Prophylactic and therapeutic effect of Punica granatum in trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid induced inflammation in rats.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L., Punicaceae) contains varieties of antioxidants and phytochemicals; there are evidences that phytochemicals and antioxidants play a vital role in reducing inflammation. Hence this investigation was planned to assess the outcome of Punica granatum on trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid provoked colitis in rats at 2, 5 and 8ml/kg of the body weight. The effect of P. granatum was assessed in two group i.e. prophylaxis as pre-colitis and therapeutic as post-colitis. After completion of dosing in both the groups, macroscopic and histological examination of colon was carried out along with estimation of serum myeloperoxidase, glutathione, alkaline phosphate, fibrinogen and C-reactive protein. In prophylactic procedure P. granatum revealed significant (P<0.05) changes in biochemical markers of inflammation at 5 and 8ml/kg doses. However in therapeutic procedure significant change was observed only at 8ml/kg. Thus results of the present study suggest that P. granatum have a role in prevention as well as treatment of inflammation.