Alleviation of Hypercholesterolemia Through Newly Developed Cookies Supplementedwithpumpkin (Cucurbita Pepo L.) Seeds and Walnuts (Juglans Regia L.) Among Arthrosclerosispatients.

NCT07737067 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: REC-UOL-/547/08/24
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 25
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study is being conducted at DHQ Hospital, Jhang, under the supervision of the University of Lahore. The purpose of the trial is to find out whether specially prepared cookies made with pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo L.) and walnuts (Juglans regia L.) can help improve cholesterol levels in patients with atherosclerosis. High cholesterol is one of the major causes of heart disease and stroke. Although medicines are commonly prescribed, adding natural foods with proven health benefits may help patients manage cholesterol in a safer and more affordable way. Pumpkin seeds contain healthy fats, antioxidants, and phytosterols, while walnuts provide omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and vitamins. Together, they may improve heart health by lowering harmful cholesterol (LDL) and increasing good cholesterol (HDL). In this study, patients will be divided into two groups: Treatment group: Will receive one 100 g cookie made with pumpkin seeds and walnuts every day, in addition to their usual care. Control group: Will receive usual care without the supplemented cookies. Blood samples will be taken at the start, at 3 weeks, and at 6 weeks to measure cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and HDL levels. Researchers will follow up with participants regularly to ensure safety and compliance. The study will help determine whether these cookies can be recommended as a natural, food-based approach to reducing cholesterol and preventing complications of heart disease.

Conditions

Hypercholesterolemia; Arthrosclerosis

Keywords

CVD; pumpkin seed,; walnuts; HDL and LDL

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in LDL Cholesterol

  Absolute change in serum LDL cholesterol (mg/dL) from baseline to week 6. Blood collected after overnight fast; analyzed by enzymatic methods in hospital lab.

  Baseline, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• hange in HDL Cholesterol

  Baseline, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Control Group - Standard Care

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group will receive only conventional medical treatment as prescribed by their physician for hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. No additional dietary supplementation (cookies) will be provided. This group serves as the control for comparison with the intervention group.

Other: Standard Care (Control)

Intervention Group - Pumpkin Seed and Walnut Cookies

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive conventional medical treatment as prescribed by their physician along with dietary supplementation of 100 g pumpkin seed and walnut cookies once daily for 6 weeks. The cookies are prepared with whole wheat flour, roasted pumpkin seeds, roasted walnuts, sugar, butter, milk, and baking powder in standardized proportions. Blood lipid profile (HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and cholesterol) will be assessed at baseline, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks.

Dietary Supplement: Pumpkin Seed and Walnut Cookies

Interventions

Pumpkin Seed and Walnut Cookies DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants in the intervention group will consume 100 g of cookies supplemented with pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo L.) and walnuts (Juglans regia L.) once daily for 6 weeks. The cookies are prepared with standardized ingredients including whole wheat flour, roasted pumpkin seeds, roasted walnuts, butter, sugar, milk, and baking powder. The supplementation is designed to provide a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber, phytosterols, vitamins, and minerals to support improvement in lipid profile and cardiovascular health.

Intervention Group - Pumpkin Seed and Walnut Cookies

Standard Care (Control) OTHER

Participants in the control group will receive conventional medical treatment for hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis as prescribed by their physician. No dietary supplementation will be provided.

Control Group - Standard Care

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 25 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Patients of both gender Patients with age 25-45 years will be included Having HDL value greater than \~60 mg/dL Having triglycerides value greater than150 mg/dL

You may not qualify if:

• Pregnant and lactating patients will be excluded. Cancer patient will be excluded

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kamran Hanif: lead
• University of Lahore: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

DHQ Jhung

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Hypercholesterolemia

Interventions

Standard of Care

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Hyperlipidemias; Dyslipidemias; Lipid Metabolism Disorders; Metabolic Diseases; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Quality Indicators, Health Care; Quality of Health Care; Health Services Administration; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation

Study Officials

• Kamran Hanif, Phd

  University of Lahore

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: this is an open level trial
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: assistant professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 25, 2026
• First Posted: July 30, 2026
• Study Start: September 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: October 6, 2025
• Study Completion: October 15, 2025
• Last Updated: July 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)