Evaluating the potential role of pomegranate peel in aluminum-induced oxidative stress and histopathological alterations in brain of female rats

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2012 Dec;150(1-3):328-36. doi: 10.1007/s12011-012-9498-2. Epub 2012 Sep 5.

Abstract

Studies have shown that pomegranate, Punica granatum Linn. (Lythraceae), has remarkable biological and medicinal properties. However, the effects of pomegranate peel methanolic extract (PPME) on the aluminum-induced oxidative stress and histopathological change have not been reported yet. To determine the effect of PPME (200 mg/kg bwt) on the aluminum chloride (AlCl₃; 34 mg/kg bwt)-induced neurotoxicity, aluminum accumulation in brain and oxidant/antioxidant status were determined. The change of brain structure was investigated with hematoxylin and eosin, and anti-apoptosis effects of PPME were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The present study showed an indication of carcinogenicity in the AlCl₃-treated group representing an increase in tissue tumor markers such as tumor necrosis factor-α and angiogenin and inflammation by inducing an increase in prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin F2α. PPME protected brain through decreasing the aluminum accumulation and stimulating antioxidant activities and anti-apoptotic proteins namely Bcl-2. Therefore, these results indicated that pomegranate peel methanolic extract could inhibit aluminum-induced oxidative stress and histopathological alternations in brain of female rats, and these effects may be related to anti-apoptotic and antioxidants activities.

MeSH terms

  • Aluminum / analysis
  • Aluminum / pharmacokinetics
  • Aluminum / toxicity*
  • Aluminum Chloride
  • Aluminum Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / metabolism
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / immunology
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / pathology
  • Carcinogens, Environmental / analysis
  • Carcinogens, Environmental / pharmacokinetics
  • Carcinogens, Environmental / toxicity*
  • Chlorides / administration & dosage
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Female
  • Fruit / chemistry
  • Lythraceae / chemistry*
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / immunology
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / pathology
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / immunology
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / pathology
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / prevention & control*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Tissue Distribution / drug effects

Substances

  • Aluminum Compounds
  • Antioxidants
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Carcinogens, Environmental
  • Chlorides
  • Cytokines
  • Plant Extracts
  • Aluminum Chloride
  • Aluminum