Potency of pomegranate extract (Punica Granatum L) to heat shock Protein27, Laminin 5 γ2, and thickening of pulmonal artery smooth muscle in pulmonary arterial hypertension rat models

Congenital Heart Disease’s related Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) frequently
develops into progressive, causing vascular proliferation and ending with heart failure and death.
Definitive therapy on anatomical defect often delayed due to facilities and infrastructure. Medical
therapy is needed to decrease morbidity and mortality during awaiting definitive therapy.
Pomegranate extract has antiproliferation activity through antiinflammation, ACE inhibitor, and
antioxidant mechanism. The antifibrotic effect can be evaluated by the decreasement of cells
expressing HSP27 and Laminin 5 γ2, and thickening of smooth muscle pulmonal artery.
Purpose: Knowing the effect of pomegranate extract (Punica Granatum L) in cells expressing HSP27
and Laminin 5 γ2, and thickening of smooth muscle PAH rat models.
Method: This randomized post-test only control group carried out on 24 paraffin block from
monocrotaline induced male Sprague Dawley rats. The monocrotaline dose is 60 mg/kg body weight.
The amount of cells expressing HSP27 and Laminin 5 γ2, and thickening of smooth muscle evaluated
on week 2 and week 4.
Result: There are significant difference on cells expressing HSP27 and Laminin 5 γ2, and thickening
of smooth muscle between 2 weeks treatment by pomegranate extract group and 4 weeks treatment
group lower than controls.
Conclusion: Pomegranate extract decrease cells expressing HSP27 and Laminin 5 γ2, and inhibit
thickening of smooth muscle on PAH rat models.