Hepatoprotective effect of Cucurbita maxima (macre squash) seed kernel against paracetamol toxicity in rats

Caballero Calampa J.B.; Flores Valle C.A.; Pajuelo Ríos O.G.; Cabrejos Silva G.Y.; Huamán-Gutiérrez O.G. · Nutricion Clinica y Dietetica Hospitalaria (2025) · DOI: 10.12873/452caballero

Resumen

Objectives: The present study aims to determine the hepatoprotective effect of Cucúrbita máxima seed kernel suspension in rats subjected to treatment with paracetamol. Materials and methods: analytical, experimental, cross-sectional and prospective type of study; 48 adult male Holtzman rats of 2 months of age, weighing 225 ± 24.7g were used. The seed kernels of Cucurbita maxima (pumpkin macre) were used, which was obtained by removing the episperm and cuticle that surrounds the endosperm of the seed, obtaining the pumpkin kernel, which was crushed in a mortar and suspended in distilled water. The rats were randomly distributed into six groups (n=8). They received the following treatments for ten days, via peroral route: groups I and II: physiological saline 10mL/kg; group III: silymarin 100mg/kg; group IV: 50mg/kg; group V: 300mg/kg and group VI: 800mg/kg of seed kernel suspension, Cucurbita maxima. On the sixth day of treatment, groups II to VI received paracetamol at 400mg/kg peroral, one hour apart from the previous treatment, until completing the ten days. Results: Cucurbita maxima seed kernel suspension exerted a hepatoprotective effect, as evidenced by enzymatic indicators (ALT and AST), albumin, total proteins and TBARS in liver; and histopathologically showed a restoration of paracetamol-induced lesions. Conclusions: Cucurbita maxima (zapallo macre) seed kernel exerts a hepatoprotective effect.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Universidad Peruana Los Andes