Pomegranate peel extract lessens histopathologic changes and restores antioxidant homeostasis in the hippocampus of rats with aluminium chloride-induced Alzheimer’s disease

Objective:To investigate the neuroprotective efficacy of pomegranate and ellagic acid on the histopathological changes in the hippocampus of an aluminium chloride(AlCl<sub>3)induced rat model of Alzheimer’s disease.Methods:Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups(n=10each):GroupⅠ:serving as negative control;GroupⅡ,Alzheimer model,induced by administration of 17 mg/kg bw AlCl3;GroupⅢ,administered the same dose of AlCl3 with 50 mg/kg of pomegranate peel extract and GroupⅣ:administered ellagic acid(50 mg/kg)in addition to the same dose of AlCl3.The medication given to all groups continued for 28 days.All were given the compounds by gastric gavage.Radial arm maze test,hippocampus antioxidant markers,histopathology of the dentate gyrus,and CA3 of the hippocampus were evaluated.Results:Rats treated with pomegranate peel extract exposed to radial arm maze test showed less number of errors and reduced time needed to reach the criterion.There was an increase in the levels of glutathione,catalase,and total antioxidant capacity and decreased lipid peroxidation products.Histopathological features in dentate gyrus and CA3 as apoptosis and chromatolysis of pyramidal cells and granular layer,respectively,were decreased.Alzheimer characteristic neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques were reduced.Treatment with ellagic acid ameliorated the pathological results but to a statistically lower level.Conclusions:Pomegranate peel extract alleviates memory deficit and restores antioxidant homeostasis following degenerative changes in the hippocampus induced by aluminium chloride in rats.

Can Fig and Olive Ameliorate the toxicity Induced by 2-nitropropane in some organs of mice? role of inflammatory versus anti-inflammatory genes

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the efficacy of Fig fruit powder and olive on hepatic,renal and splenic injury induced by 2-nitropropane(2-NP)in mice,especially if they were used in combination.METHODS:A total of 40 adult BALB/c male mice weighting 25-30 g/each.Mice were categorized into five groups(8 each).Group 1 as negative control.Group 2 as positive control group intraperitoneally injected with 2-NP(100 mg/kg b.w.)3 times/weekly for eight weeks.Group 3 injected with 2-NP and were orally supplemented with Fig(300 mg/kg).Group 4 injected with 2-NP and were orally supplemented with olive(100 mg/kg).Group 5 injected with 2-NP and were orally supplemented with mixture of Fig and olive(3∶1 respectively).RESULTS:Histopathological observation of liver in mice treated with 2-NP showed cellular degeneration,pyknosis,and congestion of the portal vein.In kidney there were disorganization of the cortical tissues,cellular necrosis and plenty of inflammatory lymphocytic aggregation.Significant elevations in liver function parameters(alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase),m RNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α,nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase and cyclooxygenase were detected as anti-inflammatory markers and 5-lipoxygenase,interleukin-1βand interleukin-6 as inflammatory biomarkers for liver and spleen,also significant elevations was detected in lipid peroxidation levels.The levels of antioxidants,glutathione,glutathione peroxidase,catalase and superoxide dismutase were significantly decreased.CONCLUSION:our findings indicated that Fig fruit powder and olive protected against hepatic,renal and splenic injury induced with 2-NP in mice,especially if they were used in combination.