Work

Pumpkin seed protein hydrolysate as a nutraceutical intervention against high-fat diet and Streptozotocin-induced Diabetes in Wistar albino Rats

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a multifactorial metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation, highlighting the need for safe and effective nutraceutical interventions. This study evaluated the antidiabetic effects of pumpkin seed protein hydrolysate (PSPH), an underexplored plant-derived bioactive ingredient, in a high-fat diet- and streptozotocin-induced Wistar rat model of T2DM. Diabetic rats were orally administered PSPH at three dose levels for 28 days, with pioglitazone serving as the reference treatment. PSPH significantly improved glycemic control, body weight, serum lipid profile, and hepatic function while enhancing endogenous antioxidant defenses through increased catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione levels and reduced lipid peroxidation. PSPH further attenuated systemic inflammation by suppressing TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 and preserved pancreatic and hepatic histoarchitecture. PSPH treatment was also associated with increased pancreatic PPAR-γ and GLUT2 expression, indicating preliminary molecular associations with altered glucose homeostasis. Collectively, these findings suggest that PSPH may mitigate diabetes-associated metabolic dysfunction, with improvements observed in oxidative status, inflammatory responses, and glucose homeostasis. The observed changes in PPAR-γ and GLUT2 should be considered preliminary molecular associations and warrant further investigation using direct functional and insulin-signaling assessments. These findings support the potential of PSPH as a promising functional food ingredient candidate for the dietary management of T2DM.

Source: Food Hydrocolloids for Health

DOI: 10.1016/j.fhfh.2026.100306

Authors: Mehvish Habib, Sakshi Singh, Wasim Akram, Kulsum Jan, Khalid Bashir

Institution: Jamia Hamdard

Language: English

Topic: Natural Antidiabetic Agents Studies

Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,300