Pepo Fruit Research Articles

Assessment of In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) Natural Plant

Objectives The objective of this research was to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory properties of the Cucurbita pepo fruit. Given the adverse effects associated with long-term use or excessive doses of conventional anti-inflammatory medications, exploring herbal therapies as alternatives has become increasingly important. Methods Various preliminary tests and antioxidant assays, both enzymatic and non-enzymatic, were conducted on the C . pepo fruit. Bioactive substances present in the fruit, including alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, tannins, amino acids, triterpenoids, and saponin glycosides, were identified through early analysis. Different extraction solvents, such as chloroform, methanol, and water, were utilized to extract samples. The methanolic extract was subjected to further testing for its in vitro anti-inflammatory characteristics. This involved evaluating their ability to stabilize RBC membranes, inhibit protein denaturation, and suppress proteinase activity using two concentrations (150 µg/ml and 300 µg/ml) of the extract. Results The methanolic extract of the C. pepo fruit exhibited strong free radical scavenging activity in both DPPH and H2O2 assays. Moreover, it demonstrated the dose-dependent stabilization of RBC membranes, resulting in reduced hemolysis, protein denaturation, and proteinase activity. These findings suggest potent anti-inflammatory effects of the methanolic extract. Conclusion This research study has found that the C. pepo fruit methanolic extract significantly reduced inflammation. This demonstrates the promise of natural chemicals as less risky substitutes for traditional anti-inflammatory medications. Potentially safe and efficient treatments for inflammatory illnesses could be found in herbal remedies such as the C. pepo fruit. Therefore, this study highlights the significance of exploring herbal remedies as a potential treatment option for inflammation-related diseases.

Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) Fruit Extract Attenuates Paraquat-induced Toxicity in Wister Rats

Introduction: Paraquat is a bipyridil herbicide commonly used in modern agriculture for weed and pest control. Paraquat poisoning usually occurs through direct ingestion for suicidal intent, causing mortality as a consequence to oxidative damage, inflammation and multi-organ failure.
 Objectives: In this study, we investigated the ameliorative potential of Cucurbita pepo fruit on paraqaut-induced oxidative damage, inflammation, hyperlipidemia, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rats.
 Methods: Rats were orally administered paraquat (2 mg/kg b.w) with or without the fruit extract (500 mg/kg b.w) or resveratrol (3.57 mg/kg b.w) co-administration for 2 weeks.
 Results: We found C. pepo fruit extract significantly restored paraquat-induced oxidative damage, acute inflammation and hyperlipidemia. Reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration was significantly abridged in paraquat treated group, while the concentration of GSH increases substantially across groups administered fruit extract and resveratrol. Furthermore, paraquat induced concomitant reduction in the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), which was restored by the fruit extract and resveratrol. However, nitric oxide level demonstrated a substantial elevation in paraquat-treated group, but restored by both the fruit extract and resveratrol. Moreover, pumpkin fruit extract and resveratrol supplementation suppressed overproduction of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoproteins, high density lipoproteins and thus, alleviated paraquat-induced hyperlipidemia. In addition, administration of C. pepo fruit extract and resveratrol ameliorated the hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effect caused by paraquat.
 Conclusion: We conclude that C. pepo fruit extract and resveratrol administration ameliorated oxidative damage, acute inflammation, hyperlipidemia, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity caused by paraquat ingestion.

First Report of Fusarium petroliphilum Causing Fruit Rot of Spaghetti Squash in California.

