Pomegranate fruit extract administration in mice induced by formaldehyde to folliculogenesis observation and caspase-3 expression

General population exposure of formaldehyde can occur via inhalation, ingestion due to food and water also dermal contact. Recent studies suggested formaldehyde exposure induce oxidative stress in reproductive system and cause menstrual cycle disorder. Pomegranate is commonly known in Indonesia, often use as a traditional herbal, extract of all part of fruit appear to have protective effect to the damage in the body including the down regulation of apoptosis mechanism due to ellagic acid compound. Oxidative stress was induced by formaldehyde (140 mg/kg/ day p.o) for 12 days consecutively. Mice were treated with pomegranate fruit extract in 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg/BW/day p.o for 12 days after exposure of formaldehyde. On day 25^th, mice were euthanized thenovary tissue were isolated and processed for immunochemistry staining withcaspase-3 antibody and hematoxylin eosin staining. Caspase-3 expression was significantly different in groupswhich treated by pomegranate fruit extract. The number of follicle including primary, secondary, tertiary, and de Graaf follicle is not different in each group. In conclusion pomegranate fruit extract in maximum dose of 200 mg.kg/day per day appears todownregulate the expression of caspase-3 but ineffective in number of follicle in formaldehyde mice model.