Supplementation with extract of pumpkin seeds exerts estrogenic effects upon the uterine, serum lipids, mammary glands, and bone density in ovariectomized rats

Abstract

Pumpkin seeds contain lignan phytoestrogens, which have the potential to retrieve menopausal syndromes caused by estrogen deficiency. This study aims to determine the estrogenic effects of the extract of pumpkin seeds (EPS). In vitro experiment was performed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on CHO-K1 cells. In vivo experiments were conducted using 24 of 7-weeks-old female Sprague Dawley rats, divided into four treatment groups (ovariectomized [OVX], ovariectomized for treatment with 2-μM 17β-estradiol, ovariectomized for treatment with 500 mg/kg BW EPS, and ovariectomized for treatment with 1000 mg/kg body weight (BW) EPS) and two baseline groups (OVX and sham). Uterine weight, mammary glands, serum lipid, and bone density were observed after 30 days. In silico experiment was conducted through molecular docking of secoisolariciresinol and lariciresinol to the estrogen receptors (ERs). EPS exhibited a biphasic effect, inducing cell growth at 10-100 μg/mL and decreasing cell viability at 250-1000 μg/mL. EPS 1000 mg/kg BW improved uterine weight and retrieved mammary glands comparable with 17β-estradiol. Meanwhile, EPS 500 and 1000 mg/kg BW increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL), decreased low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and recovered bone density in correlation with the decreasing osteoclasts and increasing osteoblasts. The docking score of secoisolariciresinol with ERα and ERβ were −91.13 and −95.87, respectively, and lariciresinol were −80.91 and −90.29, respectively. These results demonstrated that EPS performs estrogenic properties in rats model and potential to overcome symptoms caused by estrogen deficiency. KEYWORDS estrogenic properties, estrogen receptors, ovariectomized rat, pumpkin seeds

Effects of Hydro-alcoholic Extract of Pumpkin Seeds on Oogenesis Pathway, Liver, and Kidney of Female Rats : The Effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of pumpkin

“…Bezoars are foreign bodies or undigested masses of material that accumulate in the digestive tract. Nevertheless, based on previous research, pumpkin seed extract has had no adverse effects on the liver and kidney so far (32,33). In this study, there was a significant increase in the body weight in all of the immature experimental groups due to the nutrient composition of pumpkin seed extract as it fulfilled the nutritional requirements of the rats at the onset of their sexual maturation when their body underwent potential changes.…”

Evaluation of Antioxidant Effects of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) Seed Extract on Aging- and Menopause-Related Diseases Using Saos-2 Cells and Ovariectomized Rats

“…of pumpkin seed extract over six days (Monday to Saturday). The oral gavage dose of pumpkin seed extract used in this study was based on that described in a previous study and which was established to have beneficial estrogenic effects [15].…”

“…Phytoestrogens form a large group of heterocyclic phenols that have functions and structures similar to those of 17β-estradiol and synthetic estrogens [14]. The seeds also contain lignan phytoestrogens (256 mg/100 g), such as secoisolariciresinol and lariciresinol, and several types of antioxidants, including tocopherols (16 mg/100 g), and are a rich source of fatty acids, such as linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids (Figure 1) [12,15]. These phytoestrogens and tocopherols exhibit antioxidant properties, whereas the essential fatty acids may potentially have beneficial effects with respect to menopausal syndromes caused by estrogens deficiency and in protecting against cardiovascular diseases [16][17][18].…”

The potential of pumpkin seed oil as a functional food—A comprehensive review of chemical composition, health benefits, and safety

“…Pumpkin seeds also contain isolariciresinol and secoisolariciresinol, lignans known as phytoestrogens due to their potential to prevent diseases caused by estrogen deficiency (Lestari et al., 2019; Sicilia et al., 2003). However, their content in the oil is lower compared to the seeds, probably due to degradation during seed roasting (Andjelkovic et al., 2010; Pușcaș et al., 2020).…”