Abstract

REGRESSION OF LIVER FIBROSIS BY PUNICA GRANATUM PEEL EXTRACT IN THE EXPERIMENTAL MODEL

Nagla Z. El-Alfy, Hanaa H. Ahmed*, Mahmmod F. Mahmoud, Shereen M.M. Yahya

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of Punica granatum peel methanolic extract against TAA- induced liver fibrosis in rats.Liver enzymes, plasma fibrinogen,serum hepatocyte growth factor levels,reduced glutathione content were estimated . Hepatic NQO1 and BCL-2 gene expression levels were detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR. In addition, histopathological investigation of liver tissue sections was carried out. The positive control group (TAA-treated) showed significant elevation in the activity of liver enzymes, bilirubin and serum hepatocyte growth factor levels. On the other hand, this group revealed significant reduction in plasma fibrinogen level and hepatic reduced glutathione content. Additionally, significant downregulation in hepatic NQO1 and BCL-2 gene expression levels were detected in the positive control group as compared to the negative control group. Histopathological investigation of liver tissue sections of rats in the positive control group revealed many fibrotic features. In contrast, Punica granatum -treated group showed significant depletion in serum liver enzymes activity, bilirubin and hepatocyte growth factor levels accompanied with significant elevation in plasma fibrinogen level and hepatic reduced glutathione content to near normal values. Moreover, this group showed dramatic upregulation in hepatic NQO1 and BCL-2 gene expression levels as compared to the positive control group interestingly, treatment with Punica granatum caused marked improvement in the histological feature of liver tissue. This study indicated the promising therapeutic potential of Punica granatum peel extract in the regression of liver fibrosis. This effect could be attributed to its antioxidant properties, antifibrotic, and antiapoptotic activity.

Keywords: liver fibrosis, Punica granatum , antioxidant, apoptosis, Rats.