Preventive Effect of Citrullus Lanatus and Curcurbita Pepo Seeds Extract against Dutasteride in Testosterone-Induced BPH Rats: A Histopathological Evaluation

Authors

Bisma Fatima Aslam Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Azra Naheed Medical College, Lahore.
Saadia Shahzad Alam 2. Professor, Department of Pharmacology, PGMI Federal Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore.
Farooq Sultan Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Rai Medical College, Sargodha
Najma Naz Professor, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Azra Naheed Medical College, Lahore.
Saadia Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Continental Medical College, Lahore
Saadia Maqsood Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, PGMI Federal Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore.

DOI:

Abstract

Abstract
Objective: To investigate the protective effects of extracts from Watermelon (Citrullus Lanatus) and
Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) seeds against the histopathological changes caused by dutasteride in hyperplastic
rats.
Material and Methods: The research was conducted in an experimental laboratory at the Post Graduate
Medical Institute (PGMI), Lahore, and completed within 12 months (2018–2019) following authorization of
the research proposal. Histopathological analysis of the prostate was carried out at the histopathology
department of Post Graduate Medical Institute (PGMI), Lahore. Forty-two healthy adult male albino rats
were divided into six groups (seven rats per group). All groups, except the control group, received daily
subcutaneous testosterone injections (3 mg/kg) for 14 days to induce benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH),
followed by maintenance therapy from days 15 to 29. The groups included: 1) normal healthy control, 2)
disease control (DC), 3) testosterone +0.5 mg/kg dutasteride, 4) testosterone + 2 g/kg methanolic extract of
watermelon seeds (MECLS), 5) testosterone +5 g/kg petroleum ether extract of pumpkin seeds (PECPS), and
6) testosterone +1 g/kg MECLS +2.5 g/kg PECPS. At the end of the study, animals were sacrificed, and their
prostates were weighed and examined histopathologically.
Results: The preventive combination of 1 g/kg of methanolic extract of Watermelon seeds (MECLS) and 2.5
g/kg of petroleum ether extract of Pumpkin seeds (PECPS) restored prostate histopathology to levels similar
to those achieved with dutasteride.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that the synergistic effects of MECLS and PECPS could offer an
alternative or complementary approach for managing prostate health
Keywords: Benign prostatic hyperplasia, Dutasteride, Prophylactic, Histopathology
How to cite: Aslam BF, Alam SS, Sultan F, Naz N, Sadia, Maqsood S. Preventive Effect of Citrullus lanatus and
Curcurbita pepo Seeds Extract against Dutasteride in Testosterone-Induced BPH Rats: A Histopathological
Evaluation. Esculapio - JSIMS 2025;21(01): 9-14
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51273/esc25.2513212

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Published

2025-05-12

How to Cite

Bisma Fatima Aslam, Saadia Shahzad Alam, Farooq Sultan, Najma Naz, Saadia, Saadia Maqsood. Preventive Effect of Citrullus Lanatus and Curcurbita Pepo Seeds Extract against Dutasteride in Testosterone-Induced BPH Rats: A Histopathological Evaluation. Esculapio - JSIMS [Internet]. 2025 May 12 [cited 2025 May 13];21(1):9-14. Available from: https://esculapio.pk/journal/index.php/journal-files/article/view/1205