Redox Potential of Pomegranate ( Punica granatum ) and Boldo ( Peumus boldus ) Included in the Diets of New Zealand White Rabbits

摘要

Background and Objective: Medicinal plants have been successfully utilized as an alternative treatment to synthetic substances. Now a days, continuous use of such synthetics have been found to be associated with adverse health problems. This study aimed to evaluate the redox potential of the ethanolic extract of pomegranate (Punica granatum) and/or boldo (Peumus boldus) included in the diets of growing white New Zealand male rabbits with the rate of 50 g kg–1. Materials and Methods: Under intensive production system, rabbits were raised in batteries and randomly assigned into 8 groups (15 each). Treatments were control group G1 (basic diet without addition), G2 (Pomegranate peel), G3 (Pomegranate seeds), G4 (Pomegranate seeds+peel, 50:50%), G5 (boldo), G6 (G4+G5, 50:50), G7 (G4+G5, 75:25%, respectively) and G8 (G4+G5, 25:75%, respectively). Blood samples for biochemical analysis were withdrawn fortnightly in a month time following the adaptation period. The chemical composition of the tested plant extracts were measured and the total phenolic compounds were evaluated as gallic acid equivalent by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Results from the current investigation revealed that pomegranate (peel and seeds) and boldo leaves were rich in protein, total lipids, total soluble carbohydrate, ash and phenolic contents. Moreover, for their redox potential and detoxification capacity, rabbit diet containing such materials maintained productive and physiological performance with low mortality rate. Conclusion: In the light of the present findings, it might be concluded that inclusion of such materials in feed for rabbits raised in batteries under intensive production system during growth is beneficial in terms of enhancing their redox potential with a consequent highly positive impact on production and health. Moreover, combination of both materials is positively encourage their use as herbal medicine.