Background Prevention and treatment of obesity is a way to reduce cardiovascular disease, diabetes and depression. Pumpkin as a favorable plant has different properties notably antioxidant, lipid-lowering and anti-diabetic potential. The aim of this study was to assess the anti-obesity effects of pumpkin in diet-induced obese rats. Methods Thirty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=6) of healthy control, dietary fatty control rats, and three experimental dietary fatty rats that received hydro-alcoholic extract of pumpkin once daily at doses 100 and 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. At the end of 6 weeks, lipid profile, atherogenicity, liver enzymes, and oxidative stress status were measured. Results Pumpkin in a dose-dependent manner dramatically decreased triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein, and liver enzymes while high-density lipoprotein was markedly increased in treated groups. Pumpkin also increased glutathione level in comparison with obese control group. Conclusions Pumpkin ameliorated oxidative stress and dyslipidemia in obese rats, leading to decrease cardiovascular disease risk in obesity.
Keywords: insulin resistance; obesity; pumpkin extract.