Determination of the Protective Activity of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Peel Extract Against Mitomycin-C Induced Toxicity by Spectrophotometric, Electrophoretic Histological and Image Processing Methods

Abstract- Mitomycin-C (MMC) is a chemotherapeutic agent used in cancer treatment but has serious side effects. Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel is rich in antioxidants, phytochemicals, and other bioactive compounds, suggesting potential health benefits. This study aims to evaluate the potential protective effects of pomegranate peel extract against MMC-induced toxicity using spectrophotometric, electrophoretic, histological and image processing methods. In the study, 48 female albino mice (Mus musculus) were divided into six groups and the groups were determined as control, Mitomycin-C (MMC), 150 mg/kg pomegranate peel extract, 300 mg/kg pomegranate peel extract, MMC + 150 mg/kg pomegranate peel extract and MMC + 300 mg/kg pomegranate peel extract. Following the application, blood samples were collected from the mice to determine serum biochemical parameters using spectrophotometric methods and to analyze serum protein expressions via electrophoresis. Additionally, tissue samples from the small intestine and spleen were collected for histological examination. Significant increases in AST enzyme levels were observed in the MMC group, while lower AST enzyme levels were recorded in the MMC + pomegranate peel extract groups.In electrophoretic analyses, it was determined that protein expressions increased only in the MMC-treated group, whereas expressions decreased in the pomegranate peel extract-treated groups and the MMC + 150 mg/kg pomegranate peel extract-treated groups. Histological examinations demonstrated that pomegranate peel extract attenuated tissue damage in the small intestine and spleen caused by MMC. Moreover, Our study has beenreinforcedbyexperimentalresultssupported in detailwithvisual data obtainedthroughgraphicalrepresentations of intensitydistributions of gel images, generatedusingimageprocessingmethods in the MATLAB environment.This study indicates that pomegranate peel extract may have protective effects against MMC toxicity. It is proposed that pomegranate peel extract could be utilized to mitigate the side effects of Mitomycin-C during cancer treatment; however, additional research is required to validate these findings.