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.