Phytosterols and squalene as hypocholesterolemic substances in five varieties of Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita moschata (pumpkin) seeds

Revista Cubana de Plantas Medicinales

Córdova López, Jesús³  Martínez Aguilar, Yordan²  Martínez Yero, Orlando⁴  Estarrón Espinosa, Mirna¹  Valdivié Navarro, Manuel³ 

[1]Centro de Investigación y Asistencia Tecnológica y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco, Jalisco, México

[2]Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Granma, Cuba

[3]Instituto de Ciencia Animal, Mayabeque, Cuba

[4]Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Jalisco, México

关键词: semilla de calabaza;    variedades;    fitoesteroles;    escualeno;    hipocolesterolemia;    Cucurbita maxima;    Cucurbita moschata;   

DOI  :  

学科分类：药理学

来源: Editorial Ciencias Medicas

【 摘 要 】

Introduction: the pumpkin seed has been studied and used in the treatment of parasitic diseases, benign prostatic hypertrophy, cystitis and as hypoglycemic substance. However, the research concerning the use of pumpkin seeds and especially the sterols and squalene as hypocholesterolemic elements in humans is unknown. Objective: to determine the phytosterol and squalene content of five varieties of pumpkin seeds for their potential use as hypocholesterolemic compounds in humans. Methods: the pumpkin seeds from two species called Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita moschata from Cuba and Mexico were studied. The varieties were Fifi, Marucha, INIVIT C-88 (Cuban), Tapatía and Chata (Mexican) for which the profile of phytosterols (beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and stigmastenol) and the squalene were determined using gas-liquid chromatography. Results: the content of ethereal extract and real fat in the seeds ranged 331.5 to 346, and 307 to 336 g/kg, respectively. The variety Fifi (C. moschata) had the highest content of unsaponifiable material (35.0 g/kg) and showed significant differences (p< 0.001) compared with other varieties and above that of conventional oilseeds. The squalene, and beta-sitosterol concentration was higher Marucha (Cucurbita moschata) (40.27 and 202.59 mg/100 g), indicating significant differences (p< 0.001) compared with other varieties. Marucha and Chata varieties exhibited the highest campesterol content (50.08 and 49.31 mg/100 g, respectively), and the Marucha evidenced the largest concentration of stigmasterol and stigmastenol (1.75 and 28.63 mg/100 g); additionally, the amounts contained were above those of the common vegetable food in the diet. Conclusions: the results in phytosterol and squalene concentrations achieved in the studied varieties suggested that the pumpkin seeds be studied as a possible hypocholesterolemic substance for humans.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC