POMEGRANATE JUICE TREATMENT PREVENTS CARBON TETRACHLORIDE(CCL4)-INDUCED TESTICULAR DAMAGE IN RATS: A BIOCHEMICAL AND HISTOLOGICAL STUDY

BackgroundEnvironmental pollution, including exposure to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), poses serious health risks, particularly through oxidative stress, which may lead to neurodegenerative damage. Antioxidants, especially those found in natural products, show potential in mitigating these toxic effects. Pomegranate juice (PJ), rich in bioactive phytochemicals, has demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the protective effects of PJ on neurotoxicity induced by CCl4 in rats, assessing specific markers of oxidative stress, enzymatic activity, and apoptotic cell death.Material and MethodsTwenty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control, CCl4, PJ, and CCl4+PJ. The CCl4 group received intraperitoneal injections of CCl4 (0.2 ml/100 g) twice weekly for six weeks, while the PJ group received PJ orally (4 ml/kg) daily for 30 days. The CCl4+PJ group received both treatments in sequence. Brain tissues were analysed for malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), and carboxylesterase (CaE) activity. Apoptotic cell death was assessed using TUNEL staining.ResultsCCl4 exposure resulted in a marked increase in MDA levels and AChE activity in brain tissue (p<0.05), alongside a significant decrease in reduced GSH levels and GST activity (p<0.05). Treatment with PJ significantly lowered MDA levels and AChE activity in the CCl4+PJ group compared to the CCl4 group (p<0.05). However, GSH levels and GST activity showed no significant changes in the CCl4+PJ group. TUNEL staining indicated a reduction in apoptotic cells in the CCl4+PJ group versus the CCl4 group, suggesting reduced cellular damage with PJ treatment (p<0.05).ConclusionsPJ demonstrates neuroprotective potential against CCl4-induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in rats by reducing oxidative markers and apoptosis. These findings suggest that PJ could serve as a natural protective agent against neurodegenerative risks associated with environmental pollutants like CCl4.

Pomegranate juice (PJ) possesses a high antioxidant activity, which has been related to beneficial health properties. However, in vivo confirmation and characterization of these effects on biological systems are lacking and needed. This study was performed in order to investigate the effect of prolonged PJ ingestion on general oxidation status. For this purpose, mice ingested PJ (or water in control group) during four weeks, after which damage to lipids, proteins and DNA were evaluated as oxidative cell biomarkers. Levels of hepatic glutathione and the activities and expression of enzymes involved in its metabolism were determined. Catalase and SOD activities were quantified as these enzymes have a crucial role in antioxidant defence. Protection against protein and DNA oxidation was found in PJ group. There was also a significant decrease in GSH and GSSG, without change in the GSH/GSSG ratio. All studied enzymatic activities (GPx, GST, GR, SOD and catalase) were found to be decreased by PJ treatment. Additionally, RT-PCR results showed that GST and GS transcription were also decreased in this group. These results are compatible with a protective effect of PJ against systemic oxidative stress in mice.

: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of pomegranate juice (PJ) on liver carboxylesterases (Ces), oxidative stress parameters, liver histology, and fatty acids in rats exposed to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Adult male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups as control, CCl4, PJ, and CCl4+PJ (n=7 in each group). We determined that the decrease in Ces activity due to CCl4-induced liver damage was alleviated by PJ. Moreover, PJ reduced CCl4-induced oxidative stress, liver degeneration, and apoptosis. While the CCl4 group increased the 15:0, 16:0 fatty acid levels, it decreased the 20:4 and PUFA fatty acid levels compared to the control group. In the CCl4+PJ group, 16:0 and ΣSFA fatty acid percentages decreased with the effect of PJ compared to the CCl4 group, while 18:2n-6, ΣPUFA and ΣUSFA fatty acid ratios increased. We concluded that PJ has an ameliorative effect on liver damage caused by CCl4 exposure.

Being the most commonly used antipyretic and analgesic, paracetamol is one of the most common causes of childhood poisoning in the world and maintains its importance also in our country. Paracetamol poisoning is one of the most common causes of liver failure. This study aimed to investigate if pomegranate juice had protective effect in acute liver toxicity related with paracetamol. A total of 36 Wistar-Albino rats were divided into four groups as the paracetamol group (3 000 mg/kg paracetamol), the pomegranate juice + paracetamol group (1.5 mL pomegranate juice plus 3 000 mg/kg paracetamol), the pomegranate juice group (1.5 mL pomegranate juice) and the control group (1.5 mL distilled water). Pomegranate juice and distilled water were administered for eight days. Paracetamol was administered on day 8. The level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, as an oxidative marker, was measured in the blood and liver tissue on day 9. In addition, liver tissues were evaluated histologically (in terms of increased connective tissue, granular degeneration, mononuclear cell infiltration, necrotic cells and vascular congestion). The liver tissue and blood thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels were found to be significantly lower in the pomegranate juice + paracetamol group compared to the paracetamol group (p<0.05). Histologically, structural changes related with damage were observed in both the paracetamol group and pomegranate juice + paracetamol group. The extent of damage was statistically significantly lower in the pomegranate juice + paracetamol group (p<0.001). Our results related with oxidative and histologic evaluation showed that pomegranate juice might have a preventive effect in paracetamol-induced acute liver damage.

