Protective effect of Punica granatum peel extract against gastric mucosal erosions induced by ethanol in experimental rabbit models

Abstract EN

The present study was designed to detect the gastroprotective effect of ethanolic (96%) extract of Punica granatum peel, besides investigation of its activity as hepatoprotective and nephroprotective agent.

1 ml of 80% ethanol/rabbit was given as a single oral dose for induction of gastric erosions and hepato-renal changes in both induction (ethanol group) and treatment groups at the 16 th day of experiment (i.e.

following 15 days of daily treatment with pomegranate peel extract).These effects were assessed by examination of some biochemical tests including; blood glucose, triglycerides, renal function test (urea, creatinine), and liver function test (ALT, GGT), in addition to the evaluation of the histopathological changes of the stomach samples.

Animals pretreated with Punica granatum peel ethanolic extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg/day orally for 15 days showed significant reduction in blood glucose, urea, creatinine, ALT, and GGT where as blood TG was not affected in comparison with the ethanol group (P ≤ 0.05).On the other hand, microscopic examination of stomach samples of the treatment group revealed regenerated gastric ulcer and lesions, and the distorted superficial gland in the mucosa are regenerated when compared with those observed on the samples of the ethanol 80% group.In conclusion, the obtained data demonstrate that pomegranate peel ethanolic extract is a potent gastroprotective agent and suppresses ethanol 80%-induced gastric damage in rabbits.