An evaluation of the local pumpkin seed (Cucurbita maxima) as an anthelmintic agent

Abstract

A literature review was .carried out on the use of the pumpkin seed as an anthelmintic agent. Investigations were later made to evaluate such claims. For this purpose faecal specimens from 135 dogs in Malta were examined for cestodes. Three coprological methods were used to aid in the identification process: direct method, concentration technique and flotation method. Twenty-four dogs tested positive. Out of this number twenty-one dogs naturally infected with cestodes, were assigned to three groups: nonmedicated control groups (n=7), medicated dogs given a pumpkin seed Cucurbita maxima mixture (n=7) and medicated dogs given a standardised anthelmintic preparation, Vermox (R) (n=7). Medication was given orally in a suspension formulation. Faeces were examined prior to and after treatment for passed segments. In the nonmedicated control group, segments were still detected after day 14. In the second group of dogs, the segment count first increased reaching a peak on the second day after treatment and then markedly decreased until no segments were found by the sixth day after treatment. As the pumpkin seed preparation was not accepted by all dogs in this group (n=3), these had to be excluded from the study. When the standardised preparation was administered no segments were seen after the fourth day after treatment. (n=6). The latter preparation was well accepted by all dogs without any side-effects. Future studies should be carried out to determine the anthelmintic constituents of the plant Cucurbita maxima, thus enabling dose titration studies to be performed. Moreover the possible models of action of the plant still need to be elucidated.