve
muscle contraction in men (Lim 2017). A multicentric clinical trial was conducted
on 2245 patients with stage I and II benign prostate to evaluate the efficacy and
safety of pumpkin seed extract (1–2 capsules per day for 12 weeks) suffering from
benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). The effectiveness of treatment was measured
with the International Prostate Symptom Score given by American Urological
Association (I-PSS), and quality of life questionnaire (LQ Index). The results of
the study showed a drop in I-PSS by 41.4% and improvement in the life quality by
46.1% during therapy. In more than 96% of patients the extract was helpful in
alleviating BPH symptoms without any adverse side effects (Friederich et al. 2000).
A study by Gossell-Williams et al. (2006) has demonstrated that testosteroneinduced prostate hyperplasia (0.3 mg/100 g body weight) can be subdued by the
inclusion of 2.0 or 4.0 mg Cucurbita pepo oil in rats. The study was conducted in
three groups of Sprague-Dawley male rats, wherein Group 1 received testosterone
and pumpkin seed oil (2.0 or 4.0 mg/100 g of body weight) simultaneously for
20 days; Group 2 received testosterone and corn oil for 20 days; and Group
3 received only corn oil for 20 days (weekdays, i.e., Monday to Friday for
4 weeks). The results showed increased protective effects against testosteroneinduced prostate hyperplasia and it was also noticed that the protective effects of
pumpkin seed oil were more prominent at a higher dosage of 4.0 mg/kg (P < 0.02).
19.8.8 In Traditional Medicine
Numerous ethno-pharmacological study data reveals the traditional use of pumpkin
seeds in many countries for treating various diseases. Table 19.8 summarizes the
traditional use of pumpkin seeds in different parts of the world.
490
S. Adsul and V. Madkaikar
with significant decreases of catalase activity (58%, 69%), superoxide dismutase
(28%, 34%) and glutathione peroxidase (36%, 37%) were observed as compared to
those of control group. The histological studies revealed that the control and
MS-chol groups showed normal cell architecture viz. less cells and lipid
vacuolization, whereas in CD-chol rats significant morphological changes were
observed.
19.8.7 In Prostate Health
Proposed health benefits of pumpkin seeds on prostate health have been documented
to increase the strength of prostate gland, support hormone function, and improve
muscle contraction in men (Lim 2017). A multicentric clinical trial was conducted
on 2245 patients with stage I and II benign prostate to evaluate the efficacy and
safety of pumpkin seed extract (1–2 capsules per day for 12 weeks) suffering from
benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). The effectiveness of treatment was measured
with the International Prostate Symptom Score given by American Urological
Association (I-PSS), and quality of life questionnaire (LQ Index). The results of
the study showed a drop in I-PSS by 41.4% and improvement in the life quality by
46.1% during therapy. In more than 96% of patients the extract was helpful in
alleviating BPH symptoms without any adverse side effects (Friederich et al. 2000).
A study by Gossell-Williams et al. (2006) has demonstrated that testosteroneinduced prostate hyperplasia (0.3 mg/100 g body weight) can be subdued by the
inclusion of 2.0 or 4.0 mg Cucurbita pepo oil in rats. The study was conducted in
three groups of Sprague-Dawley male rats, wherein Group 1 received testosterone
and pumpkin seed oil (2.0 or 4.0 mg/100 g of body weight) simultaneously for
20 days; Group 2 received testosterone and corn oil for 20 days; and Group
3 received only corn oil for 20 days (weekdays, i.e., Monday to Friday for
4 weeks). The results showed increased protective effects against testosteroneinduced prostate hyperplasia and it was also noticed that the protective effects of
pumpkin seed oil were more prominent at a higher dosage of 4.0 mg/kg (P < 0.02).
19.8.8 In Traditional Medicine
Numerous ethno-pharmacological study data reveals the traditional use of pumpkin
seeds in many countries for treating various diseases. Table 19.8 summarizes the
traditional use of pumpkin seeds in different parts of the world.
490
S. Adsul and V. Madkaikar