POLYPHENOL-RICH POMEGRANATE EXTRACT AS A POTENTIAL MODULATOR OF STEROIDOGENESIS IN HUMAN OVARIAN CELLS

Abstract

Pomegranate represents a rich source of phytocompounds with high medicinal value. Nowadays, many studies have shown that the pomegranate extract also possesses anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells, thus leading to increased popularity as a functional food and nutraceuticals. The aim of the study was to determine the biological effect of dry pomegranate extract (at concentrations 5, 10, 20 and 40 µg/ml; for 24h) on the viability of ovarian cells and the secretion of steroid hormones. Cultures of human ovarian granulosa cells (HGL5) and human ovarian carcinoma cells (OVCAR-3) were used such as a model cell system. The metabolic activity was evaluated by AlamarBlueTM assay, the release of steroid hormones was assayed by the ELISA method. Experimental results indicated a significant (P≤0.001) increase of proliferation in HGL5 cells after the addition of the extract at the concentrations 5, 10 and 20 µg/ml. Moreover, the number of viable OVCAR-3 cells significantly (P≤0.05; P≤0.01; P≤0.001) decreased after the addition of the extract at the concentrations 10, 20 and 40 µg/ml compared to the control. In addition, the secretion of 17ß-estradiol by the HGL5 cells was significantly (P≤0.05; P≤0.001) increased at all used concentrations of the extract. Despite to increasing of the 17ß-estradiol secretion, progesterone levels produced by the HGL5 cells were not significantly (P≥0.05) affected at all used concentrations of the extract. The current study provided experimental evidence that the pomegranate extract might be a promising candidate as a potential modulator of steroidogenesis and as a potential chemoprotective agent.