RESEARCH TITLE: Inhibitory Effects of Two Varieties of Tunisian Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Extracts on Gastrointestinal Transit in Rat
COUNTRIES: Tunisia; France
CONDUCTED BY: Laboratory of Nutrition and Animal Physiology, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Beja, Tunisia; Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Functional Pathology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia; Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Zarzouna, Tunisia; Biomedical Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine X. Bichat, Paris, France.
PUBLISHED ON: Journal of Medicinal Food
RESEACH:
Abstract
The present study was undertaken to determine whether total and methanol juice extracts of two Tunisian Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) varieties (Garsi and Gabsi) protect against diarrhea as well as their effects on gastrointestinal transit (GIT) in healthy rats. In this respect, male Wistar rats were used and divided into control- and pomegranate-treated groups. The antidiarrheal activity was evaluated using the castor oil-induced diarrhea method and the GIT was assessed using charcoal meal. Our results showed that total and methanol P. granatum juice extracts produced a significant dose-dependent protection against castor oil-induced diarrhea. Pomegranate extracts and juice also decreased the GIT significantly and dose dependently. Importantly, the Garsi variety appeared to be more effective than the Gabsi variety on these two parameters. These findings suggest that pomegranate extracts have a potent antidiarrheal property in rats confirming their efficiency in the Tunisian traditional medicine.
YEAR: 2015