Abstract:
The Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin) seeds are used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia
(BPH). This study examines the effects of pumpkin seeds on dihydrotestosterone
produced from testosterone that induces the hyperplasia of the prostate gland of male
rats. Hyperplasia was induced by a subcutaneous injection of testosterone that was
given in the form of Sutanon 3.568 mg/kg body weight. When the increase in the size of
the prostate was achieved in 30 days, simultaneous oral administration of pumpkin
seeds with rat chow was given at doses of 10% w/w, 20% w/w, 30% w/w, 60% w/w and
30% w/w + Xatral 1 mg/kg body weight. Animals were weighed before dissection and
the influence of testosterone and pumpkin seed on the weight gain of the rats were
observed.
Rats were sacrificed at days 12, 24, and 36. The prostate was removed, and weighed
immediately. Then prostate weight to body weight ratio were calculated. Blood samples
were collected to examine the effects of pumpkin seeds on blood lipid profile and liver
enzymes. Results show that pumpkin seeds affect some of the blood lipid test and have
no significant effect on the amount of sGOT-AST enzyme and ALP, but there is an
increase in the activity of sGPT-AST enzyme for the groups treated with 60% and 30%
Xatral. There is no significant influence on the weight gain of rats treated with
testosterone and pumpkin seeds. Whereas testosterone increases the weight of the
prostate (p < 0.05), pumpkin seeds at 30% w/w inhibit hyperplasia and has no effect on
the blood profile test. This result is confirmed by the histopathological studies that show
that this group has the same appearance of the negative group. There is abundant stoma
between glandular cells. In addition there is lack of papillary projections into the lumen
of the glands. In conclusion, pumpkin seeds at 30% w/w can inhibit prostate hyperplasia
induced by testosterone, and improve the histology of the prostate.
