Effect of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Juice and Methanolic Peel Extract on Testis of Male Rats

Although only recently Punica granatum (pomegranate) has been acclaimed for its health benefits, this fruit has long been cultivated and consumed, as a fresh fruit or in the form of beverage, especially in the Mediterranean region. In the present study, the antioxidant effects of the methanolic extract of pomegranate peels (MEPP) and pomegranate juice (PJ) were evaluated in normal male rats. Also, there is no evidence about the positive and/or negative effect of pomegranate and/or its extracts on male fertility. In order to evaluate the beneficial effect of PJ and MEPP on lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide levels in testicular of rats. In addition, non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant molecules as glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were estimated. Also, testosterone, follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were also evaluated in the serum of rats. The results revealed that both MEPP and PJ have potent antioxidant activity by reducing lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide formation in testis tissues of rats. Those activities were extended to non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant defense components such as GSH, CAT, SOD, GR, GST and GPx. Additionally, MEPP and PJ caused high elevation in male sex hormones as testosterone, follicular stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. The results obtained showed that MEPP and PJ may contain some biologically active components that may be active against oxidative stress, and this may be the basis for its traditional use for environmental toxins.