Radiomodulatory Activity of Punica granatum L. Peel Extract in Ex Vivo Models of Radiation-Induced Oxidative and Genotoxic Damage

Ionizing radiation induces oxidative and genotoxic stress through reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, resulting in cellular lipid and DNA damage. This study evaluated the radiomodifying activity of an ethanolic pomegranate peel extract (Punica granatum L.) using ex vivo Wistar rat liver homogenates and primary lymphocyte cultures. Liver homogenates were exposed to 1–6 Gy X-rays, and lipid peroxidation was assessed by malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Lymphocyte cultures were exposed to 10 Gy and evaluated using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. Post-irradiation treatment with 1250 µg/mL extract decreased the median MDA value from 42.3 to 27.1 nmol/g wet tissue, corresponding to a 35.9% reduction relative to the irradiated untreated control (p < 0.05). In irradiated lymphocyte cultures, treatment with 5, 2.5, and 0.1 mg/mL extract yielded median percentages of micronucleated binucleated cells of 32.0%, 38.0%, and 42.0%, respectively, compared with 56.0% in the irradiated untreated control. The significant reduction occurred at 5 mg/mL (42.9%; p < 0.001). No significant increase in this endpoint was observed in non-irradiated extract-treated cultures. These findings highlight the ex vivo models as a useful platform for preliminary screening of botanical extracts, bioactive compounds, and pharmaceutical formulations before in vivo evaluation.