Hepatoprotective Effect of Ethanolic Pomegranate Peel Extract Against Levofloxacin via Suppression of Oxidative Stress, Proinflammation, and Apoptosis in Male Rats.

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One of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics, levofloxacin (LEV), is used to treat a variety of illnesses leading to oxidative stress and cellular damage. Peel from Punica granatum is a waste product abundant in phytochemicals with various biological activities. This study aimed to evaluate P. granatum peel extract's (PGPE) potential to mitigate oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and liver damage caused by LEV. There were four groups of rats: control, PGPE, LEV, and PGPE + LEV, respectively, and they were orally administered their daily treatments for 2 weeks. Results revealed that PGPE has a large number of phytochemical components with high antioxidant activity. PGPE intake alone enhanced the antioxidant status and decreased oxidative stress. On the other hand, pretreatment of the LEV group with PGPE restored oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes, glutathione content, liver function biomarkers, and hematological parameters. Also, normalization of gene expressions (cyclooxygenase-2, transforming growth factor-beta1, caspase-3, heme oxygenase-1, B cell lymphoma-2, interleukin [IL]-10, and IL-1) and improvement in liver architecture, and immunohistochemical alpha-smooth muscle actin, were seen in comparison to the LEV group. Conclusively, PGPE exhibits strong anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and antioxidant properties that shield rat liver from the damaging effects of LEV and offer a fresh viewpoint on the application of fruit waste products.