Pumpkin

Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.): A Comprehensive Reference on Botanical Identity, Traditional Use, Active Constituents, and Clinical Evidence

1. Identity, Botanical Classification, and Common Forms

1.1 Botanical and Chemical Identity

Pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo) are increasingly recognized as a functional food due to their rich composition of proteins, healthy lipids, dietary fiber, and essential micronutrients. The genus Cucurbita belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae, which comprises about 130 species growing both in the wild and cultivated around the world, with approximately 20 species belonging to the pumpkin genus itself. The most commonly cultivated pumpkin species are Cucurbita maxima, C. pepo L., C. moschata Duchesne ex Poir., C. ficifolia, and C. argyrosperma.

C. pepo pumpkins are among the oldest known domesticated plants, with evidence of their cultivation dating to between 7000 BCE and 5500 BCE in Mesoamerica. Wild species and the earliest domesticated species are native to North America — specifically parts of present-day northeastern Mexico and the southern United States — but cultivars are now grown globally.

Pumpkin seeds, scientifically known as pepitas, are small, green seeds encased in a white hull. They are harvested from the fruit of the pumpkin plant (Cucurbita pepo) and have long been valued for their dense nutritional content and potential health benefits. Seeds may be encased in a yellow-white husk (hulled or husked seeds), although some pumpkins produce seeds without shells (hull-less or naked seeds) which have only a very thin dark-green skin.

1.2 Synonyms and Taxonomic Notes

The botanical name is Cucurbita pepo, with the synonym Cucurbita mammeata Molina; it belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. The species designation pepo refers to the characteristic berry-type fruit structure. Within the supplement and herbal medicine literature, the seed may also appear under the Latin designations Cucurbitae Peponis Semen (pumpkin seed) and the extracted oil is commercially designated as pumpkin seed oil (PSO).

1.3 Common Forms and Preparations

All anatomical parts of the plant are edible, but seeds and pulp are particularly important for food processing and nutrition. In the food industry, pumpkin pulp is mostly used for the production of purées, dishes, and juices. Candied pumpkin pulp, dried snacks, frozen products, jams, and marinades are also prepared from pumpkin pulp. More recently, the use of pumpkin pulp as a natural pigment in the form of powder added to confectionery, bakery, pasta, and dairy products has become a trend in processing.

Pumpkin seed oil, a local specialty produced mainly in southeastern Austria, is extracted by physical means from the seeds of a variety of Cucurbita pepo that do not fully develop seed coats. Pumpkin seed oil and extract are also commercially available in capsules, drops, and gummies, as well as in a cooking oil form. Additional pharmaceutical and nutraceutical preparations include standardized dry extracts (defatted, water-soluble), and soft-gel capsules containing either crude cold-pressed oil or proprietary standardized oil fractions.

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2. Traditional and Historical Use

2.1 Mesoamerica and Indigenous North America

The earliest known record of human domestication and consumption of pumpkins comes from Mexico, where remnants of seeds and squashes have been found in the Oaxaca valley and Tamaulipas dwellings — perhaps dating as far back as 8750 BCE and 7000 BCE, respectively. Pumpkin was grown alongside corn and beans and is one of the mythological "Three Sisters" of American Indian agriculture.

Pumpkins have been used as folk medicine by Native Americans to treat intestinal worms and urinary ailments, and this Native American remedy was adopted by American doctors in the early nineteenth century as an anthelmintic for the expulsion of worms. The Aztecs made a medicine out of pumpkin seeds in combination with onions and wormseed (Chenopodium ambrosioides) for roundworms and tapeworms, and made a medicine for bladder and kidney diseases out of the pulp. The Catawba chewed the seeds for kidney problems; the Cherokee and Menominee used them as a diuretic and to cleanse the urine for bedwetting, dropsy, burning sensations while urinating, and cramps in the urinary organs.

