Anti-Ulcerogenic Activity of the Pomegranate Peel (Punica granatum) Methanol Extract

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) belongs to genera Punica and family Punicaceae. It is a herbal preparation that has been suggested as useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. However, to our knowledge, no study has been conducted to evaluate this therapeutic property. In the present study the antiulcerogenic effects of pomegranate peel methanol extract, was tested on male Wistar albino rats. Oral pretreatment with peel extracts (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) for 15 days protected the gastric mucosa against the damage induced by indomethacin (50 mg/kg). The incidence of ulceration in the control group was 100%. The best results were found in a dosage of 50 mg/kg in sour summer cultivar which inhibited the peptic ulcerin comparison with indomethacin induced gastric ulcer group. Lowest ulcer index (5.4 ± 0.55), an apparent decrease in the infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and hemorrhage were observed after administration of sour summer extracts (50 mg/kg). In conclusion present study showed that pomegranate peel extract, especially sour summer, has curative potential as an antiulcer, possibly via its high antioxidant activity. These results from pomegranate peel extract can provide an extra income and may contribute about good nutritional values of this product.