Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Peel and Probiotics Modulate Oxidative Stress and Intestinal Microbiota Associated with Chemically Induced Colon Cancer in High-Fat-Diet Fed Rats

Introduction: Colon cancer is a real public health problem. Pomegranate peel and probiotics are thought to be important therapeutic nutritional strategies for colon cancer prevention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the modulation effect of pomegranate peel alone or in combination with probiotics against the oxidative disorders and intestinal dysbiosis associated with chemically-induced precancerous lesions in rat colon. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: Groups1and 2 were negative DMH-untreated control rats receiving Standard Diet (SD) for G1 and high-fat diet (HFD) for G2; while Groups 3 and 4 were positive DMH-treated control receiving SD for G3 and HFD for G4; Groups 5 and 6 were DMH-treated and fed with 2.5% pomegranate peel-supplemented HFD diet in the presence of probiotics (4×109 CFU/kg diet) for G6. After 16 weeks of experimentation, biochemical analysis, oxidative parameters, histopathological examination of the colon, and microbial analysis were performed. Results: Findings showed that pomegranate peels and probiotics induced a significant increase in ferric reducing the ability of plasma levels by 67% and reduction in the malonaldehyde content by 66%. In addition, this treatment helped to improve the histological architecture of the colon in the rats of groups G5 and G6, in comparison with the HFD positive DMH-treated control group (G4). Furthermore, this treatment was also the most effective in decreasing the pathogenic bacteria amount involved in the intestinal dysbiosis (7 to 43%) and increasing in beneficial bacteria (60%). Conclusions: These results suggest that pomegranate peel and probiotics act as a chemopreventive agent against preneoplastic lesions.