Effect of Solvents Fractions of Cucurbita maxima Cuticular Lipids on Metabolic Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Disease

This study was aimed at studying the effect of solvents (n-hexane, chloroform and methanol) fractions of Cucurbita maxima (pumpkin) cuticular lipids on metabolic biomarkers of cardiovascular disease using L-NAME induced hypertensive rats. A total of thirty-six (120-150 g) albino rats were randomly selected and placed into twelve groups of three rats each were used for this study. Each rat was weighed and tagged and thereafter weighed weekly for five weeks of the experiment. Rats were induced with hypertension using 40mg/Kg body weight/24hours. Other rats were placed on normal feeds and water while biomarkers were assayed and recorded on weekly basis. Group I served as normal control, Group II were hypertensive control, Group III were induced with hypertension and administered with standard drug while Groups IV-XII were induced with hypertension and administered with varying doses of n-hexane, chloroform and methanol fractions. A slight alteration on metabolic biomarkers between the normal control group and hypertensive control group was recorded, which was reversed by the administration of methanol fraction. Thus, cuticular lipids from Cucurbita maxima might have some anti-hypertensive potentials.

Pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita maxima): a review of functional attributes and by-products / Semillas de calabaza (Cucurbita máxima): una revisión de sus propiedades funcionales y sub-productos

ABSTRACT The need to obtain nutritious foods from new sources and lower waste in industry has created a high interest in studying different parts of plants or foods that today are considered waste, but could be considered by-products with high nutritional value with potential use in human diets. Pumpkin seeds are commonly considered as waste but they have a high content of fatty and amino acids, which when used as a by-product or ingredient can add value to food products. The aim of this work was to perform a wide review of the nutritional and functional properties of Cucurbita maxima seeds and their potential medicinal influence.

RESUMEN La necesidad de obtener alimentos nutritivos de nuevas fuentes y menores desperdicios en la industria ha generado un gran interés en el estudio de diferentes partes de plantas o alimentos que hoy en día se consideran desechos, pero que podrían considerarse subproductos con alto valor nutricional y uso potencial en alimentación humana. Las semillas de calabaza se consideran comúnmente como desechos, pero tienen un alto e importante contenido de ácidos grasos y aminoácidos, que cuando se utilizan como subproducto o ingrediente pueden aportar un alto valor agregado a los productos alimenticios. El objetivo de este trabajo es realizar una amplia revisión de las propiedades nutricionales y funcionales de las semillas de Cucurbita maxima y su potencial influencia medicinal asociada a ellas.

Physiological changes in seeds and seedlings of pumpkins submitted to salt stress / Alterações fisiológicas em sementes e mudas de abóboras submetidas a estresse salino

Salinity is one of the most limiting environmental factors for plant growth in semi-arid regions.Excessofsalts reduces water potential, causes physiological drought and can influence germination and initial growth of plants. The objective of this work was to study physiological and metabolic changes in seeds and seedlings of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo cultivars Caserta and Redonda and C. maxima cv. Coroa)in a saline condition of salt stress. Thus, we it was quantified germination parameters; seedlings growth; seeds and seedlings respiration; degradation of total soluble sugars, reducing sugars and total proteins in cotyledons and the activity ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) during germination and initial growth of the pumpkin species studied in saline conditions. The experimental design was totally randomized in a factorial scheme 6x3, with six electrical conductivities (0; 2; 4; 6; 8 e 10 dS.m-1) and three cultivars (Redonda, Caserta and Coroa). Salinity did not influence the rate of seed respiration during the germination, although seedlings respiration decreased, as well as its vigour. Total sugars were degraded, while there was accumulation of reducing sugars and proteins in cotyledons of germinating seeds in salt solutions. Increased electrical conductivity reduced APX activity in the embryo and CAT in cotyledons, but did not influence GST. Pumpkin seedlings showed low tolerance to salt stress.

