Protective effect of Fragarria ananassa and Vaccinium corymbosum fruit extracts against L-arginine induced acute pancreatitis in rats

The study was aimed to evaluate the protective effects of alcoholic extracts of Strawberry and Blueberry fruits [AESF and AEBF] in acute pancreatitis in rats. Treatment groups received AESF and AEBF at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg for 7 days with prior injections of L-arginine on 5th day. Biochemical parameters were estimated in serum and pancreatic tissue samples. Histopathological studies and DNA fragmentation assay were carried out in isolated pancreatic tissue. The results of the study indicated that treatment of AESF and AEBF exhibited a significant dose dependent protective effect. Upon the treatment, anti-oxidant enzymes were significantly (*p<0.05) increased. Biochemical results were correlated with the histopathological findings. In addition, the DNA fragmentation assay showed an intact DNA in pancreatic cells of treated groups. In conclusion, berry fruit extracts exerted a potential protective effect against L-arginine induced damage in rat pancreas, at least in part, due to its antioxidant properties.