Pumpkins were easy to cultivate and, with the thick shell and solid flesh, could be dried and preserved — making them indispensable for helping Native Americans survive long, harsh winters. They provided sustenance whether they were roasted, boiled, parched, or baked. Seeds were eaten and used as medicine. Dried pumpkin was also ground into flour, or flattened and woven into mats.

2.2 European Folk Medicine

Galen, Hippocrates, Pliny, and Dioscorides used pumpkin seeds in the form of compresses against swelling. Later, pumpkin was used for the management of nephritis, tuberculosis, and internal worms and parasites. In Germany and southeastern Europe, seeds of C. pepo were used as folk remedies to treat irritable bladder and benign prostatic hyperplasia. European folk medicine similarly used pumpkin as a diet food for stomach troubles and kidney/bladder ailments, and fresh pumpkin pulp was applied to furuncles, abscesses, varicose veins, and cankerous sores.

2.3 Traditional Chinese Medicine and Asia

In China, C. moschata seeds were used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of the parasitic disease schistosomiasis and for the expulsion of tapeworms. In many countries, pumpkin is used as a medicine for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and antidiabetic properties, particularly in Austria, Hungary, Mexico, Slovenia, China, Spain, and various European, Asian, and African countries.

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3. Key Constituents and Active Compounds

3.1 Macronutrients and General Nutritional Profile

Pumpkin seeds provide high-quality proteins, unsaturated fatty acids, and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, iron, and potassium, supporting cardiovascular health, immune function, and gastrointestinal well-being. The elements zinc, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium, and selenium found in pumpkin seeds make them a nutritional powerhouse.

3.2 Fatty Acid Profile

Linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, ECN-44, ECN-46, tocopherols, β-sitosterol, and delta-7-sterols constitute a large quantity of pumpkin seed oil. All varieties are valuable sources of fatty acids, with more than 40% oleic acid, 33.1% linoleic acid, and 14.7% palmitic acid. Total unsaturated fatty acid (TUFA) content ranges from 73.1% to 80.5% across different cultivars from around the globe.

3.3 Phytosterols — The Signature Δ7-Sterol Profile

One of the most chemically distinctive features of pumpkin seed oil is its unusual phytosterol composition. Δ7-avenasterol is the predominant phytosterol, accounting for 29.5% to 42.3% of the total sterol fraction. Lipid extracts exhibit appreciable concentrations of other Δ7-sterols, including spinasterol, Δ7,22,25-stigmastatrienol, Δ7,25-stigmastadienol, and Δ7-stigmastenol. Cumulatively, the Δ7-sterols represent between 87.8% and 95.4% of the sterol fraction.

Δ7-phytosterols in the total phytosterol fraction of hull-less pumpkin seed oil reach up to 87.64%, with 24β-ethylcholesta-7,22,25-trienol, 24β-ethylcholesta-7,25(27)-dien-3-ol, and Δ7-avenasterol confirmed by NMR. In pumpkin seed kernels, the major phytosterol is α-spinasterol (57.7%), which is distinct from most other nuts and seeds where β-sitosterol predominates.

3.4 Tocopherols (Vitamin E)

Pumpkin seeds are rich in antioxidants, including vitamin E and carotenoids, which protect cells from oxidative damage and inflammation, supporting overall health and disease prevention. Oils recovered from pumpkin seed varieties are abundant in phytosterols, squalene, and tocopherols.

3.5 Carotenoids

Bioactive compounds in pumpkin include carotenoids, polyphenols, flavonoids, tocopherols, minerals, vitamin C, B1, and folates, with significant variation across cultivars of Cucurbita pepo and C. moschata. Pumpkin is well-known around the world and is appreciated due to its high content of carotenoids.

3.6 Cucurbitacins

Another significant bioactive component is cucurbitacin, a type of triterpenoid that has been studied for its potential anti-cancer properties. More recently, a huge interest in cucurbitacins has been stated, given their renowned biological attributes.

