Chemical composition of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seeds and its supplemental effect on Indian women with metabolic syndrome
Jane Monica S, John S, Madhanagopal R, Sivaraj C, Khusro A, Arumugam P, Gajdács M, Esther Lydia D, Umar Khayam Sahibzada M, Alghamdi S, Almehmadi M, Emran TB · Arabian Journal of Chemistry · 2022 August
DOI 10.1016/j.arabjc.2022.103985
Objective
To investigate the effect of pumpkin seed supplementation on anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters, and blood pressure in Indian women with metabolic syndrome.
Conclusions
The study concludes that pumpkin seeds can be a cost-effective adjunct in treating metabolic syndrome.
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Insights
Pumpkin seed supplementation can significantly reduce fasting blood glucose levels in Indian women suffering from metabolic syndrome.
The researchers initially assessed the antioxidant activities of pumpkin seed extract using standard in vitro methods. There was also an investigation into the antidiabetic effects of the seed extract by conducting alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, and dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibition effects tests as well as a glucose uptake assay using 3T3-L1 cell lines. Identification of fatty acids and various plant compounds in the seed extract was accomplished with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Indian women aged between 30-50 years who had metabolic syndrome were then recruited, divided into two groups: intervention and control. The women in the intervention group received 5g of pumpkin seeds for 60 days while both groups followed certain dietary guidelines throughout the study period.
The results demonstrate that the pumpkin seeds had sharp reducing power and acted as scavengers of DPPH and ABTS free radicals. They also inhibited certain enzymes and notably, improved glucose uptake by a significant percentage. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry further identified the presence of certain compounds within the seed extract. Comparing the changes between the intervention and control groups showed a significant reduction of fasting plasma glucose in the intervention group after 60-day supplementation with pumpkin seeds, thus suggesting its beneficial effect on metabolic syndrome.
Related insights
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- Pumpkin seeds and their extracts, including Trigonelline, Nicotinic acid, and D-chiro-inositol, offer potential for controlling blood sugar levels in diabetes patients.
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- Certain natural mineral waters, when combined with a low-calorie diet, effectively reduce cholesterol and glucose levels in mice with metabolic syndrome.
- Moderate coffee consumption may potentially reduce the risk of low HDL-C and high fasting blood glucose amongst Korean male adults.
