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Pumpkin seed oil: unveiling its potential in controlling infammation and pathogenicity during experimental trichinellosis

Research Authors
Sara Salah Abdel‑Hakeem, Sulaiman Mohammed Alnasser, Alotaibi Meshal, Mahmoud Abdel‑Zaher Abdel‑Samiee, Mohamed Salah Eldin Youssef, Shimaa Hamdi Abd Elsadek and Salwa Mahmoud Abd‑Elrahman
Research Abstract
Abstract
Background This study aimed to investigate the antiparasitic and anti-infammatory potential of pumpkin seed oil
in mice infected with Trichinella spiralis by demonstrating its impact on MMP-9 expression and pathogenesis dur‑
ing the intestinal and muscular phases.
Results In this study, 100 mice were divided into fve groups: an infected group, a pumpkin seed oil-treated
group (1.5 mg/kg BW, administered three times per week), an albendazole-treated group, a native control group,
and a pumpkin oil control group. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of the pumpkin seed oil revealed
a broad spectrum of biologically active compounds. The pumpkin seed oil treatment led to a signifcant reduction
in the parasite burden, with a 75% decrease in adult worms and a 66% decrease in encysted larvae. Additionally,
the infected animals treated with pumpkin oil exhibited a marked reduction in intestinal infammation, character‑
ized by a progressive increase in goblet cells. The number of encysted larvae in the diaphragm and muscle tissues
was also signifcantly decreased. Furthermore, pumpkin seed oil treatment signifcantly reduced MMP-9 levels
in both intestinal and muscular tissues, highlighting its potential to attenuate infammation.
Conclusion These fndings underscore the efectiveness of pumpkin seed oil as anti-infammatory and antiparasitic
agent.
Research Date
Research Department
Research Publisher
BMC veterinary research
Research Vol
20
Research Year
2024
Research Pages
419