3.7 Lignans, Phytoestrogens, and Tryptophan

Pumpkin seeds contain phytosterols, antioxidants (vitamin E, carotenoids), cucurbitacins, lignans, and tryptophan, which have been associated with cholesterol reduction, oxidative stress mitigation, anti-inflammatory effects, hormonal regulation, and neurochemical benefits in preclinical studies. Pumpkin seeds are a major source of phytoestrogens such as lignans and isoflavones. Phytoestrogens tend to bind with estrogen receptors (ER) in the female body.

3.8 Proteins and Amino Acids

The fruit of pumpkin including the flesh, seed, and peel are a rich source of primary and secondary metabolites, including proteins, carbohydrates, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, tocopherols, tryptophan, delta-7-sterols, and many other phytochemicals.

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4. Mechanisms of Action

4.1 5α-Reductase Inhibition

Pumpkin seed oil (PSO) has been shown to block the action of 5-alpha reductase and to have antiandrogenic effects in rats. Total phytosterol (TPS) treatment from pumpkin seed oil significantly ameliorated pathological prostate enlargement and restored histopathological alterations of the prostate in BPH rats, and it effectively suppressed the expressions of 5α-reductase (5AR), androgen receptor (AR), and coactivator SRC-1. This mechanism is proposed to underlie both the anti-BPH and anti-androgenetic alopecia effects observed in animal and human studies.

4.2 Antioxidant Activity

Multiple studies have demonstrated that the antioxidative properties of pumpkin seed extract could improve fertility and help in preventing arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, and heart diseases, as well as in stimulating the metabolism of accumulated fats. Carotenoids, tocopherols, and sterols found in pumpkin-derived products have a wide range of biological action, as demonstrated by in vivo studies.

4.3 Cholesterol-Lowering Mechanisms

Pumpkin seeds contain phytosterols, plant-derived compounds that help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Phytosterols contribute to lowering LDL cholesterol levels, while the seeds' strong antioxidant properties help reduce oxidative stress, lower blood pressure, and prevent arteriosclerosis.

4.4 Anti-Hyperglycemic Mechanisms

Studies by Bharti et al. have provided pharmacological evidence that the tocopherol fraction of raw seeds of Cucurbita pepo possesses an anti-hyperglycemic property, mediated via the interactions of its various components with multiple signaling targets that play crucial roles in diabetes mellitus.

4.5 Diuretic and Bladder Effects

The chemicals in pumpkin seed can increase urination, which might help relieve bladder and prostate discomfort, and some chemicals might also reduce swelling in the prostate. Hydroethanolic pumpkin seed extracts have shown promising activities on stress urinary incontinence, on urination frequency, and on nocturia in clinical trials.

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5. Scientific Evidence by Area of Use

5.1 Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS)

This is the area with the greatest accumulation of clinical evidence for pumpkin.

Preclinical evidence: In the preclinical setting, pumpkin seed showed antioxidant, antiandrogen, and anti-inflammatory activity and had a positive effect on bladder contractility and reduction of prostate gland growth, while not having any side effects.

Clinical trial — PSO vs. tamsulosin (2021): A single-blind randomized clinical trial included patients with BPH aged ≥ 50 years. Patients were randomized into two groups: one received 0.4 mg tamsulosin every night at bedtime, and the other received 360 mg pumpkin seed oil twice a day. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was completed by patients at baseline and then 1 month and 3 months after initiation of treatment.

Clinical trial — pumpkin seed extract for BPH (2022, 130 participants): One study from 2022 included 130 people assigned male at birth. This study showed that 500 milligrams of pumpkin seed extract twice a day reduced lower urinary tract symptoms from BPH and improved overall quality of life, yet it did not change the scores on a sexual health satisfaction questionnaire.

