Comparative effects of dietary pomegranate peel and Aloe vera gel on growth, metabolic pathways, antioxidant status, molecular docking, and intestinal integrity in growing rabbits

Background Aloe vera gel is rich in polysaccharides (acemannan), phenolic compounds, vitamins, and minerals, while Pomegranate peel ( Punica granatum L.) is a valuable source of punicalagin, polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This study examined the impact of these bioactive-rich supplements on growth performance, metabolic activity, digestive enzyme function, antioxidant status, levels of nucleic acids and proteins, as well as gastrointestinal histomorphometry in growing rabbits. Materials and methods Thirty male New Zealand White rabbits (56 ± 3 days) at the start of the trial, corresponding to the early post-weaning/growing phase in New Zealand White rabbits. Rabbits were randomly divided into three groups ( n = 10) and treated for 14 weeks. The control group (C) received a basal diet; the pomegranate group (P) received the basal diet supplemented with 4.5% pomegranate peel; and the Aloe vera group (A) received the basal diet with drinking water containing Aloe vera gel (500 mg/L). Results Both supplemented groups exhibited significantly higher body weight and improved metabolic indices, including elevated blood glucose, total protein and lipid profile, compared with the control group ( p < 0.05). Activities of amylase, lipase, and protease increased significantly, with stronger stimulation observed in the pomegranate group. Antioxidant assays revealed higher total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and catalase (CAT) activity, accompanied by reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in both supplemented groups ( p < 0.05). DNA and total protein concentrations were also elevated, particularly in the pomegranate group. Histomorphometric analysis of the duodenum showed significant improvements in villus height, crypt depth, and glandular area ( p < 0.05). Aloe vera supplementation exerted greater effects on villus and crypt architecture, whereas pomegranate peel predominantly enhanced glandular development. Molecular docking simulations revealed that acemannan and punicalagin possess high binding affinities for pro-apoptotic and antioxidant targets. Specifically, acemannan exhibited markedly lower binding energies than punicalagin for both BAX (−10.627 vs. –7.540 kcal/mol) and SOD (−10.544 vs. –7.663 kcal/mol). These results suggest that acemannan may exert superior bioactivity by effectively modulating BAX-mediated apoptosis and augmenting SOD-driven antioxidant defense through stable protein-ligand complexation. Discussion In conclusion, dietary supplementation with pomegranate peel or Aloe vera significantly improved growth performance, optimized metabolic activity, and enhanced intestinal morphology in growing rabbits. Each supplement provided unique physiological benefits, supported by molecular docking evidence linking their bioactive compounds to antioxidant and cytoprotective mechanisms.