Objective: Lead has been reported to cause oxidative stress in liver tissues and cause histopathological changes. Studies have shown that pomegranate juice has antioxidant properties that prevent oxidative stress. In this study, the harmful effects of lead acetate on rat liver tissue and the efficacy of pomegranate juice against these effects were investigated. Methods: 28 male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: control, lead acetate (50 mL/kg), pomegranate juice (1 mL/kg), and lead acetate + pomegranate juice (50 mL/kg+1 mL/kg). Lead acetate and pomegranate juice were administered orally. Results: When compared with the control group, it was seen that the lead acetate had an increase in the malondialdehyde level and a decrease in reduced Glutathione, Glutathione S-transferase, and Carboxylesterases. Group lead acetate + pomegranate juice had a reduction in malondialdehyde level and an increase in Glutathione, Glutathione S-transferase, and Carboxylesterases compared with the group lead acetate. The lead level of group lead acetate + pomegranate juice decreased compared to the group lead acetate. Cellular degeneration and irregular hepatic cords were observed in group lead acetate's liver tissue, and the negative changes were lost in group lead acetate + pomegranate juice. Conclusion: It was observed that pomegranate juice had a protective effect against liver toxicity caused by lead acetate.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential side-effects of lead acetate (LA), which is toxic to the nerves, blood and muscles, in the rat brain. The neuroprotective effects of pomegranate juice (PJ) against LA exposure were also observed. The experiment involved 28 male Wistar albino rats aged 12weeks. These were divided into four groups: Control, PJ, LA and LA+PJ. Stereological techniques were employed to determine hippocampal volume in each rat brain. Biochemical investigations and histopathological examinations were also performed. Analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in hippocampal volume in the LA group compared to the control group (p<.05). The stereology results also indicated that PJ has protective effects when compared with the LA and LA+PJ groups. A significant increase was also determined in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in the LA group compared to the control group, in contrast to glutathione (GSH) levels and carboxylesterase (CaE) and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activities. MDA and GST activity decreased significantly in the LA+PJ group compared to the LA group in contrast to GSH levels and CaE and AchE activities. Histopathological examination revealed a number of degenerative changes in the LA group. Exposure to LA adversely affects the hippocampus on the male rat brain. It might also be suggested that PJ may ameliorate these deleterious effects.

Beneficial health effects are being claimed for pomegranate juice (PJ). This study aimed to investigate the effect of prolonged PJ ingestion on CYP450 activity and expression and on oxidation status. Mice ingested PJ during 4 weeks, after which pentobarbital-induced sleeping time, total hepatic CYP450 content, activity of CYP 2E1 and expression of the main CYP isoforms were assessed. Damage to lipids, proteins and DNA were evaluated as oxidative cell biomarkers. The levels of hepatic glutathione and the activities and expression of enzymes involved on its metabolism, as well as catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined. PJ consumption decreased total hepatic CYP content and the expression of CYP 1A2 and CYP 3A which can affect biotransformation of xenobiotics. Protection against protein and DNA oxidation was found in PJ group. There was also a significant decrease in GSH and GSSG, without change in the GSH/GSSG ratio. All enzymatic activities (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase, SOD and catalase) were decreased by PJ treatment. Additionally, RT-PCR results showed that GST and glutathione synthase transcription were also decreased in this group. These results are compatible with a state of reduced oxidative stress in mice ingesting PJ. Supported by FCT (POCI, FEDER and Programa Comunitário de Apoio) and iBeSa (Instituto de Bebidas e Saúde).