Spaghetti squash (Cucurbita pepo L. subsp. pepo) is a yellow-skinned squash that forms translucent spaghetti-like strands when cooked. California leads the nation in total squash production, the majority of which is grown in the San Joaquin Valley. In October of 2019, severe fruit rot of C. pepo L. subsp. Pepo (C. pepo) was observed in fruit harvested from seven cultivated fields in San Joaquin County, California. Infected fields incurred up to 30% postharvest losses. At harvest, fruit appeared healthy. After ten days in a shaded storage shed, scattered buff to tan ringed lesions extending into the flesh of infected fruits were observed. Lesions had visible sporodochia at the center that were variable in size and continued to expand in storage. Tissue (∼1 mm3) from the lesion margins of symptomatic fruit (n=8) was surface sterilized in 75 % ethanol for 1 min then 0.6% sodium hypochlorite for a minute, and aseptically transferred to half strength acidified potato dextrose agar (0.5 APDA) and incubated at 22-25 °C. Fungal colonies which grew from the pieces were light yellow, with mycelium that was flat and mucoid. Sporodochial conidia were falcate and robust with 3 to 5 septa and measured from 44.2 to 51.6 × 4.6 to 5.9 μm (average 46.3 × 5.2 μm). Aerial conidia were profuse, borne on short monophialides, ovoid to reniform, and measured 5.1 to 12.6 μm × 3.2 to 5.6 μm (average 4.2 × 6.1 μm). DNA extracted from two isolates, was amplified with primers ITS1/ITS4, and EF1-728F/EF1-986R using PCR, to obtain sequences from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) (White 1990), and elongation factor 1α (EF1α) (Carbone et al. 1999) genetic regions. Sequences from both isolates were identical. Sequences from isolate MVAP50001827, GenBank nos. MZ081401 (ITS) and MZ102267 (EF-1α) matched 100% to sequences of representative isolates of Fusarium petroliphilum (Q.T. Chen & X.H. Fu; Short et al., 2013, MB 802539) from Cucurbita species, MF535516 (ITS) and MF580776 (EF-1α) respectively (González, V. et al. 2018). To fulfill Koch's postulates, conidia were harvested from a culture of isolate MVAP50001827 and grown for 7 days on 0.5 APDA at room temperature (22-25 °C). A 3-cc syringe with a 25-gauge needle was used to wound and inject 200 μl of 1 × 106 conidia ml-1 into three equally spaced points 1 mm deep into the rind of C. pepo fruit (n=4). C. pepo fruit (n=4) serving as negative controls were treated similarly with 200 μl of sterile deionized water. Fruit was incubated in a growth chamber at 27 °C under 12-h diurnal cycle lighting conditions. Ten days post inoculation, lesions densely covered with white sporodochia had expanded to 7 cm diameter and 5 cm deep on average (average fruit size 31×11 cm). Twenty days post inoculation, severe fruit rot was observed. F. petroliphilum did not grow from the controls, and was successfully reisolated from the symptomatic inoculated fruits, completing Koch's postulates. Seeds inside the inoculated fruits were completely colonized and covered in conidia. Twenty-five seeds from the source seed lot was tested for F. petroliphilum by surface sterilizing and plating onto 0.5 APDA. No F. petroliphilum grew from tested seed. Postharvest fungal diseases can affect profitability of winter squash, which is often held in storage, and sold when market prices are optimal. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Fusarium petroliphilum infecting spaghetti squash (Cucurbita pepo L. subsp. pepo) in California.

Therapeutic Effect of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) on Post Burn Injury in White Mice

This investigation aims to shed light on the healing capability of Pimpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) fruit on burn wounds, to do so thirty albino mice were separated into 3 groups: group one treated with cold extract, group two treated with hot extract and group three treated with ointment as control. Each group involved 10 mice, all animals were burned in femur by using solid aluminum bar, and the burned area was (8-10) mm in diameter with second degree burn. Hours after burning process, all animals treated with treatment as mention above (Twice/day) and during treatment; animals were sacrificed and histological study was performed. Result displayed that burn remedial was better among all animals treated with cold C. pepo extract comparing with burn-wound animals treated with hot C. pepo extract and ointment, by forming a thin epidermal layer. These result indicated the positive effect of pumpkin on wound healing. In conclusion it is the first time the therapeutic indication of the healing capability of cold C. pepo extract on burn wound, this open the door for clinical application of C. pepo fruit.

Quantification of the Antioxidants and Assessment of the Antioxidant Activity of Two Cucurbita Species Harvested in Bejaia (Algeria)

Background: The cucurbit fruits are usually used around the world and are seasonal products traditionally used in human food. They are considered as a source of antioxidants which protect human body from several diseases. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant contents (total phenolics, flavanoids, flavanols, condensed tannins, carotenoids, and vitamin C) and the antioxidant activity of the fruits of Cucurbita pepo and Cucurbita moschata harvested in Bejaia from Algeria. Methods: The quantification of the antioxidants was performed using spectrophotometric methods. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined using the DPPH• and the ABTS•+ radical scavengers effect. Beforehand, the optimization of the solvent extraction of total phenolics was investigated using 7 different solvents: water, acetone and ethanol at 90, 60 and 30% (v/v). Results: The results showed that the acetone 90% (v/v) was the solvent which gave the extract with the better content of total phenolics (42.44 ± 0.41 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent/100 g FW). The concentrations of total phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols, carotenoids and vitamin C were higher in C. pepo than C. moschata. The higher antioxidant activity of the acetone extract was showed by C. moschata fruit (38.66 ± 1.39%) for DPPH• radical, while C. pepo fruit developed the higher antioxidant activity for ABTS•+ radical (46.89±1.05%). Conclusion: The richness of Cucurbita species in antioxidants allows them to be used in different industries including agri-food to protect from oxidation.

The MADS-Box Gene CsSHP Participates in Fruit Maturation and Floral Organ Development in Cucumber.