Randomized placebo-controlled trial — PSO and saw palmetto oil: BPH patients with an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of 8 or more participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of pumpkin seed oil and saw palmetto oil for a 12-month period. Maximal urinary flow rate was gradually improved in groups receiving individual oils, with statistical significance after 6 months (pumpkin seed oil group) and after 12 months (saw palmetto group). Serum prostate specific antigen was reduced only in the saw palmetto group after 3 months, but no difference was observed in prostate volume in any treatment group. From these results, it was suggested that administration of pumpkin seed oil and saw palmetto oil is clinically safe and may be effective as complementary and alternative medicine treatments for BPH.

Meta-analysis of two randomized, placebo-controlled 12-month trials: The safety and efficacy of a proprietary pumpkin seed soft extract (PSE) were investigated in two randomized placebo-controlled 12-month studies (Bach and GRANU study). Both trials studied LUTS/BPH patients with an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≥13 points at baseline.

Earlier large observational data: In previous reports, the effect of pumpkin seed oil from C. pepo was investigated in clinical trials involving over 2,000 men suffering from benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH), and the oil significantly improved their urinary dysfunction.

Evidence strength: Several studies performed in the preclinical and clinical setting showed that the use of Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin seeds) in the management of patients affected by LUTS/BPH seems to be useful for improving symptoms and quality of life. Overall, the evidence for BPH symptom relief is the most robust of any clinical application of pumpkin. Multiple small-to-moderate RCTs and a meta-analysis support benefit. However, most trials are of limited size, use variable preparations and doses, and do not consistently demonstrate effects on objective measures such as prostate volume.

5.2 Overactive Bladder (OAB)

Clinical trial — pumpkin seed oil for OAB (45 participants): Forty-five subjects were enrolled; an extract of pumpkin seed oil from C. maxima (10 g of oil/day) was orally administered for 12 weeks. After 6 and 12 weeks, urinary function was evaluated using the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS). Pumpkin seed oil from C. maxima significantly reduced the degree of OABSS in the subjects.

A couple of studies have shown that pumpkin seed oil can improve the symptoms of overactive bladder. In one study, 45 people with overactive bladder took 10 grams of pumpkin seed oil per day for 12 weeks, and their symptoms improved on a questionnaire.

The results suggest that pumpkin seed oil extracts from C. maxima as well as from C. pepo are effective for urinary disorders such as OAB in humans.

Evidence strength: The clinical evidence for OAB is preliminary. Studies are small, uncontrolled, or lack placebo control. Results are promising but require confirmation in larger, well-designed RCTs.

5.3 Androgenetic Alopecia (Hair Loss)

Pivotal RCT — PSO for androgenetic alopecia (76 men, 2014): This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was designed to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of PSO for treatment of hair growth in male patients with mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Seventy-six male patients with AGA received 400 mg of PSO per day or a placebo for 24 weeks. After 24 weeks, self-rated improvement scores and self-rated satisfaction scores in the PSO-treated group were higher than in the placebo group (P = 0.013 and P = 0.003, respectively). The PSO-treated group had more hair after treatment than at baseline compared to the placebo group (P < 0.001).

Men taking pumpkin seed oil experienced a 40% increase in hair count compared to just 10% in the placebo group. The treatment group also showed significant improvements in hair thickness.

Proposed mechanism: Researchers attributed these effects to the oil's ability to inhibit 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone to DHT.

Limitations: The study was relatively small (76 participants) and only 24 weeks long. It also used a proprietary blend of pumpkin seed oil, not pure PSO, which makes it harder to know the exact dose of active compounds each participant received.

Evidence strength: There is one well-designed RCT supporting PSO for male pattern hair loss. Evidence is promising but limited by the small sample size, short duration, and use of a proprietary blend. Replication in independent trials is needed.

5.4 Cardiovascular Health and Lipid Profile

Postmenopausal women — arterial hemodynamics (RCT): Postmenopausal women have a higher prevalence of hypertension than age-matched men. Evidence from animal studies had demonstrated the antihypertensive effects of PSO. One RCT examined the effects of PSO supplementation on vascular function and heart rate variability (HRV) in postmenopausal women with elevated blood pressure. Participants were randomly assigned to either a PSO group (n = 12) or a placebo group (n = 11). The PSO group consumed 3 g/day of PSO. Brachial and central BP, wave reflection (augmentation index), arterial stiffness, and HRV parameters were measured before and after 6 weeks. PSO improved arterial hemodynamics in postmenopausal women and might be effective in the prevention and treatment of hypertension in this population.

