The Efficacy of Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Peel Extract on Experimentally Infected Rats with Blastocystis Spp

Abstract

Here, the study was conducted to evaluate the effect of pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel extract on infected rats with Blastocystis spp. Anti-protozoan activities were determined by monitoring Blastocystis spp. shedding in stools and histopathological changes of intestine of infected rats. Additionally, we evaluated the antioxidant properties of pomegranate peel extract on different groups through measuring the concentration of Malondialdehyde (MDA). In this work, Punica granatum peel extract-treatment lowered the shedding of cysts very close to nitazoxanide (NTZ) treatment. These data were statistically significant P value ≤ 0.0001. Pomegranate peel extract was found to have the highest anti-lipid peroxidation effect, assessed by measuring MDA level. The inhibitory effect of pomegranate peel extract on lipid peroxidation was significant when compared to NTZ- treated group (P value ≤ 0.0003). As well, histolopathological examination of the intestine showing that Blastocystis spp. were often observed in the infected group without treatment either within the luminal material or at the tip of the epithelium compared to the infected treated groups. Pomegranate peel extract can be used as alternative therapy for blastocystosis and for developing novel anti Blastocystis drugs. Additionally, these results show clinical evidence that pomegranate peel extract has components act as powerful antioxidants.