Evaluation of Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) Pulp and Seeds Extracts on Gastrointestinal Ulcers Induced by Indomethacin in Rats

Abstract

Peptic ulcer is considered to be one of the most common diseases especially in old age persons due to, the prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).The present study was done to evaluate the protective and improvement effects of oral administration of each of pumpkin pulp and seed aqueous and ethanolic extracts on gastrointestinal ulcer lesions induced by oral administration of indomethacin in rats. The results showed that indomethacin induced ulceration and inflammations in stomach and small intestine in rats revealed by a significant elevation in xanthine oxidase (XO) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities.  Moreover, a significant increase in neutrophils infiltration and lipid peroxidation were evidenced by significant increase in the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) with decrease in catalase (CAT) activity and reduced glutathione (GSH) level. However, treatments with pumpkin pulp and / or seed extracts caused a significant decrease in the values of gastric volume, free and total acidity in all groups of rats after administration of pumpkin pulp and / or seeds oil extracts and a significant protective and improvement effects on gastrointestinal status was observed compared to indomethacin pathogenic group.