Cholesterol study (127 participants): One hundred and twenty-seven participants aged 39 to 63 years with one or multiple medical conditions including dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity were randomly selected and assigned to case and control groups. Both groups were biochemically, anthropometrically, and clinically assessed pre- and post-intervention. The case group was administered 1000 mg of PSO along with recommendations for healthy diet and lifestyle, while the control group received only lifestyle guidance. Results revealed PSO possessed hypolipidemic and anti-hypertensive activity, lowering diastolic blood pressure and LDL.

Animal evidence: Animal studies demonstrated that both refined and virgin pumpkin seed oils improved dyslipidemia, with decreased VLDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to a western-type diet, and additional cholesterol-lowering effects were associated with virgin over refined pumpkin seed oil. While refined oil did not affect plasma inflammatory markers, virgin oil reduced the circulating levels of serum amyloid A and soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1.

Evidence strength: Cardiovascular and lipid evidence in humans is limited and preliminary. The best human RCT involves a small sample (n=23) in postmenopausal women for 6 weeks. Larger, longer, and better-controlled trials are needed before conclusions can be drawn for the general population.

5.5 Blood Glucose and Diabetes

Several clinical studies have been conducted to understand the efficacy of pumpkin in treating and controlling type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). It has been reported that fasting blood glucose levels in people with diabetes may be reduced by consumption of juices of pumpkin fruits.

A significant number of studies on the antidiabetic and hypoglycemic potential of pumpkin seeds have been reported. Nevertheless, authors insist that more animal and clinical trials are needed to firmly establish molecular mechanisms of action, evaluate activities, and associated health benefits of pumpkin seeds in the prevention of diabetes in humans.

Evidence strength: The antidiabetic evidence is predominantly from in vitro and animal studies. Human clinical evidence is limited and heterogeneous. This area requires substantially more rigorous investigation.

5.6 Menopausal Symptoms and Bone Health

Previous studies have shown that pumpkin seed extract may exert antioxidant effects by reducing oxidative stress and anti-obesity effects by lowering lipid content and insulin resistance in obese rats, and may ameliorate menopausal symptoms related to blood pressure, uterine endometrial thickness, serum lipids, and bone density in ovariectomized rats. Findings in one study revealed that pumpkin seed extract enhances ALP activity in Saos-2 cells and mitigates ovariectomy-induced weight gain, oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and osteoporosis, mediated via its antioxidant properties.

Evidence strength: Because menopause and aging are complicated processes linked to several inter-related diseases, more in-depth mechanistic studies must be conducted to fully comprehend the benefits of pumpkin seed extract. The evidence base for menopausal applications is largely preclinical (cell and animal studies). Human clinical data are lacking.

5.7 Anthelmintic (Parasite Expulsion)

The anthelmintic use of pumpkin seeds is one of the oldest and most cross-culturally consistent traditional applications. Pumpkins have been used as folk medicine by Native Americans to treat intestinal worms, and this remedy was adopted by American doctors in the early nineteenth century as an anthelmintic for the expulsion of worms. The compound cucurbitin (3-amino-3-carboxypyrrolidine), found particularly in pumpkin seeds, is considered the primary active constituent for this use, though rigorous modern human clinical trials in this specific application are limited, and this area remains based primarily on traditional evidence and older pharmacological data.

5.8 Cancer (Preliminary)

Laboratory studies show that pumpkin seeds can stop the growth of breast and prostate cancer cells. They may also kill cancer cells by triggering apoptosis (cancer cell death). Researchers think that the anti-cancer activity of pumpkin seeds may be due to the high antioxidant levels in the seeds. More research is needed to see how pumpkin seeds work in people to stop cancer cells from growing or to kill cancer cells.

In vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated the inhibitory effects of pumpkin against prostate cancer. Cucurbitacin exhibits inhibitory effects on cancer cell proliferation.

Evidence strength: All currently available cancer-related evidence is from in vitro (cell culture) and animal models. There are no published human clinical trials demonstrating anti-cancer efficacy of pumpkin-derived preparations. This area is entirely preliminary.

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6. Body Systems and Health Areas of Association

• Urological System: BPH, lower urinary tract symptoms, overactive bladder, nocturia, urinary incontinence (best-supported clinical area)
• Cardiovascular System: Blood pressure regulation, lipid profile modulation, arterial hemodynamics, antioxidant protection against atherosclerosis
• Endocrine/Metabolic System: Blood glucose modulation, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia
• Integumentary System: Androgenetic alopecia (hair loss), wound healing (preclinical data)
• Reproductive System: Phytoestrogenic activity, menopausal symptom modulation, spermatogenesis support (preclinical)
• Gastrointestinal System: Traditional anthelmintic use; dietary fiber supporting gut microbiome
• Musculoskeletal System: Preliminary evidence for osteoporosis mitigation via antioxidant properties (preclinical only)
• Immune Function: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity; zinc content supporting immune competence

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7. Dosage Forms and Doses Reported in Studies

The following doses are reported as stated in the cited clinical studies and should not be interpreted as recommended doses:

• BPH (vs. tamsulosin RCT): 360 mg pumpkin seed oil twice daily (720 mg/day total).
• BPH (2022 trial, 130 participants): 500 mg pumpkin seed extract twice a day.
• Androgenetic alopecia (RCT): 400 mg PSO per day for 24 weeks.
• Overactive bladder (45 participants): 10 g of pumpkin seed oil per day for 12 weeks.
• Postmenopausal hypertension RCT: 3 g/day of PSO for 6 weeks.
• Cholesterol/blood pressure trial (127 participants): 1,000 mg PSO daily along with healthy diet and lifestyle recommendations.
• General supplement range: Doses in commercial preparations and trials vary widely, from approximately 100 mg to 2,000 mg.

When eaten as food, pumpkin is generally regarded as safe. It is possibly safe to take pumpkin seed or pumpkin seed oil in medicinal amounts.

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8. Safety Considerations and Notable Interactions

8.1 General Safety

When taken by mouth, pumpkin is likely safe when eaten in foods. It is possibly safe to take pumpkin seed or pumpkin seed oil in medicinal amounts. Side effects from pumpkin products are rare, but might include stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and nausea. It might also cause itching, rash, and allergic reactions in some people.

Even without medication interactions, consuming excessive amounts of pumpkin seed oil can lead to gastrointestinal issues, including stomach discomfort, nausea, and diarrhea. The high fiber content in pumpkin seeds themselves can also cause bloating and gas if intake is increased too quickly.

8.2 Allergic Reactions

Individuals with a known allergy to pumpkins or other squash and gourds should avoid pumpkin seed oil. Allergic reactions can range from mild skin irritation to severe, life-threatening anaphylaxis. A case study has been reported in the published literature documenting anaphylaxis in a child after consumption of pumpkin seeds.

8.3 Antihypertensive Drug Interaction

Studies, though sometimes limited to animal models, have provided evidence that pumpkin seed oil can potentiate the effects of certain antihypertensive drugs. This enhancement can lead to an excessive drop in blood pressure, a condition known as hypotension. ACE inhibitors such as captopril may have their blood pressure-lowering effects amplified when taken with pumpkin seed oil, and similar enhancement has been observed with calcium channel blockers such as felodipine.

8.4 Lithium Interaction

Taking pumpkin might decrease how quickly the body gets rid of lithium. The diuretic-like effect of pumpkin can decrease the rate at which the body eliminates lithium, which can lead to a buildup of the drug in the system and increase the risk of serious side effects and lithium toxicity. Anyone on lithium should speak with their doctor before using pumpkin seed oil.