A salinidade é um dos fatores limitantes para o crescimento das culturas nas regiões áridas e semiáridas. O excesso de sais provoca uma redução no potencial hídrico e causa seca fisiológica e influencia na germinação e crescimento inicial de plântulas Objetivou-se estudar possíveis alterações fisiológicas e metabólicas em sementes e plântulas de abóboras (Cucurbita pepo cultivars Caserta and Redonda and C. maxima cv. Coroa), Sendo assim, avaliou-se em sementes e plântulas os parâmetros da germinação (porcentagem e velocidade); crescimento de plântulas; respiração de sementes e plântulas; degradação de açúcar solúveis totais, açúcar redutores e proteínas totais nos cotilédones e atividade das enzimas ascorbato peroxidase (APX), glutationa-S-transferase (GST) e catalase (CAT) durante a germinação e crescimento inicial das cultivares de abóbora em soluções salinas. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 6x3, com seis condutividades elétricas (0; 2; 4; 6; 8 e 10 dS.m-1) e três cultivares (Redonda, Caserta e Coroa). A salinidade não influenciou a taxa de respiração das sementes durante a germinação, no entanto, a respiração das plântulas diminuiu, assim como o vigor das plântulas. Houve degradação dos açúcares totais e acúmulo de açúcares redutores e proteínas em cotilédones de sementes submetidas a soluções salinas. O aumento da condutividade elétrica induziu redução da atividade de APX no embrião e de CAT nos cotilédones, mas não influenciou GST. Cultivares de aboboras apresentaram baixa tolerância ao estresse salino.

Ameliorative Activity of Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) Fruit and Seeds Powders on Diabetic, Oxidative and Pancreatic Status in Rats

Background:Diabetes mellitus is the one of the most common endocrine diseases that is characterized by hyperglycemia, altered metabolism with an increased risk of much complications. Besides drugs classicallyused for the treatment of diabetes several species of plants have been described as having a hypoglycemic activity with decreased side effects. Aim of the Work:This work aimed to investigate the possible anti-diabetic effect of oral administration of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) fruit flesh and seeds powders on Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats via studying blood glucose levels, oxidative biomarkers as well as islets of Langerhans structure changes.Materials and Methods:60 adult albino rats of Sprague-Dawely strains (200±5 gm) were classified into five groups of ten animals each except diabetic control group was composed of twenty rats as follow Group I:healthy control;Group II:diabetic control ,Group III,IVandV: diabetic rats received 2g pumpkin fruit, seeds, fruit and seeds mixture powders respectively /kg body weight daily by oral intubation Results:The results of present study showed that pumpkin powders caused significant improvements (P≤0.05) in blood glucose, insulin levels and glycated hemoglobin percent compared to diabetic control group. Also pumpkin powders improved antioxidants activities andhealed Langerhans islets by increasing their number and size in comparison with diabetic control group. Conclusion:The present study showed that pumpkin powders may normalize the various biochemical and pancreatic tissues abnormalities resulted due to diabetes metabolic disorders and it is a source of potent anti-diabetic agent. The diabetic rats that were administered with the pumpkin fruit powder, exhibited the highest improvements.

Characterization and Pathogenicity of Alternaria burnsii from Seeds of Cucurbita maxima (Cucurbitaceae) in Bangladesh

In the course of survey of endophytic fungi from Bangladesh pumpkin seeds in 2011~2012, two strains (CNU111042 and CNU111043) with similar colony characteristics were isolated and characterized by their morphology and by molecular phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer, glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gpd), and Alternaria allergen a1 (Alt a1) sequences. Phylogenetic analysis of all three sequences and their combined dataset revealed that the fungus formed a subclade within the A. alternata clade, matching A. burnsi and showing differences with its other closely related Alternaria species, such as A. longipes, A. tomato, and A. tomaticola. Long ellipsoid, obclavate or ovoid beakless conidia, shorter and thinner conidial size (16~60 [90] x 6.5~14 [~16] microm) distinguish this fungus from other related species. These isolates showed more transverse septation (2~11) and less longitudinal septation (0~3) than did other related species. Moreover, the isolate did not produce any diffusible pigment on media. Therefore, our results reveal that the newly recorded fungus from a new host, Cucurbita maxima, is Alternaria burnsii Uppal, Patel & Kamat.

Standardization of Ethanolic Extract of Cucurbita Maxima Seed.

