Preventive effect of Cucurbita pepo L. on lipid profile in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Type 1 diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune disease, associated with damage to pancreatic insulin-producing β cells. The antidiabetic effects of Cucurbitapepo (Pumpkin) on lipid profile and CRP levels were evaluated in diabeteic rats.

In this study, twenty eight male white Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of seven eachas follows: Group 1: normal control, Group 2 diabetic control, Group 3: preventive+ pumpkin powder (1g/kg BW), and Group 4: preventive+ pumpkin powder (2g/kg BW). The normal rats in group 3 received pumpkin powder with gavaje injection for 6 weeks, daily; they were injected with alloxan at the end of the second week. The normal rats in group 4 received pumpkin powder with gavaje injection for 6 weeks daily and they were injected with alloxan at the end of the second week. Fasting blood samples were collected before the injection of alloxan and the end of the experimental period.

The results indicate a significant increase in glucose, lipid profile (cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL) and CRP level in the diabetic group compared with the other groups. Treatment with pumpkin powder in diabetic rats caused a significant decrease in the levels of biochemical factors compared with the diabetic groups (P<0.05).

The observations of this study indicate that phytochemicals present in pumpkin may play a preventive role in creation of diabetes-related complications.