Effect of Watermelon & Pumpkin Seeds Extract on Physiological Parameters in BPH Rats
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52206/jsmc.2025.15.2.1056Abstract
Background: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is the most widespread condition among older men, causing urinary dysfunction and the risk of renal failure. Our study focuses on using medicinal plants, particularly watermelon and pumpkin seeds, in preventing BPH.
Objective: The present study was to assess the effects of watermelon and Cucurbita pepo seed extracts versus dutasteride on physiological parameters in BPH rats.
Materials and Methods: During the 29-day research period, 42 healthy adult male albino rats were divided into six groups of seven animals each. All groups, except for group 1, received daily subcutaneous testosterone (3 mg/kg) and specific medications as per their designated groups for the first 14 days to induce Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), followed by a maintenance phase from days 15 to 29. Group 1 served as the normal healthy control, while group 2 served as the disease control. The treatment groups included: group 3 (3 mg/kg testosterone s.c.+ 0.5 mg/kg dutasteride p.o.), group 4 (3 mg/kg testosterone + 2 g/kg methanolic extract of watermelon seeds p.o.), group 5 (3 mg/kg testosterone s.c.+5 g/kg petroleum ether extract of pumpkin seeds p.o.), and group 6 (3 mg/kg testosterone s.c. +1 g/kg methanolic extract of watermelon seeds p.o.+2.5 g/kg petroleum ether extract of pumpkin seeds p.o.). Body weight & urine output were collected on days 0, 14, and 29. At the end of study, the animals were sacrificed and the prostates were weighed.
Results: The preventive combination of 1 g/kg methanolic extract of watermelon seeds and 2.5 g/kg petroleum extract of pumpkin seeds resulted in a significant increase in urine output by day 14 after BPH induction, which was maintained throughout the duration of the study. This improvement was confirmed by normalized prostatic weight, which was similar to the effects observed with dutasteride.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that the combination of watermelon seed and pumpkin seed extracts may offer a potential natural alternative for managing BPH symptoms. Further research is recommended to explore the underlying mechanisms and confirm the long-term efficacy and safety of this treatment.
Keywords: Body weight, Preventive, Prostate weight, Pumpkin, Urine output, Watermelon.
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