Effect of Pomegranate Extracts on the Tissue Covering the Surgically Created Bone Defect on Rabbit’S Mandible

Abstract

Pomegranate is a medicinal herbal that has been reported to promote healing of periodontal tissue due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanism of action. The objective of this study is to evaluate the histological effects of potential effects of pomegranate on the tissue covering surgically created bone defect. 24 rabbits were used in this study;12 rabbits were treated with 0.3g of pomegranate extracts powder by inserting into surgically created bone defect, while the other 12 rabbits were used as baseline control group. The surgical process was performed locally through horizontal incision, 2mm below marginal gingiva, circular bone defect created into rabbit's mandible, 3mm in diameter between the lower two central incisors. Tissue biopsies were obtained from both experimental and control groups at time intervals of 1, 3, 7, and 14 days post operation. Histological analysis of the tissue showed a less severity acute inflammatory reaction, 1day post operation,  in experimental group comparing with the control group, with presence of collagen fibers. While, 3 days post operation, microscopic examination of the experimental showed that acute inflammation reaction changed to chronic by increasing number of macrophages and fibroblasts cells, with re-epithelization, increased number of congested capillaries, and epithelial hyperplasia compared with control group that still filled with acute inflammatory cells. Microscopic section showed dense fibrous tissue capsule separated the incised tissue from healthy one, numerous dilated capillaries, with no inflammatory reaction, 7days post operation, compared with control group that still showed mild inflammation with delicate fibrous tissue. Under light microscope, 14 days post operation. The experimental group showed that endothelial cells are large swollen and form large and small capillaries, fibrous tissue not fully covered the incised area compared with control group, that observed with thin flat epithelial covering the incised area. The results of this study revealed that Pomegranate had rapid wound healing effects, thus the local insertion of this material into the surgical region can be used successfully in periodontal disease treatment and therapy.

Keywords: Pomegranate extracts, bone defect, rabbit mandible, histology.