Pumpkin and Pumpkin Seeds,what is Pumpkin extracts and Pumpkin seeds extracts?Pharmacology and Health benefits of Pumpkin Seeds and Pumpkin Pulp...

Article Content:

Constituents,Phytochemical of Pumpkin seeds.

Pumpkin Extract Cucurbita pepo Vegetable Marrow Cucurbita maxima photo picture image Constituents,Phytochemical of Pumpkin seeds:

Pumpkin seeds contain 30% unsaturated fixed oil (which includes linoleic and oleic fatty acids). The seeds also contain cucurbitacins, vitamins, and Minerals, notably zinc.
Pumpkin Seeds contain iron, B vitamins, and trace minerals.

Pumpkin seed contains amino acids (e.g., cucurbitin); approximately 1% phytosterols in free and bound forms; squalene; chlorophyll pigments (chlorophyll b and pheophytin a); 4% minerals including selenium, zinc, calcium, copper, iron, manganese, phosphorous, and potassium; approximately 30% pectins; approximately 25.1% proteins (Bombardelli and Morazzoni, 1997; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994); approximately 30?0% oil, composed mainly of fatty acids including palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids; tocopherols (b- and g-tocopherol); carotenoids (lutein and b-carotene). Due to a broad genetic diversity, the oil content of pumpkin seed is highly variable depending on the taxon (Bombardelli and Morazzoni, 1997; Murkovic et al., 1996a; Murkovic et al., 1996b).

The Commission E reported that due to the lack of suitable models, there are not enough pharmacological studies to substantiate the empirically found clinical activity.
Pumpkin Extract Cucurbita pepo Vegetable Marrow Cucurbita maxima photo picture image

The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia reported prostatic action (BHP, 1996). The Merck Index reports its therapeutic category as anthelmintic (Budavari, 1996). The constituents tocopherol and selenium may have a protective function towards the oxidative degradation of lipids, vitamins, hormones, and enzymes. Protein fractions of pumpkin seed are thought to function as trypsin inhibitors (Krishnamoorthi et al., 1990; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). A recent review of studies on the therapeutic activity concluded that pumpkin seed inhibits 5a-reductase in vitro. In vivo, it has demonstrated anti-androgenic and anti-inflammatory activity (Bombardelli and Morazzoni, 1997).

Active components list of Pumpkin Seeds:

Amino acids:alanine, arginine,cucurbitin, cystine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, lysine. ( Fruits and seeds)
Acids:linoleic aspartic, oleic and palmitic ( Flowers, fruits and seeds )
Vitamins:Vitamin A and B ( Niacin, Thiamin) ( Flowers, fruits and seeds )
Fats:lecithin (seeds)
Fibers(fruits and seeds)
Minerals:calcium, cobalt, boron, magnesium , zinc, potassium, iron...(fruits)
Sugars: sucrose.
Pumpkin Extract Cucurbita pepo Vegetable Marrow Cucurbita maxima photo picture image

Active constituents Deatails of Pumpkin Seeds:

Pumpkin seeds contain several major groups of active constituents: essential fatty acids, amino acids, phytosterols (e.g. beta-sitosterol) minerals, and vitamins. Other major constituents include mucilaginous carbohydrates and minerals.

Pumpkin seed oil has been used in combination with saw palmetto in two double-blind trials to effectively reduce symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). 4, 5 Only one open label trial evaluated the effectiveness of pumpkin seed oil alone for BPH. 6 Animal studies have shown that pumpkin seed extracts can improve the function of the bladder and urethra. This might partially account for BPH symptom relief.

Curcurbitin is a constituent in pumpkin seeds that has shown anti-parasitic activity in the test tube.Human trials conducted in China have shown pumpkin seeds to be helpful for people with acute schistosomiasis, a severe parasitic disease occurring primarily in Asia and Africa that is transmitted through snails. 9 Preliminary human research conducted in China and Russia has shown pumpkin seeds may also help resolve tapeworm infestations.The assistance of a physician is required to help diagnose and treat any suspected intestinal parasite infections.
Pumpkin Extract Cucurbita pepo Vegetable Marrow Cucurbita maxima photo picture image

Cucurbitin, an unusual amino acid identified chemically as (-)-3-amino-3-carboxypyrrolidine, is the active principle responsible for the anthelmintic (worm-expelling) effects of the drug. It occurs only in the seeds of Cucurbita species, but its concentration is quite variable even in seeds of the same species. This variability probably accounts for reports in the literature that cucurbita seeds are either unreliable or ineffective as a teniafuge. One study showed the concentration of cucurbitin in different samples of C. pepo ranged from 1.66 to 6.63%, in C. maxima from 5.29 to 19.37%, and in C. moschata from 3.98 to 8.44%.
Pumpkin Extract Cucurbita pepo Vegetable Marrow Cucurbita maxima photo picture image

Due to the purported L-tryptophan content of pumpkin seeds, they have been suggested to help remedy depression. 12 However, research is needed before pumpkin seeds can be considered for this purpose.

Two trials in Thailand have reportedly found that eating pumpkin seeds as a snack can help prevent the most common type of kidney stone. 13, 14 Pumpkin seeds appear to both reduce levels of substances that promote stone formation in the urine and increase levels of substances that inhibit stone formation. The active constituents of pumpkin seeds responsible for this action have not been identified.
Pumpkin Extract Cucurbita pepo Vegetable Marrow Cucurbita maxima photo picture image

Pumpkin becomes an increasing significance as a source of a high quality edible oil. Besides the seeds are used as an additive in the food industry. Pumpkin seed has been used in traditional medicine in North America and Mexico since long ago as an anthelmintic and as a bladder disease agent. Its modern clinical uses are comparable to its traditional uses in Northern American aboriginal medicine. Pumpkin seeds are considered an alternative treatment for stage I and II benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and for irritable bladder. C. pepo is an annual plant with yellow flowers, a climbing stem up to 12 m long and a fruit with a round shape and fibrous flesh. For medical purposes the seeds of the variety convar. citrullinina GREB. var. styriaca GREB are mainly used. They consist of up to 50 % fatty oil, carotinoids, proteins, tocopherols, phytosterols and phytoestrogens as well. How pumpkin seeds may work in BPH is not currently kown. The hypothesis of phytosterols as active compounds is not supported by studies carried out scientifically. Recently lignans belonging to the group of phytoestrogens have been discovered in pumpkin seeds. Depending on dosage they have estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects. Further investigations have to been made to prove activity of lignans preventing hyperproliferation of prostatic cells and improving irritable bladder symptoms.