EFFECT OF POMEGRANATE (PUNICA GRANATUM L.) HYDROETHANOLIC PEEL EXTRACT ON LIVER INJURY INDUCED BY AFLATOXIN IN ADULT MALE RATS

The objective of this study is to investigate the detoxification effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of pomegranate fruit peel on tissue and liver enzymes in male rats empoisoned by aflatoxin. The animals were empoisoned by aflatoxin gavage at dose of 480 µg/kg every day for a period of 8 weeks. Hydro ethanolic extract was co-treated at doses 50, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg for a period of 8 weeks with aflatoxin. After 8 weeks, the sampling was done from the heart and liver of animals. The serum parameters were measured including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and serum Total Protein (TP) by kit. Tissue sections were prepared by liver sampling and stained using hematoxylin-eosin method. The results showed that the aflatoxin increased serum AP, AST and ALT, while decreased total protein levels and also increased of liver damage score in empoisoned rats compared to healthy control group. The treatment of extract at doses 50, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg caused significant decrease of serum AP, AST, and ALT levels and damage score of liver , while increased serum total protein level in the empoisoned rats compared to the empoisoned control group. The results indicated that the hydro-ethanolic extract of pomegranatel has protective effect against aflatoxin in animal, so usage of the fruit should be consider in the traditional medicine to treat the liver disorders.