DO PUNICALAGINS HAVE POSSIBLE IMPACT ON SECRETION OF STEROID HORMONES BY PORCINE OVARIAN GRANULOSA CELLS?

Abstract

Punicalagin is a major component responsible for pomegranate's antioxidant properties. Punicalagin is the predominant ellagitannin of Punica granatum and present in two isomeric forms; punicalagin α and β. Punicalagins are metabolised to ellagic acid (antioxidant) and microorganisms present in colon can metabolize ellagic acid to urolithins – each other substances could be responsible for effect on cell intracellular mechanism. The aim of our study was to observe the effect of punicalagins on secretion of steroids hormones – progesterone and 17β-estradiol. Ovarian granulosa cells were cultivated during 24h without (control group) and with various doses (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 µg.ml-1) of pomegranate compounds – punicalagins. Steroid hormones progesterone and 17β-estradiol were evaluated by ELISA. Obtained results showed that the secretion of progesterone and 17β-estradiol by ovarian granulosa cells was not significantly (P≥0.05) influenced by punicalagins. In this pilot study no effects of punicalagins on porcine ovarian granulosa cells were found.