Potential therapeutic effects of pomegranate peel on carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury in rat

Abstract EN

Potential therapeutic effects of pomegranate peel on carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury in rat Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.

) peel, a by-product of juice processing industries was reported to contain a series of bioactive compounds.

This study was undertaken to investigate the putative antioxidant activity of the dried pomegranate peel and their extract clinically in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced liver damage in male rats was used.

Intraperitoneal administration of CCl₄ (2 ml/kg) to rats for 4 days resulted in significantly elevated (p≤0.05) serum levels of liver enzymes compared to controls.

In consequence, significant elevation (p≤0.05) of malondialdehyde (MDA) and a lowered level of reduced glutathione (GSH) were observed.

When rats with CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity were treated with the dried grape leaves and their water extract, the serum GOT, GPT and ALP levels reverted to near normal.

Concurrently, the hepatic concentration of GSH was significantly increased (p≤0.05) and that of MDA significantly (p≤0.05) lowered when compared to CCl₄ exposed untreated rats.

Histopathological studies confirmed the hepatoprotective effect profounded by the extracts.

These results suggest that pomegranate peel extract is able to significantly alleviate the hepatotoxicity induced by CCl₄ and can protect liver against some pathological diseases.