The Beneficial Effects of Pomegranate Juice on Immunity and Intestinal Integrity in Healthy Albino Rats

Abstract

Pomegranate has long been recognized as a "healing food," with significant health benefits in a variety of disorders. It has potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-obesity, and anticancer effects, thus there has been lately a virtual outbreak of interest in the pomegranate as a functional food. Pomegranate may have physiological effects on the intestines, and the gut microbiota plays an essential part in its therapeutic effects. Therefore, we believe that the beneficial effects of pomegranate are intimately tied to the intestine. Hence, we evaluated the immunomodulatory effect and the intestinal health benefits of the administration of pomegranate juice (PJ). Rats received 1 ml of PJ for consecutive 28 days. The present data revealed that PJ administration did not affect the production of TNF-α, INF-γ, and IL-8, but it enhanced the production of IL-4 exerting an anti-inflammatory effect. It increased villus heights and goblet cell numbers. Moreover, it improved mucosal immunity by enhancing the development of germinal center (GC) in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) that is related to the production of efficient IgA. Therefore, pomegranate juice can increase mucosal integrity, improve intestinal morphology, which beneficially alters digestion in the small intestine, and enhance mucosal immunity against pathogens.