Pumpkin Seed Fixed Oil Granulate (Cucurbita sp.): A Multi-Target Phytotherapeutic Approach to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Inflammatory Modulation in Wistar Rats

Abstract Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is characterized by the progressive growth of prostate cells. Pumpkin seeds ( Cucurbita sp. ) are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, phytosterols, and phenolic compounds, exhibiting significant anti-inflammatory and antitumor potential. The present study developed a granulate containing Cucurbita sp. seed fixed oil (GOFSC) and evaluated its anti-inflammatory activity and effects on BPH in Wistar rats. Phytochemical analysis identified linoleic acid (44.95%) and oleic acid (32.17%) as the major components, accounting for approximately 77% of the composition. The optimized granulate formulation demonstrated satisfactory flow properties (compressibility index of 13.73% and Hausner ratio of 1.15) and adequate physicochemical stability. In anti-inflammatory activity assays, GOFSC significantly reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema (p < 0.001), with results comparable to indomethacin, and decreased the weight of granulomatous tissue (p < 0.001) in the cotton pellet granuloma test. In the testosterone propionate-induced BPH model, GOFSC reduced prostate volume, decreased PSA levels (p < 0.05), and promoted histopathological changes consistent with regression of hyperplasia, including reduced epithelial thickness, decreased inflammatory infiltrate, and preservation of glandular architecture. Testosterone levels remained normal without endocrine impairment. Hepatic and renal markers stayed within normal limits, confirming the product's safety. The reduction in seminal vesicle weight in the treated groups was the only expected finding, consistent with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) inhibition. This study reinforces the therapeutic potential of Cucurbita sp. seed oil in innovative solid pharmaceutical formulations for the multi-target management of BPH.