Effect of Cucurbita pepo (Pumpkin) seed extracts on the cyclicity and reproductive hormones of female Wistar rats

Introduction: Despite the traditional use of Cucurbita pepo seed in pregnancy, its effects on female reproduction remain scarce. This study evaluated the impacts of n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), and aqueous ethanol extracts of C. pepo seed on the cyclicity and reproductive hormones of female Wistar rats. Methods: Ten groups of four rats received seed extracts or tween 80 orally for 21 days: A (control)= 0.5 mL tween 80 (vehicle); B, C, D= 142.86, 285.71, and 428.57 mg/kg nHE; E, F, G= 142.86, 285.71, 428.57 mg/kg of DCM; and H, I, J= 142.86, 285.71, 428.57 mg/kg of aqueous ethanol extracts, respectively. Vaginal cytology monitored the estrous cycle daily, and blood samples were obtained for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen, and progesterone at various oestrus cycle phases. Results: Compared to the control, the estrous cycle phases did not change significantly (P 0.05). FSH levels significantly increased (P 0.05) with DCM and aqueous ethanol extracts of C. pepo seed during proestrus and estrus phases compared to the control. A significant (P 0.05) increase in LH was observed with n-hexane, DCM, and aqueous ethanol extracts during all estrous cycle phases compared to the control. All extracts significantly increased estrogen levels (P 0.05) during all phases. DCM and aqueous ethanol extracts reduced substantially the estrus-phase progesterone. Conclusion: Cucurbita pepo may stimulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in female reproduction. Further studies should be conducted using various phytoestrogen compounds to gain useful knowledge about the effectiveness, safety, and long-term effects of C. pepo seed extracts in regulating hormonal balance.