الفهرس 
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Abstract
Background: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an ancient fruit; it has been widely consumed in various cultures for thousands of years. In preliminary laboratory research and human pilot studies, juice of the pomegranate was effective in reducing heart disease risk factors, including LDL oxidation, macrophage oxidative status, and foam cell formation, all of which are steps in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Pomegranate is widely used in therapeutic formulas, cosmetics, and food seasonings. Since ancient times, the pomegranate has been regarded as a “healing food” with numerous beneficial effects in several diseases. Objectives: the aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition of the pomegranate juice, arils and rind, assess the antioxidant activity of the pomegranate juice, arils and rind extracts (Ethyl acetate and n-butanol), determine the effect of diet supplemented with 5, 7.5 and 10% pomegranate juices, arils and rind on the nutritional status in hypercholestrolemic rats and know the effect of this diet on lipid profiles, some liver and kidney functions in the serum of hypercholestrolemic rats. Materials and Methods: pomegranate juice, arils and rind were evaluated their chemical composition (carbohydrate, protein, lipids, minerals and vitamins). The antioxidant activities of pomegranate rind, arils and juice extracts (Ethyl acetate and n-butanol) by DPPH method (radical scavenging method) were determined. Hypercholesterolemic rats groups were fed on basal diet containing 5, 7.5 and 10% pomegranate juices, arils and rind and the remaining groups were positive and negative control, after that the effect of the diet on the nutritional status, lipid profiles (TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C and VLDL-C), liver (ALT and AST) and kidney (creatinine, urea and uric acid) functions in the serum of hypercholestrolemic rats were assessed. Also, histopathological changes were evaluated Results: It was found that pomegranate rind, arils and juice have high antioxidants activities. The body weight gain and food efficiency ratio of the all groups have no significant differences when compared with positive Control, the relative weight of liver and heart decreased in the all groups when compared with positive Control (G2), but there are no significant differences in the mean values of the relative weight of spleen, brain and kidney among the groups. Pomegranate rind, arils and juice improved the serum total cholesterol level in the all groups, and the groups which take high level of pomegranate rind, arils and juice showed the most improvement in the serum total cholesterol level, the all groups have a reduction in serum triglycerides levels in this experiment. The group of pomegranate arils 10% showed the best response. The mean values of serum LDL-C level decreased in the all groups, and it was found that the groups of pomegranate arils and juice 10% showed the best response. All groups have a reduction in serum (VLDL-C) levels in this experiment, and it was observed that the group of pomegranate arils 10% showed the best response. Pomegranate rind, arils and juice increased the (HDL-C) level in blood serum of rats in the all groups, and the high levels showed the best responses. In the kidney functions, pomegranate rind arils and juice had no effect on creatinine level and enhanced the urea and the uric acid levels. Also, they decreased the liver enzymes (AST and ALT). Conclusion: the present study observed that the pomegranate rind, arils and juice have high antioxidants activities and have no effect on nutritional status but they enhanced the lipid profile, the kidney and liver functions in blood serum of rats in the all groups, and the most of best results showed in the high levels of pomegranate rind, arils and juice (10%). Keywords: Pomegranate juice, Pomegranate arils, Pomegranate rind, antioxidants activities and lipid profiles, kidney functions and liver enzymes.