Pomegranate peel extract (Ppe) is reported to possess antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity due to presence of bioactive constituents like quercetin (Qrt). The goal of this study was to explore the protective effects of Ppe, Qrt and their combination PQ (Ppe + Qrt) against concanavalin A (Con A)-induced liver injury in mice. In vitro antioxidant activities including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl-radical scavenging activity, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were determined for different treatment groups. To evaluate the protective effects of Ppe, Qrt and PQ, BALB/c mice were pretreated with Ppe (150 mg/kg, i.g.), Qrt (100 mg/kg, i.g.) and PQ (Ppe; 150 mg/kg + Qrt; 100 mg/kg, i.g.) for fourteen days, prior to administration of a single dose of Con A (20 mg/kg, i.v.). The HPLC analysis indicated that Ppe possessed high contents of Qrt. Moreover, PQ demonstrated higher antioxidant enzymes activity than Ppe and Qrt alone. The in vivo study showed that PQ ameliorated Con A-induced liver injury more effectively than alone pretreatments by significantly decreasing the levels of serum transaminases. Also, PQ restored the increased levels of oxidative stress markers (TOS and MDA) and decreased levels of antioxidant markers (TAC, SOD, CAT and GSH) upon Con A administration. Histopathological studies revealed that Con A-treated mice group presented hepatic lesions and leukocytes infiltration which were not observed in PQ pretreatment group. Together, these results showed that the Ppe and Qrt combination group (PQ) showed better hepatoprotective effects than alone treatment groups suggesting additive action that might provide therapeutic potential against liver injury involving oxidative stress.

To Cite This Article: Murtaza S, Khan JA, Aslam B and Faisal MN, 2021. Pomegranate peel extract and quercetin possess antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity against concanavalin A-induced liver injury in mice. Pak Vet J, 41(2): 197-202. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2020.097