Protective Effect of Pumpkin Seed Oil Extract Against Hepatorenal Toxicity of Thioacetamide in Male Rats

Al Malki, Abubaker; Elnaggar, Moustafa; Zari, Talal

doi:10.21608/eajbsz.2025.409801

Protective Effect of Pumpkin Seed Oil Extract Against Hepatorenal Toxicity of Thioacetamide in Male Rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

² Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.

10.21608/eajbsz.2025.409801

Abstract

ABSTRACT
With the increasing prevalence of thioacetamide (TAA)-induced toxicity affecting human hepatorenal organs, exploring alternative therapeutic drugs with antioxidant properties is essential for safeguarding human health. This study examined the protective effect of Pumpkin seed oil (PSO, Cucurbita pepo) supplementation against TAA-induced toxicity on the liver, kidney, lipid profile, and oxidative stress in male rats. Forty adult male rats were divided into 4 groups as following: Group I served as (the control group); Group II (TAA-exposed group); Group III (TAA-exposed group treated with PSO); Group IV (PSO-treated). Biochemical analysis, including glucose (GLU), albumin (ALB), total protein (TP), total bilirubin (TBIL), cholesterol (CHOL), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), creatinine (CR) levels were measured. Enzyme activities, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactase dehydrogenase (LDH) enzyme activities, alongside histopathological examination. Rats treated with TAA exhibited increased levels of GLU, ALT, AST, TBIL, TP, ALP, LDH, CHOL, TG, LDL-c, BUN, UA, and CR accompanied by decreased in ALB and HDL-c. Additionally, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, including GSH and SOD showed a marked reduction in TAA-treated groups. PSO supplementation nearly normalized liver, kidney biomarkers, and lipid profile, with an elevation in antioxidant levels compared to the control group. Histopathological examinations revealed that TAA caused extensive liver injury, and renal impairment. PSO supplementation mitigated the alterations in the liver and kidney functions, lipids profiles, and antioxidant levels associated with TAA-induced hepatorenal toxicity.

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