Pumpkin Seed Oil Benefits and Side
Effects.
Pumpkin seed oil has been widely used without serious side effects. A few
reports of animal studies suggest its potential health benefits on cardiovascular
systems and anti-cancer activities.
Effects.
Pumpkin seed oil has been widely used without serious side effects. A few
reports of animal studies suggest its potential health benefits on cardiovascular
systems and anti-cancer activities.
Pumpkin [Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima]
Pumpkins are native to North and Central America. Native
Americans used pumpkin flesh/seeds for food, seeds to treat
intestinal infections and various kidney problems and flowers to
soothe minor injuries.
Ingredients and Nutritional Values
Its active ingredients include essential fatty acids, amino acids,
phytosterols (including beta-sitosterol), minerals and vitamins.
Pumpkin Seed Meal has a high calorie content of 568 calories/100
g. [A1] Crude protein content in dry matter of a typical pumpkin
seed cake is about 598.0 g/kg.
Seed kernels of pumpkin are rich in fat soluble vitamins, oil and
protein, containing considerable amounts of P, K, Mg, Mn, and
Ca. [6, 8] Roasted pumpkin contains a significantly high amount
of carotenoids, especially zeaxanthin. [A8] Pumpkin seed kernel
flour has high values of chemical score, essential amino acid
index, and in vitro protein digestibility. It could be potentially
added to food systems such as bakery products and ground
meat formulations as a nutrient supplement as well as a
functional agent. [A6]
Pumpkin Seed Oil has high amounts of unsaturated fatty acids
with linoleic and oleic acids as the major acids. [A6]
Major Benefits
Benign Prostate Symptoms
Pumpkin seed oil is always combined with saw palmetto to reduce
symptoms of BPH [1,2]. It alone has also been used to reduce
BPH's symptoms[3,4]. Pumpkin seed oil extracts standardized
for fatty acid content have been used in BPH studies. Men
suffered from BPH usually take 160 mg three times a day with
meal[12].
Potential Benefits
Parasites
Curcurbitin in pumpkin seeds has shown anti-parasitic activity in
vi-vitro[5]. Chinese scientists used pumpkin seeds to treat acute
schistosomiasis and tapeworm infestations [6-8].
Depression
L-tryptophan in pumpkin seeds are suggested to help remedy
depression[9].
Kidney Stone
In Thailand, people use pumpkin seeds to prevent kidney stone
[10-11]. Pumpkin seeds appear to slow down the stone
formation in the urine.
Anti-Oxidant Activities and Cardiac Related Conditions
Pumpkin seeds have long been used for health benefits and the
seed oils of pumpkin may also contain many active beneficial
components. The active beneficial components may protect
important biological molecules from oxidative stress. [A8]
Pumpkin seed oil is a rich source of antioxidants and
polyunsaturated fatty acids [A2].
Administration of pumpkin seed oil to rats suffered from arthritis
was found to improve the signs of arthritis such as paw oedema.
[A2]
Administration of pumpkin seed oil together with simvastatin to
high cholesterol-fed rabbits, for three weeks caused a significant
reduction of the aortic contractile response to norepinephrine
and to normalize the most adverse effects observed during
hypercholesterolemia. [A3]
A study suggested that pumpkin seed oil might enhance the
blood pressure lowering effect of calcium antagonist felodipine or
angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-inhibitor),
captopril. [A5]
Pumpkin seed protein isolate has shown benefits on the liver
health in an animal study. The administration of pumpkin seed
protein isolates after carbon tetrachloride intoxication resulted in
significantly reduced activity levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LD),
alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and
alkaline phosphatase (ALP). [A7]
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2006 ZHION. DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER TO OTHER
WEBSITES. THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY, IF YOU HAVE ANY
QUESTION, YOU SHOULD DISCUSS WITH YOUR DOCTOR.
[A1] Salgado JM Chemical and biological characterization of meal and protein
isolates from pumpkin seed (Cucurbita moschata)] Arch Latinoam Nutr. 1992
Dec;42(4):443-50. [A2] Fahim AT et al, Effect of pumpkin-seed oil on the level of
free radical scavengers induced during adjuvant-arthritis in rats. Pharmacol Res.
1995 Jan;31(1):73-9. [A3] al-Zuhair H et al, Efficacy of simvastatin and
pumpkin-seed oil in the management of dietary-induced hypercholesterolemia.
