Background and aim: Pomegranate is a medicinal herb that can promote healing of periodontal tissue through differentiation of mesenchymal cells both in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, this study is to investigate the effect of oral supplementation of Punicagranatum L. peel extract on bone defect in rabbit. Methods: Forty five male rabbits were divided into 3 groups; group 1; baseline group(5 rabbits) left without bone defect. Group 2; study group (20 rabbits) with bone defect model that received daily 1ml of oral supplementation of pomegranate peel extract (PoPx). Group 3; control group (20 rabbits) with bone defect model that received distilled water. Bone defect was done into facial plate of lower right central incisor. Blood biopsies by cardiocentesis at times (base line, 3h, 1, 3 and 7days) for estimation of serum calcium, phosphorous, and vitamin D levels. Results: The results showed a significant increase in serum calcium and phosphorous levels only after 3 hours and 1 day of bone defect, in rabbits receiving water and rabbits receiving pomegranate peel extraction. Serum vitamin D level shows significant increase in all time intervals reaching maximum value after three days in rabbits receiving pomegranate peel extract, while no significant change was observed in rabbits receiving water. Conclusions: Supplementation of pomegranate peel extract can increase vitamin D absorption, thus it may promote the bone healing process.

Background: Pomegranate (PG) fruit (punicagranatum L, Punicaceae contains many bioactive substances that play important role in the treatment of a variety of medical problems. Among PG parts, it was observed that the peel had the most potent antioxidant activity. Objective: To evaluate some serum antioxidants levels in mandibular bone injury healing in rabbits orally supplemented with pomegranate peel extract (PPE). Patients and Methods: Forty-five male rabbits (1-1.2 kg) were used and they were divided into 3 groups; the baseline group consisted of 5 rabbits without creating mandibular bone defects. 20 rabbits were used as a study group with creating mandibular bone defects and they received orally 1ml/day of PPE. Another 20 rabbits were used as a control group with creating mandibular bone defects without receiving PPE. For each rabbit of both study and control groups, a circular defect of 3 mm in diameter was made in the mid labial area of the alveolar bone of the lower right central incisor. Blood samples were taken from the baseline group and both the study and control groups at time intervals; 3hrs, 1, 3, and 7days after bone defect creation, for estimation of serum albumin (Alb), bilirubin (Bili), zinc (Zn), and magnesium (Mg) levels. Results: Serum Bili levels significantly increased 1and 3 days after bone defect creation in both study and control groups, while the levels returned back to baseline in a study group, 7 days after the operation. Serum Alb, Zn, and Mg levels showed a significant decrease in study and control groups, 1 day and 3 days after the operation, while the levels of these parameters returned back to baseline, in a study group, 7 days after bone defect. Conclusion: Supplementation of PPE can affect serum antioxidants and this was accompanied by the increase in the bone healing rate process. Keywords: Pomegranate peel, mandibular bone defect, albumin, bilirubin, divalent cations, antioxidant