Biochemical and histopathological study on preventive effects of Punica granatum L. extract on fatty liver disease in the rats receiving high fat diet.

Background and Aim: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is recognized as a metabolic liver disease in the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the preventive effects of Punica granatum extract on fatty liver disease in the rats receiving high fat diet. Material and Methods: In this study rats were divided into 6 groups: healthy control, feeding with high fat diet, feeding with high fat diet plus clofibrate and feeding with high fat diet plus Punica granatum extract with different doses for 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment biochemical indices including LDL, HDL, triglyceride and cholesterol, hepatic enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP) and concentrations of GPX, SOD, and CAT antioxidants in serum were measured. After histopathologic examinations and grading of fatty liver the groups were compared with one another. Results: High-fat diet group showed statistically significant increase in hepatic enzymes, cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL compared to other groups. Whereas high dose extract and clofibrate groups showed statistically significant increase in HDL and antioxidant activity compared to other groups. The results of histopathological examination showed fatty liver changes of grade 4 in the high-fat diet, grade 1 in the extract and grade zero in the clofibrate groups.  Conclusion: The results of this study showed the preventive effect of Kurdistan native Punica on fatty liver disease which is related to its antioxidant properties. Key words: Punica extract, Fatty liver, Hepatic enzyme, Antioxidant, Biochemical studies.   Received: Jan 16, 2018     Accepted: May 22, 2018