Pumpkin: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
Pumpkin seeds, Pumpkin seeds
Scientific name(s)
Cucurbita pepo L., seed
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Vitamin E
Beta-carotene
Linoleic acid
Phytosterols
Oleic acid
Lutein
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia ✪✪✪✪✪
The EMA recognizes the traditional use of pumpkin seed extracts for the relief of lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or related to an overactive bladder. ESCOP indicates its use in the symptomatic treatment of voiding disorders (such as dysuria, urinary frequency, nocturia, urinary retention and hesitancy) in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) at stages I and II according to Alken's definition or at stages II and III according to Vahlensieck's definition. Several good-quality studies support these traditional uses. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in 47 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was reduced by a 3-month treatment with pumpkin seed oil, but prostate-specific antigen and prostate volume were not reduced. The IPSS is a standardized questionnaire used to assess symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Another clinical trial with 2,245 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia who received a pumpkin seed extract for 3 months also showed an improvement in BPH symptoms, particularly in the early stages, measured by a decrease in the IPSS. Pumpkin seed oil has also been compared with tamsulosin (the reference drug for treating BPH symptoms). A clinical study comparing pumpkin seed oil 360 mg twice daily with tamsulosin 0.4 mg once nightly for 3 months shows that both treatment groups reported improvements in BPH symptoms and quality of life compared with baseline, although the improvement appears greater in the tamsulosin group, especially when measured at 1 month and at 3 months. In the pumpkin seed oil group, no adverse effects were reported, compared with 15% of patients taking tamsulosin.
Posologie
Oral: seed
720 - 1200 mg
12 months
Men
oil
Synergies
Community herbal monograph on Cucurbita pepo L., semen
A phase II randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating the efficacy and safety of ProstateEZE Max: a herbal medicine preparation for the management of symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy.
Pumpkin Seed Extract: Cell Growth Inhibition of Hyperplastic and Cancer Cells, Independent of Steroid Hormone Receptors
A phase II randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating the efficacy and safety of ProstateEZE Max: a herbal medicine preparation for the management of symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy.
Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with phytosterols.
Pumpkin seed oil (Cucurbita pepo) versus tamsulosin for benign prostatic hyperplasia symptom relief: a single-blind randomized clinical trial
Inhibition of Testosterone-Induced Hyperplasia of the Prostate of Sprague-Dawley Rats by Pumpkin Seed Oil
Effects of Pumpkin Seed Oil and Saw Palmetto Oil in Korean Men With Symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
[Prosta Fink Forte capsules in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Multicentric surveillance study in 2245 patients].
[Prosta Fink Forte capsules in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Multicentric surveillance study in 2245 patients].
Pumpkin seed oil (prostafit) or prazosin? Which one is better in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Hair loss ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research suggests that taking pumpkin seed oil at 400 mg per day for 24 weeks increases hair mass by 30% compared with placebo in men with mild to moderate hair loss. nnA more recent study examined the effectiveness of pumpkin seed oil -applied to the scalp- in the treatment of hair loss in women. The study compared pumpkin seed oil with 5% minoxidil. In the study, 60 women with androgenetic alopecia were divided into two groups: one treated with pumpkin seed oil, and the other with minoxidil. Treatments were applied once a day for three months. Effectiveness was assessed by observing changes in hair density and regrowth. Results showed a significant improvement in both groups, but minoxidil demonstrated greater efficacy compared with pumpkin seed oil.nnThe authors conclude that pumpkin seed oil applied to the scalp improves hair regrowth in the same way as 5% minoxidil foam, at a dose of 1 ml per day.nn
Posologie
Topical, oral: seed
400 mg
3 - months
Adults
oil
Evaluation of the Safety and Effectiveness of Nutritional Supplements for Treating Hair Loss: A Systematic Review
Pumpkin seed oil vs. minoxidil 5% topical foam for the treatment of female pattern hair loss: A randomized comparative trial
Effect of pumpkin seed oil on hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.nnnn
Urinary disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
ESCOP indicates the use of pumpkin seeds for urinary incontinence or overactive bladder in men and women. A study enrolling 45 subjects validated this use. A pumpkin seed oil extract from C. maxima (10 g oil/day) was administered orally for 12 weeks. After 6 and 12 weeks, urinary function was evaluated using the OABSS (Overactive Bladder Symptom Score). C. maxima pumpkin seed oil significantly reduced the OABSS score in subjects.
