The Therapeutic Effects of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) Seed Oil for Management of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia Condition in Dogs

Authors: Mohamed H , Salama A , El-Shahat KH* , Eissa H and Fadel M

DOI: 10.23880/izab-16000650

Volume 8, Issue 1

Abstract

Background: The oil from the pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) seed is claimed to be useful in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. This investigation seeks to examine the effect of pumpkin seed oil on testosterone-induced hyperplasia of the prostate in a dog model. Materials and methods: A total of 6 sexually mature male stray dogs (age: 2-4 years old; weight: 20-25 kg) were housed at the Animal Reproduction Research Institute. Animals were subdivided into 2 equal groups; Control group: continued to receive the same diet without treatment until the end of the study, BPH group: received Testosterone (75mg/dog) (Testonon®250: 0.3 ml/dog) and Estradiol Benzoate (0.75mg/dog) (Folon®: 0.2 ml /dog) via intramuscular injection on days 0, 21, 42, and 63 of the induction periods. The testosterone doses were doubled on days 21, 42, and 63. The same animals (n=3) were taken as Pumpkin treated group: this was a PBH group treated with the Pumpkin seed extract at the dose of 600 mg pumpkin seed oil for 30 days. Blood sampling was performed from the cephalic vein into plain glass tubes on days 0, and 63 before the injection of hormones during induction and after treatment. Results: Length, depth, height, and volume were significantly higher in the BPH disease group compared to the control group. Moreover, all these physical characteristics were decreased significantly in the Pumpkin treated group. PSA showed a statistically significant increase in the BPH-diseased group (.055±.005 mg/ml) compared to the control group and decreased significantly in the pumpkin-treated group (.024±.001 mg/ml) with no significant change in the testosterone level. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that pumpkin seed oil extract effectively mitigates the growth and hyperplasia associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia as evidenced by substantial reductions in prostate length, depth, height, and volume, along with decreased PSA levels.

Keywords: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia; Pumpkin, PSA, Ultrasound; Dogs

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