Pomegranate Seeds and Peel Ethanolic Extracts Anticancer Potentials and Related Genetic, Histological, Immunohistochemical, Apoptotic and Oxidative Stress Profiles: In vitro Study

Abstract

Introduction Owing to their great quantity of hydrolyzable anthocyanins and tannins, the peel and seeds of pomegranate are edible and possess potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. This work aims to trace the pomegranate seed and peel ethanolic extracts’ anticancer activity against liver cancer cell line, namely HepG2 and related histopathological, immunohistochemical, genetic and oxidative stress profile. Methods In vitro study for both seed and peel extract showed the prevalence of phenols, polyphenols and acids, those have anti-proliferative potential against liver cancer cell line (HepG2) with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of seed significantly reduced that of peel. Toxicity of test extracts was concentration dependent and accompanied with cell cycle arrest and cell death at theG0/G1 and S phases but not at the G2/M phase. Cell arrest was supplemented with raised ROS, MDA and decreased SOD, GSH and Catalase. Results and discussion Apoptosis-related genes showed significant up-expression of pro-apoptotic gene ( P53 ), Cy-C , Bax , and casp-3 and down expression of anti-apoptotic gene ( Bcl-2 ). Also, Casp-3 and P53 proteins were substantially expressed under the effect of test extracts. Histopathological study demonstrated that the untreated cells (control group) were regular cells with nuclear pleomorphism and hyperchromatic nuclei, while seed and peel extracts-treated cells showed necrosis, mixed euchromatin and heterochromatin, intra-nuclear eosinophilic structures, burst cell membranes, and the shrunken apoptotic cells with nuclear membranes and irregular cells. Finally, PCNA gene detected by immunohistochemistry was down regulated significantly under the effect of seed extract treatment than in case of cell medication with peel extract.

Pomegranate peel: Bioactivities as antimicrobial and cytotoxic agents

“…Another study reported that a PPE‐treated hepatic cancer cell (HepG2) revealed necrosis and caused cell membranes and intranuclear eosinophilic structures with nuclear membranes to burst. Under the effect of 80% ethanol extract, an upregulation in the expression of pro‐apoptotic gene and downregulation in the expression of anti‐apoptotic gene were substantially expressed (Nasr et al., 2023 ). In a study of Parameswari et al.…”

Pomegranate Peel Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Properties, Methods of Extraction, and Its Application: A Comprehensive Review

“…Phytochemicals are ingestible components of plants that have cancer-fighting and cancerpreventive properties. 36 Li et al 37 examined the effects of punicalagin and ellagic acids on the cell cycle, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial trans in HepG2 cells (in vitro). The experimental group received final punicalagin and ellagic acid concentrations of 50 and 100 μM.…”

“…Uncontrolled cell division characterizes cancer, a genetic ailment. Phytochemicals are ingestible components of plants that have cancer-fighting and cancer-preventive properties …”

“…Phytochemicals are ingestible components of plants that have cancer-fighting and cancer-preventive properties. 36 …”

Laser Ablation-Generated Crystalline Selenium Nanoparticles Prevent Damage of DNA and Proteins Induced by Reactive Oxygen Species and Protect Mice against Injuries Caused by Radiation-Induced Oxidative Stress

“…Oxidative stress is a pathological state of the body, which is characterized by a change in redox homeostasis and the prevalence of oxidative and destructive processes [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Ionizing radiation is a classical influence leading to the beginning of the formation of oxidative stress.…”