Pharmacol Res. 1997 May;35(5):403-8. [A4] Zdunczyk Z, Comparative study of
the chemical composition and nutritional value of pumpkin seed cake, soybean
meal and casein. Nahrung. 1999 Dec;43(6):392-5. [5] Zuhair HA et al,
Pumpkin-seed oil modulates the effect of felodipine and captopril in
spontaneously hypertensive rats. Pharmacol Res. 2000 May;41(5):555-63. [A6}
rmelon, pumpkin, and paprika seed oils and flours. J Agric Food Chem. 2001
Mar;49(3):1253-9. [A7] Nkosi CZ Effect of pumpkin seed (Cucurbita pepo) protein
isolate on the activity levels of certain plasma enzymes in CCl4-induced liver injury
in low-protein fed rats. Phytother Res. 2005 Apr;19(4):341-5. [A8] J. W. Parry et
al, Antioxidant properties and phytochemical contents of cold-pressed onion,
parsley, cardamom, mullein, roasted pumpkin, and milk thistle seed oils. 2006
FDA Science Forum [1] Carbin et al. Treatment by Curbicin in BPH. Swed J Biol Med
1989;2:7-9. [2] Carbin et al. Treatment of BPH with phytosterols. Br J Urol
1990;66:639-41. [3] Schiebel-Schlosser et al. Phytotherapy of BPH with pumpkin
seeds-a multicenter clinical trial. Zeits Phytother 1998;19:71-6. [4] Zhang et al.
Effect of the extracts of pumpkin seeds on the urodynamics of rabbits: an
experimental study. J Tongji Med Univ 1994;14:235-8. [5] Rybaitavski et al. On
the discovery of cucurbitin-a component of pumpkin seed with anthelmintic action.
Med Parazitol(Mosk) 1966;35:487-8. [6] Chou et al. Pumpkin seed in the
treatment of acute schistosomiasis. Chin Med J 1960:80:115-20. [7] Chun et al.
Treatment of Taenia saginata infection. Chung Hua Min Kuo Wei Sheng Wu Hsueh
Tsa Chih 1976;9:31-5. [8] Plotnikov et al. Clinical trial of cucurbin in cestodiasis.
Med Parazitol (Mosk) 1972;41:407-11. [9] Eagles et al. Treatment of depression
with pumpkin seeds. Br. J Psychiatry 1990;157:937-8. [10] Suphakam et al. The
effect of pumpkin seeds on oxalcrystalluria and urinary compositions of children in
hyperendemic area. Am J Clin Nutr 1987;45:115-21. [11] Suphiphat et al. The
effect of pumpkin seeds snack on inhibitors and promoters of urolithiasis in Thai
adolescents. J Med Assoc Thai 1993;76:487-93. [12] Carbin et al. Treatment of
BPH with phytosterols. Br J Urol 1990;66:639-41.
Pumpkins are native to North and Central America. Native
Americans used pumpkin flesh/seeds for food, seeds to treat
intestinal infections and various kidney problems and flowers to
soothe minor injuries.
Ingredients and Nutritional Values
Its active ingredients include essential fatty acids, amino acids,
phytosterols (including beta-sitosterol), minerals and vitamins.
Pumpkin Seed Meal has a high calorie content of 568 calories/100
g. [A1] Crude protein content in dry matter of a typical pumpkin
seed cake is about 598.0 g/kg.
Seed kernels of pumpkin are rich in fat soluble vitamins, oil and
protein, containing considerable amounts of P, K, Mg, Mn, and
Ca. [6, 8] Roasted pumpkin contains a significantly high amount
of carotenoids, especially zeaxanthin. [A8] Pumpkin seed kernel
flour has high values of chemical score, essential amino acid
index, and in vitro protein digestibility. It could be potentially
added to food systems such as bakery products and ground
meat formulations as a nutrient supplement as well as a
functional agent. [A6]
Pumpkin Seed Oil has high amounts of unsaturated fatty acids
with linoleic and oleic acids as the major acids. [A6]
Major Benefits
Benign Prostate Symptoms
Pumpkin seed oil is always combined with saw palmetto to reduce
symptoms of BPH [1,2]. It alone has also been used to reduce
BPH's symptoms[3,4]. Pumpkin seed oil extracts standardized
for fatty acid content have been used in BPH studies. Men
suffered from BPH usually take 160 mg three times a day with
meal[12].
Potential Benefits
Parasites
Curcurbitin in pumpkin seeds has shown anti-parasitic activity in
vi-vitro[5]. Chinese scientists used pumpkin seeds to treat acute
schistosomiasis and tapeworm infestations [6-8].
Depression
L-tryptophan in pumpkin seeds are suggested to help remedy
depression[9].
Kidney Stone
In Thailand, people use pumpkin seeds to prevent kidney stone
[10-11]. Pumpkin seeds appear to slow down the stone
formation in the urine.
Anti-Oxidant Activities and Cardiac Related Conditions
Pumpkin seeds have long been used for health benefits and the
seed oils of pumpkin may also contain many active beneficial
components. The active beneficial components may protect
important biological molecules from oxidative stress. [A8]
Pumpkin seed oil is a rich source of antioxidants and
polyunsaturated fatty acids [A2].
Administration of pumpkin seed oil to rats suffered from arthritis
was found to improve the signs of arthritis such as paw oedema.
