Protective effects of pomegranate peel against hematotoxicity, chromosomal aberrations, and genotoxicity induced by barium chloride in adult rats

Pharm Biol. 2016;54(6):964-74. doi: 10.3109/13880209.2015.1087035. Epub 2016 Mar 12.

Abstract

Context: Pomegranate peel (PP) has health benefits including antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimutagenic properties.

Objective: This study investigated the biochemical composition and protective effects of PP against hematotoxicity and genotoxicity induced by barium chloride (BaCl2) in adult rats.

Materials and methods: Adult Wistar rats were divided into four groups of six each: control, barium (67 ppm via drinking water), PP (5% via diet), and their combination during 21 d. Oxidative stress was determined by MDA, AOPP, and antioxidant status: CAT, GPx, GSH, Vit C. Osmotic fragility (OF), chromosomal aberrations (CAs), and micronucleus (MN) assays were also studied.

Results: PP showed a rich composition of antioxidant compounds. DPPH test found IC50 value= 5.3 μg/mL and a high polysaccharides content (315 ± 5 mg/g of extract). In vivo study showed a decrease in red blood cells (70%) and platelet counts (46%), hemoglobin content (8%), hematocrit percent (7%), and an 80% increase of white blood cells in Ba-treated rats. A reduction in antioxidant status: catalase, glutathione peroxidase activities, glutathione, and vitamin C levels by 31, 21, 28, and 29%, respectively, and an increase in MDA (46%) and AOPP levels (72%) were also observed compared with controls. BaCl2-treatment showed a significant increase in the frequencies of total chromosomal aberrations with abnormal metaphases and micronucleus in bone-marrow cells. Oxidative stress induced by BaCl2 might be the major cause for chromosomal abnormalities leading to DNA damage.

Discussion and conclusion: A decrease in hematotoxic and genotoxic effects induced by PP is due to its powerful antioxidant capacity.

Keywords: Antioxidant status; BaCl2; Punica granatum L.; erythrocytes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / isolation & purification
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Barium Compounds / toxicity*
  • Biphenyl Compounds / chemistry
  • Blood Cells / drug effects*
  • Blood Cells / metabolism
  • Blood Cells / pathology
  • Blood Proteins / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow Cells / drug effects*
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow Cells / pathology
  • Chlorides / toxicity*
  • Chromosome Aberrations / chemically induced
  • Chromosome Aberrations / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Flavonoids / isolation & purification
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology
  • Lythraceae / chemistry*
  • Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / chemically induced
  • Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / drug effects
  • Osmotic Fragility / drug effects
  • Picrates / chemistry
  • Plant Components, Aerial / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Polysaccharides / isolation & purification
  • Polysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Barium Compounds
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Blood Proteins
  • Chlorides
  • Flavonoids
  • Picrates
  • Plant Extracts
  • Polysaccharides
  • barium chloride
  • 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl