DOES PUMPKIN AFFECT GLYCEMIC CONTROL IN DIABETIC PATIENT. CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE REVIEW

*Dr. Badi Alenazi, Dr. Asma Deeb, Amal Alrowaili, Abeer Alkhaldi and Muneerah alanazi

ABSTRACT

Pumpkin was reported to have hypoglycemic effect. It has been used in asia as traditional treatment for diabetes mellitus. Here we report 12 year old Saudi who is diagnosed as diabetes mellitus type 1. The pumpkin was fed once or twice daily. His blood HBA1C dropped from 10.8% to 8.5% within 2 months of onset of pumpkin introduction. Studies in our detailed literature review showed that pumpkin extract has positive effects on glycemic control and pancreatic β cells; however, most of the studies were done on animals and human study are needed in this field.

Keywords: Pumpkin, diabetes mellitus. Cucurbita ficifolia, Trigonelline.