Standardization is an important step for the establishment of a consistent biological activity, a consistent chemical profile, or simply a quality assurance program for production and manufacturing of herbal drugs preparation of any herbal formulation identification, evaluation and standardization is rudimentary identification involves the morphology, microscopy parameter of plants, evaluation and standardization of herbal drugs includes physical, chemical and biological parameters. These parameters are crucial for preparation of accurate and potent formulation. The present communication attempts to investigate pharmacognostical and phytochemical details of Cucurbita maxima, (Cucurbitaceae). The Preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, proteins and amino acids in alcoholic extract. HPTLC studies reveal that alcoholic extract gives 3 spots and alcoholic extract depicts 5 spots on the TLC plate in Butanol: acetic: water solvent system with Ninhydrin as spraying agent and 3 spots with vanillin as spraying agent and with butanol: phenol: water (6:1:1) 4 spots were seen with Ninhydrin as spraying agent and 2 spots were seen with vanillin as spraying agents. The GC/MS of pet ether methyl ester showed number of peaks. Out of which 3 highest peaks in descending order were taken into consideration. OSAZONE were formed which showed needle shaped crystals of glucaosazone. The study revealed specific identities for which may play a key role in identification of plant and can be useful in standardization of the herbal drugs.

Comparative Effect of Cucurbita Maxima Seed with Immunomodulators on Biochemical Parameters in Rabbits.

Cucurbita maxima seed was tested for its immuno modulatory effects by comparing it with a proprietary immuno stimulant levamisole HCL using dexamethasone induced immuno suppression model in rabbits in terms of assessing biochemical parameters. Total protein, globulin were found to be higher in Cucurbita maxima treated groups when given alone and with dexamethasone and its response was higher than levamisole in immuno suppressed animals. The study suggests that Cucurbita maxima possesses potential to act as an immuno modulator.

Fitoesteroles y escualeno como hipocolesterolémicos en cinco variedades de semillas de Cucurbita maxima y Cucurbita moschata (calabaza) / Phytosterols and squalene as hypocholesterolemic substances in five varieties of Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita moschata (pumpkin) seeds

Introducción: la semilla de calabaza se ha estudiado y utilizado en el tratamiento de enfermedades parasitarias, hipertrofia benigna prostática, cistitis y como hipoglicemiante.Sin embargo, se desconocen investigaciones que refieran el uso de la semilla de calabaza y sobre todo de los fitoesteroles y escualeno como elementos hipocolesterolémicos en humanos. Objetivo: determinar el contenido de fitoesteroles y escualeno de cinco variedades de semilla de calabaza para su posible uso como hipocolesterolémicos en humanos. Métodos: se estudiaron semillas de calabaza de dos especies, Cucurbita maxima y Cucurbita moschata, de Cuba y México de las variedades Fifí, Marucha, INIVIT C- 88 (cubanas), Chata y Tapatía (mexicanas), se determinó el perfil de fitoesteroles (beta-sitosterol, campesterol, estigmasterol y estigmastenol) y escualeno mediante cromatografía gas-líquido. Resultados: el contenido de extracto etéreo y grasa verdadera en las semillas osciló entre 331,5 y 346; 307 y 336 g/kg, respectivamente. La variedad fifí (Cucurbita moschata) presentó el mayor contenido de material insaponificable (35,0 g/kg), mostró diferencias significativas (p< 0,001) con las demás variedades y superior a las semillas oleaginosas convencionales. La concentración de escualeno y beta-sitosterol resultó superior en la variedad marucha (Cucurbita moschata) (40,27 y 202,59mg/100 g), que indicó diferencias significativas (p< 0,001) con las restantes variedades. Las variedades chata y marucha presentaron el mayor contenido de campesterol (50,08y 49,31 mg/100 g, respectivamente), así como la marucha encontró la mayor concentración de stigmasterol y estigmastenol (1,75y 28,63 mg/100 g), además, los contenidos resultaron superiores a los alimentos vegetales frecuentes en las dietas. Conclusiones: los resultados obtenidos en la concentración de los fitoesteroles y escualeno en las variedades analizadas, sugieren el estudio de la semilla de calabaza como posible hipocolesterolémico en humanos

