INVESTIGATION OF THE PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF POMEGRANATE PEEL EXTRACT IN LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE - INDUCED UVEITIS MODEL IN RATS

Introduction: Pomegranate peel is one of the most beneficial parts due to contains bioactive ingredients such as flavonoids, ellagitannins, phenolics and proanthocyanidin compounds that with high antioxidant activity. A high amount of punicalagin in the pomegranate peel allows the pomegranate to produce antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antiapoptotic effects. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the protective effects of PPE in LPS-induced uveitis model in rats. Material and Methods: 60 male rats were divided into;healthy,uveitis,LPS+DEX, LPS+PPE(100mg/kg),LPS+PPE(300mg/kg),LPS+PPE (500mg/kg). Analyzed PPE was given to rats by oral gavage for 7 days before LPS administration. One hour after the last extract, LPS was applied to rats in all groups except the healthy group. DEX was applicated intraperitoneally 1 mg/kg x three times, half an hour before, at the same time and half an hour after the LPS application. After LPS application, half of the rats in each group at the 3rd and the other half at the 24th hour was taken eye tissues of rats and were stored for histopathological, molecular and biochemical analysis. Results: PPE administration significantly decrease MDA levels and a significant increase in GSH levels and SOD activities depending on the dose, compared with the uveitis group. When molecular analyzes were examined, the levels of TNF-α,VEGF and Caspase-3 mRNA expression up regulated by LPS-induced uveitis groups and PPE administration significantly down regulated in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion:PPE can be a promising agent by contributing to alternative preventive treatment methods for uveitis with its antiinflammatory, antioxidative, antiapoptotic and angiogenic effects.