Ethanol Extract Activity of Yellow Pumpkin Flesh (Cucurbita Moschata Duch) on the Cataract Formation

Abstract

—Objectives Oxidative stress is suspected as a major factor triggering cataracts. Yellow pumpkin contains beta-carotene compounds can reducing oxidative stress, and it is suspected to be able to reduce the occurrence of cataracts. This study aims at determining and proving the benefits of yellow pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch) as a deterrent in cataract formation in male albino rats (Wistar strain) induced by Sodium Selenite. Macroscopic and microscopic features of cataract formation on negative controls included in mature cataracts (stadium 3), at the dose I and dose III including incipient cataracts (stadium 2) and dose II including immature cataracts (stadium 1). The average parameter diameter of the lens (μm) of group dose II (1738 ± 583) and dose III (1825 ± 106) experiences a widening of the lens diameter compared to the negative control (1492 ± 52). Whereas, at the dose I (1392 ± 38), there was a narrowing compared to the negative control. The parameters of lens epithelial cell thickness (μm) at dose I (15 ± 3.46), dose II (15.67 ± 5.03), and dose III (9.67 ± 4.62) of ethanol extract of yellow pumpkin showed an increase in thickness lens epithelial cells of mouse compared to negative controls (7 ± 1). The ethanol extract of the flesh of yellow pumpkin showed the improvement of eye health of albino rats (Wistar strain) experienced cataract, although it has not been able to improve it on the whole.