Abstract

Methanol extract of Punica granatum (pomegranate) peel was screened for its antioxidant activity on brain of adult male Wister albino rats. The antioxidant activity was determined by measuring reduced glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase, and glutathione peroxidase. In addition, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), nitric oxide (NO) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) were also measured in brain homogenate. Pomegranate peel treatment resulted in marked increase in most antioxidant parameters with reduction in oxidant H₂O₂, NO and MDA. On the basis of the previous results it can be concluded that pomegranate methanol peel extract is a promising natural product, which could be useful for the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases caused by oxidative stress.

Key words: Pomegranate peel, antioxidant enzymes, brain, rats.