Reference Number: 481
Year: 2012
Link: Link to original paper
Health: Blood pressure | Cardiometabolic diseases | Heart Disease
Nutrition: Polyphenols
Summary
Pumpkin seed oil is a natural product commonly used in folk medicine for treatment of prostatic hypertrophy. In the present study, the effects of treatment with pumpkin seed oil on hypertension induced by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(?)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) (50 mg /kg/day) in rats were studied and compared with those of the calcium channel blocker amlodipine. Pumpkin seed oil (40 or 100 mg/kg), amlodipine (0.9 mg/kg), or vehicle (control) was given once daily orally for 6 weeks. Arterial blood pressure (BP), heart rate, electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, levels of serum nitric oxide (NO) (the concentrations of nitrite/nitrate), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), blood glutathione, and erythrocytic superoxide dismutase activity were measured. Histopathological examination of heart and aorta was conducted as well. L-NAME administration resulted in a significant increase in BP starting from the second week. Pumpkin seed oil or amlodipine treatment significantly reduced the elevation in BP by L-NAME and normalized the L-NAME-induced ECG changes-namely, prolongation of the RR interval, increased P wave duration, and ST elevation. Both treatments significantly decreased the elevated levels of MDA and reversed the decreased levels of NO metabolites to near normal values compared with the L-NAME-treated group. Amlodipine also significantly increased blood glutathione content compared with normal (but not L-NAME-treated) rats. Pumpkin seed oil as well as amlodipine treatment protected against pathological alterations in heart and aorta induced by L-NAME. In conclusion, this study has shown that pumpkin seed oil exhibits an antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects through a mechanism that may involve generation of NO.
Significance of this study to the baker:
Pumpkin seeds are rich in the antioxidant rich phytochemicals, carotenoids as well as unsaturated fatty acids which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, reducing inflammation in the body. There are other studies that suggest that incidence of hypertension is reduced in those who regularly consume this seeds oils. Like this study however, these are mainly based on animal models and therefore we do need more human studies to clarify these suggestions. At the Sourdough School, we encourage use of seeds in our bakes. You may like to try the Seeded Burrato Sourdough recipe to boost your intake of pumpkin seeds.
