Preventive Effect of Pumpkin (Cucurbita Pepo L.) on Diabetic index and Histopathology of Pancreas in Alloxan-Induced Diabetes in Rats

Nowadays, medicinal plants are novel therapeutic approaches in the treatment of diabetes. This study aimed at assessing preventive effect of different doses of Cucurbita pepo (Pumpkin) on blood glucose and insulin levels and pancreas tissue in rats with diabetes. In this experience male white Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of seven each: 1, normal group, 2, diabetic group, 3. preventive + low dose of pumpkin powder (1 g/kg) and 4. preventive + pumpkin powder (2g/kg). Groups 3 and 4 received pumpkin powder with gavage injection for 6 weeks, daily and were injected with alloxan (120 mg/kg) at the end of the second week. Fasting blood samples were collected before of injection of alloxan and at the end of experimental period. Pancreas tissue samples in all groups were collected to be microscopic investigated. There was no significant difference between the groups in level of fasting blood sugar and insulin before alloxan injection. The results indicated a significant decrease in fasting blood sugar and significant increase in insulin level in the treated groups with pumpkin powder compared to diabetic group. There was not any significant difference between function of the high and low dosages of pumpkin powder (P < 0.05). Histological studies of the pancreas tissue samples confirmed that on the base, the consumed pumpkin had significant effects on increasing the size of pancreatic islets. Based on these results, it is suggested that pumpkin powder consume has favorable effects in pre-venting hyperglycemia and the histopathological changes of pancreas in diabetes.