Oestrogenic Activity of Aqueous Ethanol Extract of Cucurbita pepo (Pumpkin) Seed in Female Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of aqueous ethanol extract of Cucurbita pepo seed (AEECPS) on the reproductive hormones of female rats. A total of 16 healthy non-pregnant female wistar rats divided into 4 groups of 4 rats each, for a 12-day treatment by oral gavage as follows: A (Control) = 0.5 ml 20% tween 80 (Vehicle); B, C & D = 142.86, 285.71, and 428.57mg/kg AEECPS respectively. Vaginal cytology examination was done daily to determine the oestrous cycle phases. At the end of the treatment, blood sample was collected according to the four phases of the oestrous cycle for hormonal assay - FSH, LH, Oestrogen and Progesterone. C.pepo seed extract caused a significant (P<0.05) increase in only the oestrogen level at the proestrus, oestrus, metestrus and diestrus phases, and also produced a significant (P <0.05) decrease in progesterone at the oestrus stage, though only at the dose of 285.71mg/kg relative to the control. There was a significant (P <0.05) decrease in the diestrus phase in group B (142.86mg/kg AEECPS) treated rats when compared with the control. Cucurbita pepo seed may have estrogenic properties, given the significant increase in oestrogen concentration throughout the phases of the oestrous cycle. This finding may be considered for clinical trial in post-menopausal females as hormone replacement therapy due to its oestrogenic activity.