BackgroundPomegranate fruit has been extensively used as a natural medicine in many cultures. The present study was aimed at evaluating the protective effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum) juice against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced oxidative stress and testes injury in adult Wistar rats.MethodsTwenty eight Wistar albino male rats were divided equally into 4 groups for the assessment of protective potential of pomegranate juice. Rats of group I (control) received only vehicles and had free access to food and water. Rats of groups II and IV were treated with CCl4 (2 ml/kg bwt) via the intraperitoneal route once a week for ten weeks. The pomegranate juice was supplemented via drinking water 2 weeks before and concurrent with CCl4 treatment to group IV. Group III was supplemented with pomegranate juice for twelve weeks. The protective effects of pomegranate on serum sex hormones, oxidative markers, activities of antioxidant enzymes and histopathology of testes were determined in CCl4-induced reproductive toxicity in rats.ResultsPomegranate juice showed significant elevation in testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) those depleted by the injection of CCl4. Activity levels of endogenous testesticular antioxidant enzymes; superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione (GSH) contents were increased while lipid peroxidation (LPO) and nitric oxide (NO) were decreased with pomegranate juice. Moreover, degeneration of germ and Leydig cells along with deformities in spermatogenesis induced after CCl4 injections were restored with the treatment of pomegranate juice.ConclusionThe results clearly demonstrated that pomegranate juice augments the antioxidant defense mechanism against carbon tetrachloride-induced reproductive toxicity and provides evidence that it may have a therapeutic role in free radical mediated diseases.

The present investigation examined the impact of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) juice on trace elements, minerals, and oxidative stress in relation to the potential harm inflicted by aluminum chloride (AlCl3) in rats. Rats were split into four groups at random for this purpose: control (C), pomegranate juice (PJ), aluminum chloride (A), and PJ + A. For 30days, PJ was orally administered by gavage at a rate of 4mL/kg every other day, whereas AlCl3 was administered intraperitoneally at 8.3mg/kg. Spectrophotometric analysis was used to measure the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) enzyme activity in various tissues. In addition, high-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS FAAS) was used to determine the amounts of the elements Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Ca, and Mg in the tissues. It was discovered that when PJ therapy was applied to all tissues, the antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT activity increased, the GSH level rose, and the MDA level, a sign of lipid peroxidation, decreased. Al and Ca levels increased in the A group relative to the C group in all tissues, whereas they decreased in the A + PJ group relative to the A group. Group A exhibited a proportionate increase in Fe levels in the liver and renal tissues compared with group C. Furthermore, the A group's brain tissue had a higher Fe level than the C group's. The A + PJ group's brain tissue had a lower Fe level than the A group's. Our findings demonstrate that PJ therapy greatly decreased Al buildup and oxidative stress in tissues while controlling variations in trace element levels. In addition, it is concluded that PJ might have value as a strong chelating agent to prevent Al poisoning.

Epilepsy is one of the greatest common neurological disorders characterized by epileptic seizures. The present study aims to investigate the protective effects of pomegranate juice with and without valproic acid on epileptic rats. Pomegranate juice (PJ) used in popular folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases due to its antioxidants content. Valproic acid (VPA) is a well-established anticonvulsant drug used in the treatment of many forms of generalized epilepsy and psychiatric disorders to control epileptic seizures. Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) is a central nervous system convulsant which induce seizures and used as a routine test for screening of anticonvulsants. In the present study 35 rats were divided into 7 groups: control group, PTZ group, PJ group, VPA group, VPA+PTZ group, PJ+PTZ group, and PJ+VPA+PTZ group. Groups treated with pomegranate juice received daily oral doses of 10 µL/g of body weight for 28 days. Groups treated with valproic acid received daily intraperitoneal (IP) doses of 500 mg/kg body weight for 14 days. At the last day of the experiment groups treated with PTZ were injected with a single IP dose of PTZ (60 mg/kg B.W), while other groups without PTZ received the same dose of sterile isotonic saline solution. After 30 minutes animals were decapitated. Injection of rats with PTZ or VPA resulted in significant increase in liver functions and lipid profile except HDL-c. Results showed significant decrease in antioxidants while treatment with pomegranate juice showed significant decrease in liver functions and lipid profile and significant increase in antioxidants.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)is one of the most common metabolic and endocrine disorders. Functional foods like pomegranate and probiotics are those that are considered to have beneficial effects on metabolic diseases beyond their basic nutritional value.So, we aimed to evaluate the effect of synbiotic pomegranate juice (SPJ) on cardiovascular risk factors on PCOS patients. This was a randomized, triple-blinded, 8-week trial. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 300mL/day of pomegranate juice (PJ), synbiotic beverage (SB), synbiotic pomegranate juice (SPJ), or placebo beverage (PB).Biochemical indices (lipid profile,Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC),Malondialdehyde (MDA), high sensitive C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP))and blood pressurewere assessed before and after the intervention. Participants in the PJ, SB, and SPJ groups experienced improvement in their lipid profile, oxidative stress, inflammation, and blood pressure during the time. Compared to placebo, Total Cholesterol (TC) was lower in the SB group (P < 0.01), LDL-c was lower in the SPJ and SB groups (P < 0.01), and HDL-c was higher in the SPJ and PJ groups (P < 0.01). With regards to oxidative stress and inflammation, when compared with placebo, MDA was lower in the SPJ, SB, and PJ groups (P < 0.001), TAC was increased in the SPJ and PJ groups (P[Formula: see text] 0.001), and hs-CRP was decreased in the PJ group (P = 0.02). Blood pressure (BP) was lower in the SPJ and PJ groups compared to placebo (P < 0.001; P < 0.01, respectively). Consuming daily SPJ for 8weeks improved metabolic, oxidative, inflammatory, and BP outcomes in females with PCOS. This trial was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20170207032439N2).

