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. 2016 Mar;21(1):14-23.
doi: 10.3746/pnf.2016.21.1.14. Epub 2016 Mar 31.

Ameliorative Effects of Pomegranate Peel Extract against Dietary-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver in Rats

Siham N K Al-Shaaibi  1 , Mostafa I Waly  1 , Lyutha Al-Subhi  1 , Mohamed H Tageldin  2 , Nada M Al-Balushi  2 , Mohammad S Rahman  1
Affiliations

Ameliorative Effects of Pomegranate Peel Extract against Dietary-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver in Rats

Siham N K Al-Shaaibi et al. Prev Nutr Food Sci. 2016 Mar.

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is caused by fat accumulation and is associated with oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the potential protective effect of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel extract (PPE) against oxidative stress in the liver of rats with NAFLD. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high fat diet (HFD), 20% corn oil, or palm oil for 8 weeks in the presence or absence of PPE. The control group was fed a basal diet. The progression of NAFLD was evaluated histologically and by measuring liver enzymes (alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase), serum lipids (triglycerides and total cholesterol), and oxidative stress markers. The HFD feeding increased the body weight and caused NAFLD, liver steatosis, hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress, and elevated liver enzymes. Administration of PPE ameliorated the hepatic morphology, reduced body weight, improved liver enzymes, and inhibited lipogenesis. Furthermore, PPE enhanced the cellular redox status in the liver tissue of rats with NAFLD. Our findings suggest that PPE could improve HFD-induced NAFLD via abolishment of hepatic oxidative damage and hyperlipidemia. PPE might be considered as a potential lead material in the treatment of NAFLD and obesity through the modulation of lipid metabolism.

Keywords: nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; oxidative stress; pomegranate peel extract.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Alanine transaminase (ALT) concentration in the sera of the experimental groups. Significantly higher as compared to the *control and †corn oil (P<0.05), respectively, and #significantly lower than heated palm oil (P<0.05).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Alanine transaminase (ALT) concentration in the liver tissues of the experimental groups.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Aspartate transaminase (AST) concentration in the sera of the experimental groups. Heated palm oil+PPE was significantly lower than that of *control, †heated corn oil, and #corn oil+PPE (P<0.05).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Aspartate transaminase (AST) concentration in liver tissues of the experimental groups. *Significantly lower as compared to control (P<0.05).
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Catalase (CAT) enzyme activity measurement.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity measurement.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity measurement.
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) activity measurement.
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
Glutathione (GSH) measurement. Significantly *lower and †higher than the control (P<0.05).
Fig. 10
Fig. 10
Histopathology of control (A) and treated groups (B). Arrows indicated fat droplets; circles indicate places of necrosis and cell degradation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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