Anti-glycation, antiplatelet and antioxidant effects of different pomegranate parts

Platelet aggregation and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and oxidative stress are known as key factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases and diabetic complications. In this context, fruit and vegetable consumption, good sources of antioxidant compounds have been largely reported as an effective way of preventing human against these diseases. The current study focuses on the evaluation of antioxidant, antiplatelet and anti-glycation activities of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) flowers (PF), leaves (PL), peel (PP) juice (PJ) and seeds oil (PSO).

Antioxidant activities was measured against ABTS radical and lipid peroxidation. Antiglycation activity was determined using the formation of AGE fluorescence intensity in the BSA/ribose system. Antiplatelet activity was measured in platelet rich plasma (PRP) against adenosine diphosphate (ADP), Collagen and arachidonic acid (AA).

PF extract displayed the highest antioxidant activity against ABTS and lipid peroxidation with IC₅₀ values of 0.7 mg/mL and 0.63 mg/mL respectively. For anti-glycation activity, PP, PF and PL inhibited moderately the pentosidine-like AGEs formation compared to positive controls with AGE-IC₅₀ value of 0.4 mg/mL. PJ and PSO haven't any anti-AGE effect. All the extracts selectively inhibited platelet aggregation caused by one, two or three inducers in dose dependent manner. PF was the most potent inhibitor caused by all three inducers, with inhibitory effects ranging from 35.6 to 66.6%. PP and PJ exhibited antiplatelet effect against both ADP and collagen and PL and PSO only against AA.

These results suggest that some pomegranate extracts exert potential in vitro anti-glycative and antiplatelet activities.