Hypotriglyceridemic and hepatoprotective effect of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) seed flour in an experimental model of dyslipidemia

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of pumpkin ( Cucurbita moschata ) seed flour on the lipid profile and biomarkers of liver function in an experimental dyslipidemia. The hamsters were divided into three groups: normal control group (n = 8) fed commercial feed; dyslipidemia control group (n = 8) with dyslipidemia induced by consumption of feed enriched with saturated fat and cholesterol (dyslipidemic diet with 13.5% coconut fat and 0.1% cholesterol); pumpkin seed group (n = 10), maintained on a dyslipidemic diet plus pumpkin seed flour. After 28 days of treatment, the treatment with a diet enriched with pumpkin seeds significantly reduced the serum triglycerides, increased the faecal excretion of cholesterol, and reduced the accumulation of lipids in the hepatocytes, thus decreasing the degree of hepatic steatosis. In the experimental model used in this study, pumpkin seed flour had a hypotriglyceridemic property and a hepatoprotective effect in relation to hepatic steatosis. • Feeding enriched with pumpkin seeds reduced the serum triglycerides level. • Creole pumpkin seed flour increased the excretion of cholesterol in the faeces. • Pumpkin seeds reduced the degree of hepatic steatosis.