Introduction: Free radicals are involved in the development and exacerbation of neurological diseases and antioxidants play a protective role. In this study the effect of oral administration of pomegranate seed extract (PGSE) was investigated on assess the rate of lipid peroxidation and measuring the rate of thiol groups (-SH) in an animal model of chronic ischemic hypoperfusion.

Material & methods: The rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, ischemia group and ischemia group receiving the pomegranate seed extract. For ischemia in the rat, general carotid arteries blocked by means of skin suture with two tight knot around the vessel (top and bottom) and then arteries were completely intersect. Then the rats' brains were extracted to assess the rate of lipid peroxidation and measuring the rate of thiol groups (-SH).

Findings: Our results showed that malondialdehyde and thiol in ischemia group has significantly increased (p< 0.001) than in control group and rate of malondialdehyde and thiol in ischemia group receiving the extract of pomegranate seed  has significantly decreased, respectively (p<0.001) and (p<0.001), than in ischemia group.

Discussion & Conclusion: Pomegranate seed extract possibly with powerful antioxidant properties, can improve the effect of ischemia such as production of free radicals.

.