Cucumber is an important vegetable crop bearing fleshy pepo fruit harvested immature. Fruits left unpicked in time during summer production, as well as unfavorable environmental conditions during post-harvest shelf, will cause cucumber fruits to turn yellow and ripen, and thus impair the market value. Identification of maturity-related genes is of great agricultural and economic importance for cucumber production. Here, we isolated and characterized a MADS-box gene, Cucumis sativus SHATTERPROOF (CsSHP) in cucumber. Expression analysis indicated that CsSHP was specifically enriched in reproductive organs including stamens and carpels. Ectopic expression of CsSHP was unable to rescue the indehiscence silique phenotype of shp1 shp2 mutant plant in Arabidopsis. Instead, overexpression of CsSHP resulted in early flowering, precocious phenotypes, and capelloid organs in wild-type Arabidopsis. Biochemical analysis indicated that CsSHP directly interacted with cucumber SEPALLATA (SEP) proteins. CsSHP expression increased significantly during the yellowing stage of cucumber ripening, and was induced by exogenous application of abscisic acid (ABA). Therefore, CsSHP may participate in fruit maturation through the ABA pathway and floral organ specification via interaction with CsSEPs to form protein complex in cucumber.

Transcriptomic changes in Cucurbita pepo fruit after cold storage: differential response between two cultivars contrasting in chilling sensitivity

BackgroundZucchini fruit is susceptible to chilling injury (CI), but the response to low storage temperature is cultivar dependent. Previous reports about the response of zucchini fruit to chilling storage have been focused on the physiology and biochemistry of this process, with little information about the molecular mechanisms underlying it. In this work, we present a comprehensive analysis of transcriptomic changes that take place after cold storage in zucchini fruit of two commercial cultivars with contrasting response to chilling stress.ResultsRNA-Seq analysis was conducted in exocarp of fruit at harvest and after 14 days of storage at 4 and 20 °C. Differential expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained comparing fruit stored at 4 °C with their control at 20 °C, and then specific and common up and down-regulated DEGs of each cultivar were identified. Functional analysis of these DEGs identified similarities between the response of zucchini fruit to low temperature and other stresses, with an important number of GO terms related to biotic and abiotic stresses overrepresented in both cultivars. This study also revealed several molecular mechanisms that could be related to chilling tolerance, since they were up-regulated in cv. Natura (CI tolerant) or down-regulated in cv. Sinatra (CI sensitive). These mechanisms were mainly those related to carbohydrate and energy metabolism, transcription, signal transduction, and protein transport and degradation. Among DEGs belonging to these pathways, we selected candidate genes that could regulate or promote chilling tolerance in zucchini fruit including the transcription factors MYB76-like, ZAT10-like, DELLA protein GAIP, and AP2/ERF domain-containing protein.ConclusionsThis study provides a broader understanding of the important mechanisms and processes related to coping with low temperature stress in zucchini fruit and allowed the identification of some candidate genes that may be involved in the acquisition of chilling tolerance in this crop. These genes will be the basis of future studies aimed to identify markers involved in cold tolerance and aid in zucchini breeding programs.

Bioaccumulation, uptake, and toxicity of carbamazepine in soil-plant systems.

Since the detection of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in various environmental media, research has explored the potential uptake and toxicity of these chemicals to species inhabiting these matrices. Specifically, pharmaceuticals, including the antiepileptic API carbamazepine (CBZ), are taken up from soil by a range of plants. Many short-term studies have also suggested that certain APIs induce toxicity in plants. However, the effects of APIs on fruiting plants remain relatively unexplored. The present study investigated the uptake, bioaccumulation, and toxicity of CBZ in Cucurbita pepo (zucchini) from seed to full maturity across a range of CBZ exposure concentrations in soil (0.1-20 mg/kg). Results of biomass, chlorophyll, starch and total nitrogen (N) concentration in C. pepo indicated toxicity at soil concentrations of ≥10 mg/kg. There were clear visual indications of increasing toxicity on leaves, including chlorosis and necrosis, from soil concentrations of 1 up to 20 mg/kg. The present study also revealed novel insights into the effect of CBZ accumulation on C. pepo fruiting: female C. pepo flowers were unable to set fruit when leaf concentrations were ≥14 mg/kg. These findings may have implications for future agricultural productivity in areas where reclaimed wastewater containing APIs is a source of irrigation. Detectable CBZ concentrations were found in edible C. pepo fruit, indicating the possibility of trophic transfer. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1122-1130. © 2017 SETAC.

