Abstract Pumpkin is a leafy green vegetable; it belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. Pumpkin seed
oil supplementation can prevent changes in plasma lipids and blood pressure. The present study was
conducted to evaluate the protective effect of pumpkin seed oil against cytotoxicity and genotoxicity
of azathioprine. Oral administration of pumpkin seed oil either before or after treatment of azathioprine
was effective in the reduction of the frequencies of Mn-PCEs, decreased the DNA
fragmentation, total sperm abnormalities and significantly increased sperm count, percentage of
PCEs, and enhanced the ratio of PCEs to NCEs. However, random amplified polymorphism of
DNA (RAPD) showed distinct differences in animal groups intoxicated with azathioprine before
and after pumpkin seed oil treatment, which reflected a DNA protective effect of pumpkin seed
oil. Depletion of glutathione content in the testis was also observed in azathioprine treated mice,
which was improved by an oral administration of pumpkin seed oil either before or after treatment
with azathioprine.