The Promotive Effects of Punica granatum Seed Extract on Hematological, Cardiovascular, and Reproductive Biomarkers in Rabbits

Objective: Pomegranate seeds, which constitute approximately 3% of the fresh fruit, are a by-product of pomegranate juice.They containsignificant levels of essential minerals (Zn, Na, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Se) and vitamins (A, B1, B2, C, and E). Beside they are rich in crude protein and crude fat. However, during the production of this fruit juice they are often discarded as waste.This research aimed to investigate the effect of Punica granatum seed extract on hematological parameters, cardiac enzymes and reproductive hormone levels inrabbits. Also, the promotive role in enhancement of sex hormone in local rabbit breeds was investigated. Methods: The experiment was conducted over March 11 – May 1, 2024 at the Faculty of Medical Laboratory Technique, University of Al-Zahrawi, Karbala, Iraq. During the experiment, male rabbits were employed. Totally ten adult male rabbits were randomly assigned into two equal groups, each consisting of five animals. They were housed in cages under same condition. Group-1 served as control and treated with ad libitum access to water and standard diet. Group-2 was treated with extract of Punica granatum (pomegranate) seeds. The statistical analysis of the data of the experiment was measured by using the Using T-test for experiment using IBM SPSS program (p < 0.05). Results: Treatment with pomegranate seed extract significantly enhanced several hematological and hormonal parameters (p < 0.05), including elevated counts of white blood cells, red blood cells, packed cell volume, and platelet, as well as increased concentrations of key reproductive hormones compared to the control group. In contrast, it was observed that the treatment of Punica granatum seed extract significant decrease the concentration of cardiac injury biomarkers (troponin and creatine phosphokinase), whereas hemoglobin levels remained unaffected. Conclusion: The findings suggest that pomegranate seed extract can promote the production of red blood cells and platelets and help hematopoiesis. Pomegranate seed extract helps strengthen the heart muscle and reduce the level of specific cardiac enzymes. It also contributed to raising the levels of progesterone, estradiol, and the hormones FSH and LH.