Introduction: the pumpkin seed has been studied and used in the treatment of parasitic diseases, benign prostatic hypertrophy, cystitis and as hypoglycemic substance. However, the research concerning the use of pumpkin seeds and especially the sterols and squalene as hypocholesterolemic elements in humans is unknown. Objective: to determine the phytosterol and squalene content of five varieties of pumpkin seeds for their potential use as hypocholesterolemic compounds in humans. Methods: the pumpkin seeds from two species called Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita moschata from Cuba and Mexico were studied. The varieties were Fifi, Marucha, INIVIT C-88 (Cuban), Tapatía and Chata (Mexican) for which the profile of phytosterols (beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and stigmastenol) and the squalene were determined using gas-liquid chromatography. Results: the content of ethereal extract and real fat in the seeds ranged 331.5 to 346, and 307 to 336 g/kg, respectively. The variety Fifi (C. moschata) had the highest content of unsaponifiable material (35.0 g/kg) and showed significant differences (p< 0.001) compared with other varieties and above that of conventional oilseeds. The squalene, and beta-sitosterol concentration was higher Marucha (Cucurbita moschata) (40.27 and 202.59 mg/100 g), indicating significant differences (p< 0.001) compared with other varieties. Marucha and Chata varieties exhibited the highest campesterol content (50.08 and 49.31 mg/100 g, respectively), and the Marucha evidenced the largest concentration of stigmasterol and stigmastenol (1.75 and 28.63 mg/100 g); additionally, the amounts contained were above those of the common vegetable food in the diet. Conclusions: the results in phytosterol and squalene concentrations achieved in the studied varieties suggested that the pumpkin seeds be studied as a possible hypocholesterolemic substance for humans

Evaluación antileishmanial in vitro de extractos provenientes de Citrus limetta, Cucurbita maxima y Rhoeo spathacea / In vitro anti-leishmanial evaluation of extracts from Citrus limetta, Cucurbita maxima y Rhoeo spathacea

Introducción: la leishmaniosis comprende un grupo de enfermedades infecciosas causadas por organismos hemoflagelados del género Leishmania. Hoy día, esta enfermedad prevalece en 88 países tropicales alrededor del mundo y existe un estimado de 1,5 a 2 millones de nuevos casos por año. Su control es deficiente, principalmente al no contar con una vacuna eficaz. Aunque existen varios fármacos para su tratamiento, todos requieren una administración parenteral, tratamientos muy largos, costosos, y causan una alta toxicidad al organismo. El programa de enfermedades tropicales de la Organización Mundial de la Salud considera la investigación de plantas como una esencial prioridad para el tratamiento de Leishmania. Objetivo: evaluar la actividad antileishmanial de extractos provenientes de Citrus limetta, Cucurbita maxima y Rhoeo spathacea. Métodos: en este trabajo se utilizó una cepa de Leishmania amazonensis agente causal de la leishmaniosis cutánea. Se determinó la actividad de los extractos frente a los estadios de promastigote y amastigote del parásito, así como frente a macrófagos peritoneales de ratón BALB/c, para valorar su posible toxicidad. Resultados: los extractos provenientes de Curcubita maxima y Rhoeo spathacea fueron los que mostraron un mayor porcentaje de inhibición del crecimiento frente a promastigotes. Frente a amastigotes también mostraron una buena actividad antileishmanial, mientras que su citotoxicidad fue moderada con un índice de selectividad de 3. Conclusiones: solo los extractos de Curcubita maxima y Rhoeo spathacea fueron los que mostraron una actividad antileishmanial.

Background: leishmaniosis covers a group of infectious diseases caused by Leishmania genus hemoflagellate organisms. At present, this disease is prevailing in 88 tropical countries worldwide; it is estimated that 1.5 to 2 million new cases will occur every year. The control of the disease is deficient, mainly because there is no effective vaccine available. Although several drugs for treatment exist, all of them require parenteral way of administration, delayed and costly therapies and cause high toxicity. The tropical disease program of the World Health Organization considers plant research as an essential priority for Leishmania treatment. Objective: to evaluate the antileishmanial action of extracts from Citrus limetta, Cucurbita maxima y Rhoeo spathacea. Methods: aLeishmania amazonensis strain, the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniosis, was used in this paper. The extract effect on the stagings of promastigot and amastigot of the parasite as well as on the peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c mouse was determined to assess its possible toxicity. Results: Curcubita maxima y Rhoeo spathacea showed higher percentage of growth inhibition in promastigots. Good anti-leishmanial activity was also observed against amastigots, whereas its citotoxicity was moderate, with a selectivity index of 3. Conclusions: Curcubita maxima y Rhoeo spathacea extracts were the only ones that had anti-leishmanial activity.