The objective of the study was to explore the effects of pomegranate juice (PJ) as a water supplement on performance, egg quality, and blood parameters in laying hens. For this purpose, a total of 72 Babcock laying hens, were divided into three groups, one control and two experiments (n = 24). Each main group consists of 4 subgroups, and each subgroup consists of 6 chickens. PJ was administered in drinking water at 0%, 5%, and 10% to the experimental groups for 4 weeks. Feed was offered to all groups ad libitum. The addition of PJ had no significant effect on performance parameters, Haugh unit, and egg breaking strength. The yolk color of the 5% PJ group was found to be lighter than the control and other experimental groups (P&amp;lt;0.05). The PJ did not affect serum glucose levels, serum lipid profile, liver enzyme levels, serum total protein levels, most of the hematological parameters, and serum Ca:P ratio in the present study, whereas there were linear and quadratic dose responses in AST, ALT, and HDL. Serum total Ca and P levels of 5% PJ supplemented birds were lower than 10% supplemented PJ birds, whereas it was similar to the control for both (P&amp;lt;0.05). Serum IgG levels were lower in both treatment groups than the control group (P&amp;lt;0.05). In conclusion, using 5% of PJ as a short-term water supplement have some specific effects on the cholesterol metabolism of laying hens rather than performance and immunity.

IntroductionDiabetes mellitus characterized by hyperglycemia could increase oxidative stress and formation of advanced glycated end-products (AGEs), which contribute to diabetic complications. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of pomegranate juice (PJ) containing natural antioxidant on lipid peroxidation and plasma AGEs in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).Materials and methodsIn a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 44 patients (age range 56±6.8 years), T2D were randomly assigned to one of two groups: group A (PJ, n=22) and group B (Placebo, n=22). At the baseline and the end of 12-week intervention, biochemical markers including fasting plasma glucose, insulin, oxidative stress, and AGE markers including carboxy methyl lysine (CML) and pentosidine were assayed.ResultsAt baseline, there were no significant differences in plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels between the two groups, but malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased levels were significantly different (P<0.001). After 12 weeks of intervention, TAC increased (P<0.05) and MDA decreased (P<0.01) in the PJ group when compared with the placebo group. However, no significant differences were observed in plasma concentration of CML and pentosidine between the two groups.ConclusionsThe study showed that PJ decreases lipid peroxidation. Therefore, PJ consumption may delay onset of T2D complications related to oxidative stress.

Preventive effect of pomegranate juice against chemically induced bladder cancer: An experimental study

We aimed to study the protective effects of pomegranate juice (PJ) on ethylene glycol (EG)-induced crystal deposition in renal tubules, renal toxicity, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nuclear factor-kappaB activities in rat kidneys. Fifty-six rats were divided into four equal groups: Control, EG, EG + 50 microL PJ/d (PJ50), and EG + 100 microL PJ/d (PJ100). Rats were sacrified on days 10 and 45. Tissue sections were evaluated under light and polarized microscopy for the presence and degree of crystal deposition and toxicity in the kidneys. Crude extracts of the cortex were used to determine reduced gluthatione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. In the EG group, crystal depositions were more evident and mild crystalization was observed in proximal tubules on day 10; severe crystalization and granulovacuolar epithelial cell degeneration were observed on day 45. There was limited or no crystal formation in the EG + PJ-given groups. There were completely normal renal and tubular structures in the control group. There was no significant difference between the four groups in serum levels of sodium, potassium, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine in any sampling time. Hyperoxaluria, a marked increase in MDA and NO levels, and decrease of GSH were observed in the EG-given groups compared with the others. There were marked iNOS and p65 expressions in only the EG-given rats compared with control and PJ groups, immunohistochemically. This experiment shows the protective effect of PJ in the EG-induced crystal depositions in renal tubules.