8.5 Blood Glucose Medications

Due to its potential to lower blood glucose, pumpkin seed oil should not be mixed with diabetes medications without medical supervision to avoid hypoglycemia. The evidence for this interaction is primarily from animal studies and preliminary human data.

8.6 Diuretics and Electrolyte Considerations

Pumpkin seed has diuretic properties that can amplify the effects of diuretic medications and interfere with the body's ability to clear lithium, causing serious side effects. Combination with pumpkin seed oil and potassium-sparing diuretics such as spironolactone requires careful monitoring of potassium levels.

8.7 Pregnancy and Lactation

There is not enough reliable information to know if pumpkin is safe to use in medicinal amounts when pregnant or breastfeeding. It is prudent to stay with usual food amounts during these periods.

8.8 Topical Use

There is not enough reliable information to know if pumpkin seed oil is safe for topical skin application or what the side effects might be.

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References

• Phytochemical Composition, Health Benefits, Functional Properties, and Food Applications of Pumpkin Seeds – PMC (2025)
• The Profile of Secondary Metabolites and Other Bioactive Compounds in Cucurbita pepo L. and Cucurbita moschata Pumpkin Cultivars – PMC (2019)
• Nutritional Value, Phytochemical Potential, and Therapeutic Benefits of Pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.) – PMC (2022)
• Pumpkin Seed Oil: An Alternative Medicine – PMC / NIH (2021)
• Effect of Pumpkin Seed Oil on Hair Growth in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial – PMC (2014)
• Pumpkin Seed Oil Extracted from Cucurbita maxima Improves Urinary Disorder in Human Overactive Bladder – PMC (2014)
• Effects of Pumpkin Seed Oil and Saw Palmetto Oil in Korean Men with Symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia – PMC
• Prospective Multicenter Open-Label One-Arm Trial Investigating a Pumpkin Seed, Isoflavonoids, and Cranberry Mix in LUTS/BPH – PMC (2020)
• Pumpkin Seed Oil (Cucurbita pepo) versus Tamsulosin for BPH Symptom Relief: A Single-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial – PMC (2021)
• Beneficial Effects of Pumpkin Seed Soft Extract on LUTS and Quality of Life in Men with BPH: A Meta-Analysis – Clinical Phytoscience / Springer (2022)
• The Effects of Pumpkin Seed Oil Supplementation on Arterial Hemodynamics, Stiffness and Cardiac Autonomic Function in Postmenopausal Women – PubMed (2019)
• Evaluation of Antioxidant Effects of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) Seed Extract on Aging- and Menopause-Related Diseases – PMC (2024)
• Phytosterols in Hull-less Pumpkin Seed Oil, Rich in Δ7-Phytosterols, Ameliorate Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia – PMC (2022)
• Nutraceutical Prospects of Pumpkin Seeds: A Study on the Lipid Fraction Composition and Oxidative Stability Across Eleven Varieties – PMC (2025)
• The Effect of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) Seeds and L-Arginine Supplementation on Serum Lipid Concentrations in Atherogenic Rats – PMC (2013)
• A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial of a Product Containing Pumpkin Seed Extract and Soy Germ Extract to Improve Overactive Bladder – ScienceDirect (2014)
• The Potential of Pumpkin Seeds as a Functional Food Ingredient: A Review – ScienceDirect (2020)
• Pumpkin – Wikipedia (referenced for historical and ethnobotanical data cross-checked with primary sources)
• Pumpkin: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions – WebMD Natural Medicines
• Effect of Pumpkin Seed Oil on Cholesterol Fractions and Systolic/Diastolic Blood Pressure – SciELO Brazil
• Supplementation with Pumpkin Seed Oil Improves Plasma Lipid Profile and Cardiovascular Outcomes of Female Non-Ovariectomized and Ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley Rats – PubMed (2008)