Effects of Cucurbita pepo seed extract on behavioral and neuroinflammatory changes in D-galactose-induced brain model

Aging is associated with progressive neuronal dysfunction driven by oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Cucurbita pepo L. (pumpkin) is rich in bioactive compounds, including phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, tocopherols, and unsaturated fatty acids, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These characteristics suggest that C. pepo may have a neuroprotective role against age-related neuronal damage. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of ethanolic C. pepo seed extract in a D-galactose-induced brain aging model.

Healthy adult Wistar albino male rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 6 each): control, D-galactose-induced disease, C. pepo seed extract treated, and donepezil-treated groups. Behavioral assessments were performed using light/dark, open field, and sucrose intake tests. Neuroinflammatory markers comprising tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and PCR, followed by biochemical and histopathological analyses.

D-galactose administration significantly impaired behavioral performance, reducing the time spent in the light compartment, open field activities (grooming and rearing), and sucrose intake (p < 0.001). Treatment with C. pepo L. seed extract significantly improved these behavioral parameters (p < 0.01). The extract also markedly reduced the TNF-α levels (0.20 ± 0.04, p < 0.001) and IL-6 expression (0.09 ± 0.02, p < 0.001), indicating attenuation of aging-associated neuroinflammation.

In this study, pumpkin seed extract was associated with modulation of neuroinflammatory markers and improvements in behavioral changes in an experimental model of brain aging.