Anti-inflammatory activity of two varieties of pumpkin seed oil in an adjuvant arthritis model in rats

Abstract

SUMMARY:The aim of the present research was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of pumpkin seed oils (PSOs) of an Egyptian and European variety, in a rat model of adjuvant arthritis. Edema thickness, plasma tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were determined as inflammatory biomarkers while malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were assessed as indicative of oxidative stress. Chromosomal aberration, sperm shape abnormalities, and DNA fragmentations are cytogenetic parameters which aid in tracing inflammatory and oxidative activity. Phenolic contents and β-carotene were determined in PSOs. The results showed elevated ESR, plasma TNF-α, plasma MDA, liver cellular DNA fragmentation, bone marrow chromosomal aberration, sperm shape abnormalities with a reduction in plasma TAC and body weight gain in an adjuvant arthritis control compared to a healthy control. Administration of low and high doses of either Egyptian or European PSO improved all the aforementioned parameters with variable degrees.KEYWORDS: Adjuvant arthritis; Anti-inflammatory; β-Carotene; Phenolic contents; Pumpkin seed oils RESUMEN: Actividad antiinflamatoria de dos variedades de aceite de semillas de calabaza en un modelo de artritis adyuvante en ratas. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue evaluar la actividad antiinflamatoria de aceites de calabaza (PSOs) de variedades egipcia y europea, en un modelo de rata con artritis adyuvante. El espesor del edema, el factor de necrosis tumoral (TNF-α) y la velocidad de sedimentación eritrocitaria (ESR) se determinaron como biomarcadores inflamatorios, mientras que el malondialdehído (MDA) y la capacidad antioxidante total (TAC) fueron evaluados como indicativos de estrés oxidativo. La aberración cromosómica, las anomalías de la forma del esperma y las fragmentaciones del ADN son parámetros citogenéticos que ayudan a localizar la actividad inflamatoria y oxidativa. Se determinaron contenidos fenólicos y β-caroteno en PSOs. Los resultados mostraron elevado ESR, TNF-α plasmático, MDA plasmática, fragmentación del ADN del hígado, aberración cromosómica de la médula ósea, anomalías de la forma espermática con una reducción del TAC plasmático y un aumento del peso corporal en el control de la artritis adyuvante en comparación con el control sano. La administración de dosis bajas y altas de PSO egipcia o europea mejoró todos los parámetros mencionados en grados variables.

The effect of press temperature on the total tocopherols, sterol, fatty acid, phenolic profile, in-vitro cytotoxicity assay, and anti-inflammatory activity

“…In a similar study conducted by Amin et al (2020), the anti-inflammatory activity of indigenous and hybrid pumpkin seed oils was investigated and found that indigenous pumpkin seed oil had a higher effect with a rate of 89% at a concentration of 45 µg/mL compared to a hybrid one. In another in vivo study, the anti-inflammatory activity of pumpkin seed oils of an Egyptian and European variety was examined in a rat model of adjuvant arthritis and it was determined that PSO significantly reduced inflammation (Al-Okbi et al, 2017). Similarly, Arslanbaş et al (2020) examined the anti-inflammatory activity of Turkey source pumpkin seed oil in rat oedema model and observed that a significant anti-inflammatory effect in the group to which a high dosage of Turkey-sourced PSO (100 mg/ kg) was administered.…”

Fatty Acid Profile, Total Phenolic Content, and Antioxidant Activity of Niger Seed (Guizotia abyssinica) and Linseed (Linum usitatissimum)

“…Unlike many anti-inflammatory agents that have ulcerogenic effects, cold-pressed seed oils, such as those from coriander or black cumin are promising sources of anti-inflammatory agents that are highly desirable for treating inflammation ( 21 ). The anti-inflammatory activities of phenols, β-carotene, unsaturated fatty acids, and tocopherol in pumpkin seed oil have been demonstrated through their role in reducing the expression of inflammatory biomarkers in rat arthritis model ( 22 ).…”

Nutritional Value, Phytochemical Potential, and Therapeutic Benefits of Pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.)

“…In addition to all of the aforementioned properties, pumpkin has been reported to play an important role in inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory properties [ 139 , 140 , 141 ].…”