Scientists found a compound in pumpkin that has been found to promote the regeneration of damaged insulin-producing beta cells in diabetic rats,thereby improving the level of insulin in their blood.

Laboratory data showed that diabetic rats that had been fed pumpkin extract had only 5 percent less plasma insulin and 8 percent fewer insulin-positive cells than normal healthy rats,according to a research paper published this week in the US-based Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.

The researchers fed 12 diabetic rats and 12 normal rats either a normal diet or a diet supplemented with pumpkin extract for 30 days.

However,Xia,a professor at the College of Life Science,emphasized that further research was needed to evaluate the effects in human beings.

"But I tend to believe pumpkin extract could also promote regeneration of pancreatic beta cells in humans,"he told the newspaper."It is certain pumpkin can benefit diabetics by lowering blood sugar levels."