Impact of radiation processing on the stability of cucurbitacin glycosides in ready-to-cook (RTC) pumpkin during storage

Effect of gamma irradiation on the stability of cucurbitacins, in pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo), during storage was investigated. At the optimum dose of 1 kGy, earlier demonstrated by us to extend the shelf life of ready-to-cook (RTC) pumpkin, no effect on the content of major cucurbitacins identified namely cucurbitacin C and E glycosides was noted. During storage up to 21 day a reduction of 96–97% in the glycoside content was observed in non-irradiated and irradiated pumpkin thereby demonstrating a high stability of cucurbitacins during radiation processing. The decreased cucurbitacin glycoside content during storage also had no impact on the sensory quality of the vegetable. The presence of cucurbitacin C and E glycosides in Cucurbita pepo fruit is reported here for the first time.

Mineral composition and potential nutritional contribution of 34 genotypes from different summer squash morphotypes

Mineral concentrations were determined in fruit of 34 traditional and improved genotypes of Cucurbita pepo. Genotypes belong to two subspecies, the subsp. pepo (classified into zucchini, vegetable marrow and pumpkin morphotypes) and subsp. ovifera (with three varieties: texana, ozarkana and clypeata). Phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, zinc and sodium were analyzed, and two distinct patterns of mineral accumulation were found to be evident by cluster analysis. Genotypes in group 1 (zucchini and pumpkin) showed the highest concentrations of total minerals (24,338–62,136 mg kg−1 dry weight) as compared to the genotypes in group 2 (vegetable marrow, var. clypeata, var. texana and var. ozarkana). Some genotypes with significant concentrations for different minerals were identified, with the genotype Cu-2 (traditional zucchini) showing the highest concentrations for K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Na (4,615, 315, 300, 4.8, 3.03, 3.83 and 9.4 mg kg−1 dry weight, respectively). The zucchini morphotype was superior to other morphotypes studied in terms of contribution to the recommended dietary allowance of mineral content for both men and women. The mineral content of C. pepo fruit reported provides a valuable material for breeding programs to generate lines with a significant long-term beneficial impact on human health.

Ascorbic acid conjugates isolated from the phloem of Cucurbitaceae

Analysis of phloem exudates from the fruit of Cucurbitaceae revealed the presence of several compounds with UV–visible absorption spectra identical to that of l-ascorbic acid. In Cucurbita pepo L. (zucchini), the compounds could be isolated from phloem exudates collected from aerial parts of the plant but were not detected in whole tissue homogenates. The compounds isolated from the phloem exudates of C. pepo fruit were eluted from strong anion exchange resin in the same fraction as l-ascorbic acid and were oxidised by ascorbate oxidase (E.C. 1.10.3.3). The major compound purified from C. pepo fruit exudates demonstrated similar redox properties to l-ascorbic acid and synthetic 6- O-glucosyl- l-ascorbic acid (6-GlcAsA) but differed from those of 2- O-glucosyl- l-ascorbic acid (2-GlcAsA) isolated from the fruit of Lycium barbarum L. Parent and fragment ion masses of the compound were consistent with hexosyl-ascorbate in which the hexose moiety was attached to C5 or C6 of AsA. Acid hydrolysis of the major C. pepo compound resulted in the formation of l-ascorbic acid and glucose. The purified compound yielded a proton NMR spectrum that was almost identical to that of synthetic 6-GlcAsA. A series of l-ascorbic acid conjugates have, therefore, been identified in the phloem of Cucurbitaceae and the most abundant conjugate has been identified as 6-GlcAsA. The potential role of such conjugates in the long-distance transport of l-ascorbic acid is discussed.

Effect of Cold and Boiled Aqueous Extracts of Cucurbita pepo Fruit on Blood Glucose and Cholesterol in Chickens

Effect of Cold and Boiled Aqueous Extracts of Cucurbita pepo Fruit on Blood Glucose and Cholesterol in Chickens

A lectin from the exudate of the fruit of the vegetable marrow (Cucurbita pepo) that has a specificity for beta-1,4-linked N-acetylglucosamine oligosaccharides.

Lectins are present in the exudate (presumably from the phloem) of the fruits of three species of the Cucurbitaceae, namely vegetable marrow (Cucurbita pepo), melon (Cucumis melo) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus). They are all strongly inhibited in their activities by chitin oligosaccharides, but only weakly by N-acetylglucosamine. Glycopeptides from soya-bean agglutinin and fetuin are also strong inhibitors of Cucurbita pepo lectin, indicating that it interacts with internal N-acetylglucosamine residues. The lectin from Cucurbita pepo fruit was purified by affinity chromatography by using chitin oligosaccharides covalently attached to Sepharose. The lectin is not a glycoprotein, and it consists of a single polypeptide chain of about 20,000 mol.wt. It is a major protein (18% of the total) of the phloem exudate and it is postulated that it may have an anti-parasitic function.