Anti-proliferative effect of pomegranate peel extracts on bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)

Abstract

Pomegranate peel extracts prepared in our laboratories from a waste of juice fruit processing were tested on bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells to evaluate the effects on viability, oxidative stress and proliferation. The (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay pointed out that the extracts were not cytotoxic at the tested concentrations (0.1, 1.0, and 10 µg/mL). A moderate protective effect against Reactive Oxygen Species production induced by hydrogen peroxide or lipopolysaccharide and a significant anti-proliferative activity against proliferation induced by concanavalin A were observed on cell lines treated with the extracts at 10 μg/mL. Based on these results, pomegranate peel extracts seem promising as feed supplement for dairy cattle, in particular around calving, when the animals are subjected to an increase of the metabolic activity, responsible for oxidative stress and diseases. However, in vivo studies are needed to investigate the stability of the extracts across the bovine gastrointestinal tract barrier.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Pomegranate peel extracts
• agro-industrial by-products
• polyphenols
• peripheral blood mononuclear cells
• anti-proliferative effect
• circular economy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge MIUR (MInistry for education, University and Research) for financial support (Law 232/216, Department of Excellence). The authors are also grateful to SIVAM Company (Casalpusterlengo, LO) that financed part of the research.