Protective Effect of Punica granatum Peel Extract Against Pentachlorophenol-Induced Oxidative Stress, Cytogenetic Toxicity and Hepatic Damage in Rats

Pomegranate is an edible fruit rich source of polyphenolic compounds, which have the antioxidant activity. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Punica granatum extract against pentachlorophenol-induced oxidative stress, cytogenetic and hepatic injury in rats. Male rats were divided into six groups, group I control, group II and III received low and high doses of P. granatum (200 & 400 mg/kg/day). Group IV received PCP; group V and VI received low and high doses of P. granatum then PCP for 30 days. The level of MDA was significantly elevated in PCP group, pre-treatment with extract caused reduction in the malondialdehyde (MDA) and brought them near to normal. Cytogenetic analyses results of pentachlorophenol (PCP) treated group recorded significant increase in the frequencies of total structural chromosomal aberrations, chromosomal deletions and centric fusions in somatic and germinal animal cells. Pretreated with the extract and PCP in a dose-dependent manner was showed significant decrease in different types of chromosomal aberrations. The histological examination of liver sections treated with PCP showed vacuolization, degeneration of the cytoplasm, necrosis, fatty degeneration and interstitial fibrosis which were ameliorative by extract. Also PCP treatment showed decreased in the DNA content, with increase in activation of caspase-3 and pretreatment with P. granatum extract showed increased in the DNA content and caspase-3. It could be concluded that P. granatum peels extract protect against PCPinduced oxidative stress, cytogenetic toxicity and hepatic injury.