Pumpkin Seeds (Cucurbita spp.) as a Nutraceutical Used In Various Lifestyle Disorders

Abstract

Background: The pumpkin, a very well-edible plant that is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, has long been utilised as a functional food and an herbal remedy. Pumpkins include a wealth of phytoestrogens, unsaturated fatty acids, and vitamin E in their seeds that may have medicinal, nutritional, and cosmetic benefits. In recent years, knowledge of the nutritional benefits and medicinal uses of pumpkin seeds has grown significantly. An abundant source of nutrients and a well-known multipurpose food, pumpkin has recently given scientists fresh insights. Primary and secondary metabolites, such as carbohydrates, proteins, monounsaturated fatty acids, poly saturated fatty acids, carotenoids, tocopherols, tryptophan, delta-7-sterols, & numerous other phytochemicals, are abundant in the pumpkin fruit, including the meat, seed, and peel. Objective: In this review, the nutraceutical importance of pumpkin's seed anti-diabetic, hypoglycemic, cardiovascular preventive and anti-cancer effects are explored along with the nutraceutical effects of anti-depressants, anti-helminthic and anti-oxidants effects are involved. Methods: A comprehensive analysis of the literature search was conducted. A number of databases have been searched using the common terms "pumpkin,", "pumpkin seeds", "cucurbita,", "functional food", "phenolic compounds", "minerals,", and "phytochemicals" using PubMed and Google Scholar as search engines. The content was based on information from publications like Bentham Science, Elsevier, Taylor & Francis, Nature, Plos One, etc. We have focused on the review and research papers published between 2000 and 2023. Result: Meanwhile, some research gaps on the biological activities of pumpkin seeds and their potential as a functional food element have been discovered in the current literature. The pharmacokinetics of Pumpkin seeds bioactives and the characterization and identification of functional molecules have received very little attention in the literature. It is necessary to conduct more studies to connect the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of Pumpkin seeds. Conclusion: The therapeutic benefits of pumpkin seeds & the potential disease-preventing mechanisms are updated in this review article, also on the chemical make-up, nutritional value, phytochemical research, pharmacological characteristics, bioavailability, food use, & industrial applications of pumpkin.