Pakistan J. Zool., vol. 45(5), pp. 1343-1349, 2013 Effect of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Juice and Methanolic Peel Extract on Testis of Male Rats Mohamed A. Dkhil 1,2 , Saleh Al-Quraishy 1 and Ahmed E. Abdel Moneim 2 * 1 Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 2 Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt. Abstract.- Although only recently Punica granatum (pomegranate) has been acclaimed for its health benefits, this fruit has long been cultivated and consumed, as a fresh fruit or in the form of beverage, especially in the Mediterranean region. In the present study, the antioxidant effects of the methanolic extract of pomegranate peels (MEPP) and pomegranate juice (PJ) were evaluated in normal male rats. Also, there is no evidence about the positive and/or negative effect of pomegranate and/or its extracts on male fertility. In order to evaluate the beneficial effect of PJ and MEPP on lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide levels in testicular of rats. In addition, non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant molecules as glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were estimated. Also, testosterone, follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were also evaluated in the serum of rats. The results revealed that both MEPP and PJ have potent antioxidant activity by reducing lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide formation in testis tissues of rats. Those activities were extended to non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant defense components such as GSH, CAT, SOD, GR, GST and GPx. Additionally, MEPP and PJ caused high elevation in male sex hormones as testosterone, follicular stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. The results obtained showed that MEPP and PJ may contain some biologically active components that may be active against oxidative stress, and this may be the basis for its traditional use for environmental toxins. Key words: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), oxidants/antioxidants status, sex hormones, testis, rats. INTRODUCTION Sexual dysfunctions increase with ageing and etiological factors, including degenerative diseases, increase in injuries and stress associated with industrialized lifestyles. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive oxidizing agents belonging to the class of free radicals. The production of ROS in various organs including the testis is a normal physiological event; however, the alterations in their synthesis stimulate the oxidation and DNA damage of cells (Sikka, 1996). The plasma membrane of sperms contains a high amount of unsaturated fatty acids. Therefore, it is particularly susceptible to peroxidative damage. The lipid peroxidation destroys the structure of the lipid matrix in the membranes of spermatozoa and it is associated with loss of motility and the defects of membrane integrity (Sanocka and Kurpisz, 2004; Henkel, 2005). Hence, the application of ROS ______________________________ * Corresponding author: aest1977@helwan.edu.eg 0030-9923/2013/0005-1343 $ 8.00/0 Copyright 2013 Zoological Society of Pakistan scavengers is likely to improve sperm function (Sikka, 1996; Vernet et al., 2004). Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has been used in the folk medicine of many cultures especially in the Middle East. Pomegranate is rich in antioxidant of polyphenolic class which includes tannins and anthocynins and flavonoids (de Nigris et al., 2007; Ricci et al., 2006). The content of soluble polyphenols in pomegranate juice varies within the limits of 0.2% to 0.1% including mainly tannins, ellagic tannins, anthocyanins, catechins, gallic and ellagic acids (Gil et al., 2000). There are many evidences that flavonoids interact with various biological system (Lairon and Amiot, 1999). It is widely reported that pomegranate exhibits antivirus, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, anti cancer and antiproliferative activities (Faria et al., 2006; Abdel Moneim, 2012, 2013). The current study aims to evaluate the beneficial effect of juice and peel extract of pomegranate on testis and male fertility that may makes it one of the most important foods for the future.