Antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective effect of pomegranate peel and whey powders in rats

The antioxidant activity of pomegranate peel powder (PPP) and whey powder (WP) was evaluated, their hepatoprotective effect of each alone or in combination (PPWP) at equal levels was also evaluated in Wistar rats against carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) induced liver injury. The hepatoprotective activity was assessed using various biochemical parameters and histopathological studies. The results indicated that both PPP and WP exhibited antioxidant activity. Also, rats fed on diets supplemented with 10% PPP, 10% WP or 10% of their mixture (PPWP) for 28 days showed a potential hepatoprotective effects compared to liver injury control group (IC). They succeeded to restore the biochemical parameters and improved the histological alteration of the liver. This improvement was pronounced in the group received PPWP. It could be concluded that whey powder should be incorporated with pomegranate peel powder when used as ingredients in functional foods for people suffering from liver diseases.