Preventive and therapeutic effects of the peel powder of P. granatum in a rat sepsis model

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the treatment potential of Punica granatum L. peel powder in an experimentally induced sepsis model in rats. Sepsis was induced in 10-week-old, male, Wistar Albino (n=24) rats. The animals were divided into four groups: Sham-operated (S) Group, Control (C) Group, Treatment-1 (T1) Group, and Treatment-2 (T2) Group. To induce the sepsis model, the cecal ligation and puncture procedure was performed. The P. granatum peel powder (200 mg/kg; per os) was applied one hour before (T1) and 10 hours after (T2) surgery in a volume of 2 mL. At the end of the experimental procedure, microbial and histopathological analyses were performed. The histopathological scores on the liver, lungs, heart, kidney, spleen, and pancreas were evaluated. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli + S. aureus were isolated from blood cultures. Severe bacteria were detected in the blood of the group C animals. It was found that there were fewer bacteria in groups T1 (n=2) and T2 (n=4) compared with group C. There were no lesions in the pancreas tissues of any groups. Vascular changes, degeneration, and necrosis were common in the organs in all cases of group C compared to group S. The findings in group T1 were similar to those in group C, however, it was seen in fewer animals. It was determined that there was a general improvement in group T2, and in addition the existing lesions were moderate in severity. In conclusion, P. granatum L. peel powder prevented CLP-induced lung injury in experimental rats. Thus, P. granatum L. peel powder may be an alternative therapeutic agent against lung tissue injury induced by sepsis. The recovery from inflammation was better in group T2 than in the other groups. According to the results of the current study, P. granatum peel powder was found to be effective in the treatment of sepsis with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory functions.