Abstract
Objective: To investigate the neuroprotective efficacy of pomegranate and ellagic acid on the histopathological changes in the hippocampus of an aluminium chloride (AlCl3) induced rat model of Alzheimer's disease. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups (n=10 each): Group I : serving as negative control; Group II, Alzheimer model, induced by administration of 17 mg/kg bw AlCl3; Group III, administered the same dose of AlCl3 with 50 mg/kg of pomegranate peel extract and Group IV : administered ellagic acid (50 mg/kg) in addition to the same dose of AlCl3. The medication given to all groups continued for 28 days. All were given the compounds by gastric gavage. Radial arm maze test, hippocampus antioxidant markers, histopathology of the dentate gyrus, and CA3 of the hippocampus were evaluated. Results: Rats treated with pomegranate peel extract exposed to radial arm maze test showed less number of errors and reduced time needed to reach the criterion. There was an increase in the levels of glutathione, catalase, and total antioxidant capacity and decreased lipid peroxidation products. Histopathological features in dentate gyrus and CA3 as apoptosis and chromatolysis of pyramidal cells and granular layer, respectively, were decreased. Alzheimer characteristic neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques were reduced. Treatment with ellagic acid ameliorated the pathological results but to a statistically lower level. Conclusions: Pomegranate peel extract alleviates memory deficit and restores antioxidant homeostasis following degenerative changes in the hippocampus induced by aluminium chloride in rats.