LAUSR

Background: Although punicalaginis known for its strong antioxidant properties, the current literature lacks knowledge about the direct oral consumption of punicalagin in rabbits. Therefore, the present study evaluated the potential effects of this powerful antioxidant in male rabbits. Methods: The rabbits (n=24) were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups; controls (tap water) and 3 different doses of punicalagin in tap water (1, 2 and 10 mg/kg punicalagin). At the end of the experiment (9 wk), blood samples were taken and rabbits were sacrificed. The liver and kidney tissues were collected for oxidant and antioxidant parameters. Result: Punicalagin did not cause any clinical symptoms. Body weights and feed intakes were not affected by punicalagin treatments. Similarly, the hematological parameters such as red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cells and platelets did not differ among the treatments. Serum glucose, urea, creatinine, amylase, lipase, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels were within the physiological ranges. Two highest doses used in the experiment decreased malondialdehyde levels and positively affected superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activities (P less than 0.05). Therefore, the current study suggests a lack of harmful effects and promising antioxidant capacity of punicalagin in male New Zealand rabbits up to 10 mg/kg/day dose levels.