Evaluation of phytochemicals, antioxidant and burn wound healing activities of Cucurbita moschata Duchesne fruit peel

Abstract

Objectives: Cucurbita moschata Duchesne (pumpkin) is a well-known plant with several pharmacological effects. The aim of the present study was to assess burn wound healing activity of C. moschata peel extract (CE). Also, standardized CE was assessed for antioxidant activity and antibacterial effects against major pathogens of burns.

Materials and methods: Healing properties of topical preparation of 10% and 20% concentrations of CE were assessed on second degree burn in rats during a 14-day period as well as histological studies, total antioxidant power, lipid peroxidation and total thiol content of skin tissue samples.

Results: Radical scavenging IC₅₀ and ferric-reducing antioxidant power value were 4.015±0.20 mg/ml and 142.63±2.65 mmol Fe²⁺/g, respectively. Total mucilage content was 13.8%. The optimal results were obtained by 20% CE that showed 90.80±5.86 % wound closure and tissue repair as well as significant reduction of tissue oxidative stress biomarkers. Histological analyses confirmed wound healing activity of pumpkin peel extract.

Conclusion: Considering the high mucilage content of the plant, providing a moist environment for wound, C. moschata peel extract could be a natural remedy for treatment of burns. Further clinical studies are suggested to confirm C. moschata peel extract as a wound healing agent.

Keywords: Cucurbita moschata; Histology; Pumpkin; Traditional persian medicine; Wound healing.

Figure 1

Effect of treatments on lipid peroxidation in skin tissue samples of the day 14 LPO: lipid peroxidation, C-: negative control, C+: positive control, CE: Cucurbita moschata extract. *: P< 0.05, **: P<0.01, ***:P< 0.001

Figure 2

Effect of treatments on total antioxidant power of skin tissue samples of the day 14 TAP: total antioxidant power, C-: negative control, C+: positive control, CE: Cucurbita moschata extract. *: P<0.05, **: P<0.01, ***:P< 0.001

Figure 3

Effect of treatments on total thiol content of skin tissue samples of the day 14 TTM: total thiol molecules. C-: negative control, C+: positive control, CE: Cucurbita moschata extract. *: P< 0.05, **: P<0.01, ***:P< 0.001

Figure 4

Microscopic images of skin tissue samples of the day 14 with magnification of ×400 A: Re-epithelialization was not observed in the wound center and PMNs are visible in burn wound area. B: Basal layers of epithelium are formed in wound margins, fibroblasts and irregular deposition of collagen bundles are visible. C, D: New epithelium is not formed in the wound center and the there is an irregular arrangement of collagen bundles. E, F: absence of PMN is visible and there is well- organized arrangement of collagen fibers. Formation of epidermis and dermis almost reached the normal level but stratum keratinosum is not regenerated. Cell proliferation in the basal layer of epithelium could be seen. A: negative control, B: positive control, C and D: CE10%, E and F: CE20%. CE: Cucurbita moschata extract, PMN: polymorphonuclear