A Histological Evaluation of Pumpkin Oil Seeds Extract on Skin WoundsThat Induced by TCA in Albino Rats

Pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.) is a nutritionally rich plant whose seeds contain high levels ofbioactive compounds such as unsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols, sterols, and polyphenols. Theseconstituents contribute to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing potential, makingpumpkin seed oil (PSO) a promising candidate for dermatological applications. This study aimed toinvestigate the histopathological effects of pumpkin seed oil on trichloroacetic acid induced skininjuries in male Albino rats. A total of 49 rats were randomly assigned into seven groups, includinga negative control, a positive control, a corn oil vehicle control, and three PSO treatment groupsreceiving 25%, 50%, 100% concentrations of the oil and Mebo Group treated topically with Meboointment. Dermatitis was chemically induced using 40% trichloroacetic acid to simulate the clinicaland histological features of atopic dermatitis. Topical applications were administered daily, and tissuesamples were examined histologically using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson's trichromestaining to assess epidermal integrity, inflammatory infiltration, necrosis, and adnexal structurepreservation for a period of 30 days. demonstrated a dose-dependent therapeutic effect of PSO, withthe 100% PSO group showing near-complete restoration of normal skin architecture, including intactepidermis, reduced inflammation, and preserved sweat and sebaceous glands. In contrast, the positivecontrol and corn oil groups exhibited severe tissue damage and inflammatory infiltration. The 25%and 50% PSO groups showed partial recovery with variable histological improvements. Thesefindings highlight the regenerative and anti-inflammatory potential of PSO, particularly at higherconcentrations, and support its use as a natural topical agent for managing inflammatory skinconditions.