Shahindokht Bassiri-Jahromi, Mohammad R Pourshafie, Esmat Mirabzadeh, Abbas Tavasoly and Farzad Katiraee
Pasteur Institute of Iran, Iran
Posters-Accepted Abstracts: Nat Prod Chem Res
Introduction: Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a significant source of bioactive compounds. However, its toxicity has not been intensively studied. We, therefore, investigated the safety and tolerability of Pomegranate Peel Extract (PPE) in BALB/c mice. Methods: A total of 25 female BALB/c were randomly grouped with each experimental group consisted of five animals involving. Repeated doses including 0.5, 1.9 and 7.5 mg/kg body weight of PPE were gavages to BALB/c mice for 22 days and the single intradermal injection (224 mg/kg) was done in one dose. Control group administrated with distilled water was also included. In addition, intra dermal injection for skin allergy testing was also performed. Blood was collected for evaluation of glucose, cholesterol, Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) as indicators of liver toxicity. Macroscopic and histo-pathological evaluation of tongue, trachea and larynx tissues was also performed at 22 days post administration. Results: Toxicological potential of PPE studies revealed no toxic effects, no clinical signs, no histo-pathologic effect in epithelial cells layers of tongue, larynx and trachea, no behavioral alterations and no adverse effects or mortality in BALB/c mice. Repeated administrations did not alter or cause local irritation of the oral mucosa. Skin allergy test was negative in the last group. Conclusion: This study is showed that the PPE has no toxicity and its use is suggested with potential applications against diseases.
Email: basiri@pasteur.ac.ir
