BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF POMEGRANATE BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS AND THEIR ROLE IN OXIDATIVE STRESS REMEDY IN SOME BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

Abstract

Pomegranate fruit is an important source of bioactive compounds and has a protective effect against oxidative stress. Therefore, the present investigation aimed to study; the antioxidant activity of pomegranate husk extract and its hepatoprotective effect. Studies were focused on the following:  Extraction of fruit parts of three types of pomegranate at different maturity stages.  Antioxidant activity of pomegranate extracts.  The total contents of polyphenols and flavonoids and HPLC isolation of husk extract.  The effect of pomegranate husk extract as a prophylactic and medication on liver function of CCl4-treated rats.  Determination of oxidative stress biomarkers (lipid peroxidation, protein damage and DNA damage).  Histopathology examination of liver tissues.

The obtained results could be summarized in the main following points:

1. The antioxidant activity differs according to types, fruit parts and maturity stages. Among the studied types, early wonderful husk extract at pre-mature stage have the highest antioxidant activity by FRAP assay (1.32 µM).

2. The data show that the total phenolic contents in mature stage are higher than post-mature. The highest total phenol contents were observed in husk, peel and juice of EW type (12.9, 12.1 and 8.5 mg/100g dry weight).