Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant potentials, subacute toxicity, and beneficiary effects of methanolic extract of pomelo (Citrus grandis L. Osbeck) in rats. Long Evans rats were divided into four groups of eight animals each. The rats were orally treated with three doses of pomelo (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg) once daily for 21 days. Pomelo extract contained high concentrations of polyphenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid while exhibiting high 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power values. There was no significant change in the body weight, percentage water content, and relative organ weight at any administered doses. In addition, no significant alterations in the hematological parameters were also observed. However, rats which received 1000 mg/kg dose had a significant reduction in some serum parameters, including alanine transaminase (15.29%), alkaline phosphatase (2.5%), lactate dehydrogenase (15.5%), γ-glutamyltransferase (20%), creatinine (14.47%), urea (18.50%), uric acid (27.14%), total cholesterol (5.78%), triglyceride (21.44%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (40.74%), glucose (2.48%), and all atherogenic indices including cardiac risk ratio (24.30%), Castelli's risk index-2 (45.71%), atherogenic coefficient (42%), and atherogenic index of plasma (25%) compared to control. In addition, the highest dose (1000 mg/kg) caused a significant increase in iron (12.07%) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (8.87%) levels. Histopathological findings of the vital organs did not indicate any pathological changes indicating that pomelo is nontoxic, safe, and serves as an important source of natural antioxidants. In addition, the fruit extract has the potential to ameliorate hepato- and nephrotoxicities and cardiovascular diseases as well as iron deficiency anemia.
Highlights
Free radicals generated in the body through complex biochemical reactions have been implicated as mediators of various chronic diseases including cancer, atherosclerosis, and heart diseases [1,2,3]
Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD), n=3, where GAEs=gallic acid equivalent, CEQs= catechin equivalents, and AEs= ascorbic acid equivalents
Our findings suggest that pomelo extract significantly increased iron levels and decreased total iron binding capacity (TIBC) when administered at the highest dose (1000 mg/kg) which further supports the potential application of pomelo for preventive effects against iron deficiency-related disorders
Summary
Free radicals generated in the body through complex biochemical reactions have been implicated as mediators of various chronic diseases including cancer, atherosclerosis, and heart diseases [1,2,3]. Free radicals can lead to oxidation of proteins, lipids or nucleic acid and initiate chronic or degenerative diseases. Antioxidants are bioactive reducing agents which trap free radicals and prevent the oxidation of other biomolecules, subsequently protecting the cell components by neutralizing the damaging effects of the free radicals [4, 5]. Antioxidants of plant origin, including polyphenols (phenolic acids and their esters), flavonoids, and ascorbic acids, are potential scavengers of free radicals (peroxide, hydroperoxide, or lipid peroxyl), inhibiting the oxidative processes which lead to degenerative disease [6]. It is believed that medicinal plants and herbs are safe and are free from toxic effects in humans.
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