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# Pumpkin seed extract fights prostate cnacer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/prostate_cnacer_breast_cancer_colorectal_cancer_1203161253/
- Published: 2016-12-03T13:52:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T15:47:34.000Z
- Description: An ethanolic extract of Styrian pumpkin seeds inhibited the growth of prostate, breast and colorectal cancer cells by 40 to 50% in the laboratory, without estrogenic activity or effect on hormone receptors. The authors say the efficacy still needs confirming.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Food, Nutrition, #vivvo-import

Ethanolic extracts of pumpkin seeds may help fight a number of cancers including prostate cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer, which may or may not be influenced by hormones.

The study shows that the ethanolic extract of pumpkin seeds prepared from the Styrian pumpkin, Cucurbita pepo L. subsp. pepo var. styriaca can inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells, breast cancer cells and colorectal cancer cells by 40 to 50%.

Better yet, the pumpkin seed extract does not seem to have an impact on the hormone receptors or does not have an estrogenic activity. This means that the extract is safe to use and does not cause side effects commonly associated with a hormone therapy.

The study concludes that the pumpkin seed extract may be used to treat prostate cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer regardless of the hormone status of these malignancies.

Further research needs to be conducted to confirm its efficacy against prostate cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer. (David Liu)

[](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0367326X16300533?ref=foodconsumer.org)

[*Svjetlana Medjakovic, Stefanie Hobiger, Karin Ardjomand-Woelkart , Franz Bucar, Alois Jungbauer, , Pumpkin seed extract: Cell growth inhibition of hyperplastic and cancer cells, independent of steroid hormone receptors, Fitoterapia, Volume 110, April 2016, Pages 150–156*](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0367326X16300533?ref=foodconsumer.org)