[A2]
Administration of pumpkin seed oil together with simvastatin to
high cholesterol-fed rabbits, for three weeks caused a significant
reduction of the aortic contractile response to norepinephrine
and to normalize the most adverse effects observed during
hypercholesterolemia. [A3]
A study suggested that pumpkin seed oil might enhance the
blood pressure lowering effect of calcium antagonist felodipine or
angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-inhibitor),
captopril. [A5]
Pumpkin seed protein isolate has shown benefits on the liver
health in an animal study. The administration of pumpkin seed
protein isolates after carbon tetrachloride intoxication resulted in
significantly reduced activity levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LD),
alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and
alkaline phosphatase (ALP). [A7]
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2006 ZHION. DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER TO OTHER
WEBSITES. THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY, IF YOU HAVE ANY
QUESTION, YOU SHOULD DISCUSS WITH YOUR DOCTOR.
[A1] Salgado JM Chemical and biological characterization of meal and protein
isolates from pumpkin seed (Cucurbita moschata)] Arch Latinoam Nutr. 1992
Dec;42(4):443-50. [A2] Fahim AT et al, Effect of pumpkin-seed oil on the level of
free radical scavengers induced during adjuvant-arthritis in rats. Pharmacol Res.
1995 Jan;31(1):73-9. [A3] al-Zuhair H et al, Efficacy of simvastatin and
pumpkin-seed oil in the management of dietary-induced hypercholesterolemia.
Pharmacol Res. 1997 May;35(5):403-8. [A4] Zdunczyk Z, Comparative study of
the chemical composition and nutritional value of pumpkin seed cake, soybean
meal and casein. Nahrung. 1999 Dec;43(6):392-5. [5] Zuhair HA et al,
Pumpkin-seed oil modulates the effect of felodipine and captopril in
spontaneously hypertensive rats. Pharmacol Res. 2000 May;41(5):555-63. [A6}
rmelon, pumpkin, and paprika seed oils and flours. J Agric Food Chem. 2001
Mar;49(3):1253-9. [A7] Nkosi CZ Effect of pumpkin seed (Cucurbita pepo) protein
isolate on the activity levels of certain plasma enzymes in CCl4-induced liver injury
in low-protein fed rats. Phytother Res. 2005 Apr;19(4):341-5. [A8] J. W. Parry et
al, Antioxidant properties and phytochemical contents of cold-pressed onion,
parsley, cardamom, mullein, roasted pumpkin, and milk thistle seed oils. 2006
FDA Science Forum [1] Carbin et al. Treatment by Curbicin in BPH. Swed J Biol Med
1989;2:7-9. [2] Carbin et al. Treatment of BPH with phytosterols. Br J Urol
1990;66:639-41. [3] Schiebel-Schlosser et al. Phytotherapy of BPH with pumpkin
seeds-a multicenter clinical trial. Zeits Phytother 1998;19:71-6. [4] Zhang et al.
Effect of the extracts of pumpkin seeds on the urodynamics of rabbits: an
experimental study. J Tongji Med Univ 1994;14:235-8. [5] Rybaitavski et al. On
the discovery of cucurbitin-a component of pumpkin seed with anthelmintic action.
Med Parazitol(Mosk) 1966;35:487-8. [6] Chou et al. Pumpkin seed in the
treatment of acute schistosomiasis. Chin Med J 1960:80:115-20. [7] Chun et al.
Treatment of Taenia saginata infection. Chung Hua Min Kuo Wei Sheng Wu Hsueh
Tsa Chih 1976;9:31-5. [8] Plotnikov et al. Clinical trial of cucurbin in cestodiasis.
Med Parazitol (Mosk) 1972;41:407-11. [9] Eagles et al. Treatment of depression
with pumpkin seeds. Br. J Psychiatry 1990;157:937-8. [10] Suphakam et al. The
effect of pumpkin seeds on oxalcrystalluria and urinary compositions of children in
hyperendemic area. Am J Clin Nutr 1987;45:115-21. [11] Suphiphat et al. The
effect of pumpkin seeds snack on inhibitors and promoters of urolithiasis in Thai
adolescents. J Med Assoc Thai 1993;76:487-93. [12] Carbin et al. Treatment of
BPH with phytosterols. Br J Urol 1990;66:639-41.
Do you have
recipes for
pumpkin pie?
If you do, please,
send them to
me. Thanks.
Zhion.
recipes for
pumpkin pie?
If you do, please,
send them to
me. Thanks.
Zhion.
| NUTRITIONAL VALUES OF A PUMPKIN SEED CAKE The main fatty acids in a typical pumpkin seed cake were oleic acid (50.4%) and linoleic acid (29.9%). Protein found in a typical pumpkin seed cake contained considerable quantities of tryptophan (1.54 g/16 g N), lysine (3.21 g/16 g N) and isoleucine (3.83 g/16 g N). A typical pumpkin seed cake also contain small quantities (activities) of phenolic compounds (2.61 g/kg), trypsin inhibitors (1.33 TUI/mg) and alpha-galactosides (19.9 g/kg). [A4] |