Posologie
Oral: seed
10 g
12 weeks
Adults
oil
Pumpkin Seed Oil Extracted From Cucurbita Maxima Improves Urinary Disorder in Human Overactive Bladder
Chemical and Nutritional Characterization of Seed Oil From Cucurbita Maxima L. (Var. Berrettina) Pumpkin
E/S/C/O/P: 2nd Edition of the ESCOP Monographs
Cucurbita pepo-Rhus aromatica-Humulus lupulus Combination Reduces Overactive Bladder Symptoms in Women - A Noninterventional Study
Properties
Antiandrogenic
It has been suggested that the actions of pumpkin seed oil are due to phytosterols, which are known to inhibit 5-alpha-reductase and to have antiandrogenic effects in rats. The enzyme 5-alpha reductase is responsible for converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a more active form of the hormone. Pumpkin seeds may reduce DHT levels by inhibiting this enzyme, which is beneficial in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condition often associated with excessive androgenic activity.
Usages associés
Antiparasitic
Pumpkin seed extracts can be used to combat infections by gastrointestinal nematodes and Hymenolepis nana (dwarf tapeworm) according to some in vivo and in vitro studies. Pumpkin seeds have anthelmintic properties, mainly due to the presence of a compound called cucurbitin. Cucurbitin is a non-protein amino acid effective against several types of intestinal parasites. Studies have shown that pumpkin seed extracts are effective against parasites such as schistosomes and tapeworms. These anthelmintic properties are explained by the action of cucurbitin, which inhibits the growth of these parasites. Cucurbitin has a chemical structure similar to that of kainic acid (known for its neuroexcitatory properties; it may act by disrupting the nervous system of parasitic worms), which could explain its mode of action as an anthelmintic.
Diuretic
Pumpkin seed oil appears to have a diuretic effect, which may relieve bladder discomfort. The phytosterol constituents are thought to affect urinary flow. Delta-7 sterols, which are thought to be the main contributors to these effects, are, however, detected only in certain varieties of pumpkin.
Usages associés
Anticancer
In vitro research shows that pumpkin seed extract or cucurbitine may inhibit the growth of various types of cancer cells. In an in vitro study, pumpkin seed extract inhibited cell growth of cancer cell lines: prostate cancer cell lines and the breast cancer cell line. This effect was not due to cucurbitine. Growth inhibition was also observed in a hyperplastic but non-cancerous cell line derived from benign prostatic hyperplasia tissue. However, the study concludes that these effects are not mediated by steroid sex hormone receptors.
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Adults 18 years and older: 300 mg - 900 mg (dry extract)
Dry extract: dose of 105 mg, 3 times per day; or 152 mg, 2 times per day.
Adults 18 years and older: 300 mg - 1200 mg (oil)
Oil: 300 - 1200 mg per day.
Adults 18 years and older: 5 g - 15 g (powder)
Powder: 2.5 - 7.5 g, twice a day.
Plantes ou autres actifs
Pumpkin: low interaction
Because of these potential diuretic effects, pumpkin could reduce excretion and increase lithium levels.
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
Pumpkin seed oil is very well tolerated by the body. Medical advice is nevertheless recommended for young children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Pumpkin seed oil is very well tolerated by the body. Medical advice is nevertheless recommended for young children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women.
Children up to 18 years old: avoid
Pumpkin seed oil is very well tolerated by the body. However, medical advice is recommended for young children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women.
