Abstract
In the traditional medicine in North America and Mexico, pumpkin seeds have been used as an anthelmintic agent and for supportive treatment in functional disorders of the bladder. Also anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective activity of pumpkin seeds is discussed. Three different extracts of pumpkin seeds were prepared and effects were investigated in unstimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in cells stimulated with the mitogens phytohaemagglutinin and concanavalin A in vitro. Tryptophan degradation and neopterin concentrations were measured in the supernatants allowing to detect biochemical changes induced by cytokine interferon-γ. Extracts of pumpkin seeds suppressed mitogen-induced neopterin production and tryptophan degradation in a dose-dependent way. Data demonstrate capacity of pumpkin extracts to modulate immunobiochemical pathways induced by interferon- γ. Findings imply an immunoregulatory potential of compounds contained in pumpkin seeds.
Highlights
Cucurbita (C.) pepo, a pumpkin used in medical applications, is an annual plant with yellow flowers
Pumpkin seeds are considered an alternative treatment for stage I and II benign prostatic hyperplasia and for irritable bladder[8]
We investigated the influence of three pumpkin seed preparations on stimulated and unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy donors
Summary
Cucurbita (C.) pepo (variety convar. citrullinina GREB. var. styriaca GREB), a pumpkin used in medical applications, is an annual plant with yellow flowers. Styriaca GREB), a pumpkin used in medical applications, is an annual plant with yellow flowers. Fruits consist of up to 50 % fatty oil, carotenoids, proteins, tocopherols, phytosterols and phytoestrogens as well[1,2,3,4]. Pumpkin seed has been used in traditional medicine in North America and Mexico since long as an antihelmintic agent and for supportive treatment in functional disorders of the bladder and for difficulties in urination[5]. Childhood enuresis nocturna and irritable bladder have been treated successfully with pumpkin seed[6] it has been used to eradicate tapeworm[7]. Pumpkin seeds are considered an alternative treatment for stage I and II benign prostatic hyperplasia and for irritable bladder[8]. Antiinflammatory and cardioprotective effects of Cucurbita may relate to an influence of plant compounds on immunocompetent cells
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