Pomegranate as a Potential Natural Medicinal Agent: An Updated Study of its Health Advantages

Abstract

Punica granatum L., the scientific name for the pomegranate, is a member of the Punicaceae family, which is found all over the world. It is regarded as an essential part of the human diet and has numerous health advantages in addition to its strong antioxidant activity. A diet high in antioxidant fruits and vegetables, according to epidemiological research, considerably lowers the incidence of many diseases linked to oxidative stress. This fruits have a variety of sections, including seed, peel, juice, and leaves, all of which have a wealth of potential bioactive substances. The fruits have a high level of flavonoids (luteolin, quercetin, etc.) and polyphenols (gallic acid, ellagic acid, etc.), which gives them antioxidant potential and the ability to scavenge free radicals. It possesses a range of biological properties, including as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, cardio-protective, and antimicrobial potential. The entire fruit has medicinal and therapeutic uses in preventing the development of several malignancies, including prostate, breast, colon, and lung cancers. The fruits are used in traditional medicine to treat conditions like gastrointestinal, endocrine, and cardiovascular problems, among others. Modern investigations have validated a number of traditional medicinal plant properties, making them a source for the creation of novel medication compositions. These traits therefore clearly suggest that the entire pomegranate fruit offers a range of advantages in therapeutic applications and that they might be used in the future to treat severe chronic diseases. The article focuses on the possibility of developing new drugs using the bioactive substances present in pomegranates. Their incidence, production, metabolism, and health effects are all well explored.

References

1. Adaramoye, O.; Erguen, B.; Nitzsche, B.; Höpfner, M.; Jung, K.; Rabien, A. Punicalagin, a polyphenol from pomegranate fruit, induces growth inhibition and apoptosis in human PC-3 and LNCaP cells. Chem. Biol.Interact. 2017, 274, 100–106, doi:10.1016/j.cbi.2017.07.009.

2. ---

   Ahmed AH, Subaiea GM, Eid A, Li L, Seeram NP, Zawia NH. Pomegranate extract modulates processing of amyloid-β precursor protein in an aged Alzheimer’s disease animal model. Curr Alzheimer Res. (2014) 11:834–43.

3. ---

   Akhtar, S.; Ismail, T.; Fraternale, D.; Sestili, P. Pomegranate peel and peel extracts: Chemistry and food features. Food Chem. 2015, 174, 417–425, doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.11.035.

4. ---

   Amulya, Deepu, Manjula, Satheesh, Jiju avanippully, Prakash bhadravathi. Role of Pomegranate in the Management of Cancer. Pomegranate, IntechOpen, 5 Oct 2022, Crossref, doi:10.5772/intechopen.97188.

5. ---

   Aslam MN, Lansky EP, Varani J. 2006. Pomegranate as a cosmeceutical source: Pomegranate fractions promote proliferation and procollagen synthesis and inhibitmatrixmetalloproteinase-1 production in human skin cells. J. Ethnopharmacol. 103:311–18.

6. ---

   Bonesi, M.; Tundis, R.; Sicari, V.; Loizzo, M.R. The juice of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.): Recent studies on its bioactivities. In Quality Control in the Beverage Industry; Grumezescu, A.M., Holban, A.M., Eds.; Academic Press: New York, NY, USA, 2019; Volume 17, pp. 459–489, doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-816681-9.00013-8.

7. ---

   Boussetta, T, Raad, H, Letteron, P, Gougerot-Pocidalo, M.A, Marie, J.C, Driss, F, El-Benna, J, Punicic acid a conjugated linolenic acid inhibits TNFalpha-induced neutrophil hyperactivation and protects from experimental colon inflammation in rats. PLoS ONE 2009, 4, e6458.

8. ---

   Ceramella, J.; Caruso, A.; Occhiuzzi, M.A.; Iacopetta, D.; Barbarossa, A.; Rizzuti, B.; Dallemagne, P.; Rault, S.; El-Kashef, H.; Saturnino, C.; et al. Benzothienoquinazolinones as new multi-target scaffolds: Dual inhibition of human Topoisomerase I and tubulin polymerization. Eur. J. Med. Chem. 2019, 181, 111583.

9. ---

   Chen, J.; Liao, C.; Ouyang, X.; Kahramanoğlu, I.; Gan, Y.; Li, M. Antimicrobial Activity of Pomegranate Peel and Its Applications on Food Preservation. J. Food Qual. 2020, 2020, 8850339.

10. ---

    Cheng, J.T, Liu, I.M. Stimulatory effect of caffeic acid on alpha1A-adrenoceptors to increase glucose uptake into cultured C2C12 cells. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch. Pharmacol. 2000, 362, 122–127.

11. ---

    Dhumal, S.S.; Karale, A.R.; Jadhav, S.B.; Kad, V.P. Recent Advances and the Developments in the Pomegranate Processing and Utilization: A Review. J. Agric. Crop Sci. 2014, 1, 1–7.doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2009.04.012

12. ---

    Dorais, M.; Ehret, D.L.; Papadopoulos, A.P. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) health components: from the seed to the consumer. Phytochem. Rev. 2008, 7, 231–250

13. ---

    Faria, A.; Calhau, C. The Bioactivity of Pomegranate: Impact on Health and Disease. Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr. 2011, 51, 626–634.

14. ---

    Fazio, A.; Iacopetta, D.; La Torre, C.; Ceramella, J.; Muia, N.; Catalano, A.; Carocci, A.; Sinicropi, M.S. Finding solutions for agricultural wastes: Antioxidant and antitumor properties of pomegranate Akko peel extracts and beta-glucan recovery. Food Funct. 2018, 9, 6618–6631.

15. ---

    Feng, Y.Z.; Chen, D.J.; Song, M.T.; Zhao, Y.L.; Li, Z.H. Assessment and utilization of pomegranate varieties resources. J. Fruit Sci. 1998, 15, 370–373.

16. ---

    Gouda M, Moustafa A, Hussein L, Hamza M. Three-week dietary intervention using apricots, pomegranate juice or/and fermented sour sobya and impact on biomarkers of antioxidative activity, oxidative stress and erythrocytic glutathione transferase activity among adults. Nutr J. (2016) 15:52. doi: 10.1186/s12937-016-0173-x

17. ---

    Haidari M, Ali M, Casscells SW III, Madjid M. Pomegranate (Punica granatum) purified polyphenol extract inhibits influenza virus and has a synergistic effect with oseltamivir. Phytomedicine. (2009) 16:1127–36. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2009.06.002

18. ---

    Hamid Reza Rahimi, Mohammad Arastoo and Seyed Nasser Ostad. A Comprehensive Review of Punica granatum (Pomegranate) Properties inToxicological, Pharmacological, Cellular and Molecular Biology Researches Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research (2012), 11 (2): 385-400

19. ---

    Hamid, I.; Elothmani, D.; Hanine, H.; Oukabli, A.; Mehinagic, E. Comparative study of phenolic compounds and their antioxidant attributes of eighteen pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars grown in Morocco. Arab. J. Chem. 2017, 10, S2675–S2684, doi:10.1016/j.arabjc.2013.10.011

20. ---

    Hosseini B, Saedisomeolia A, Wood LG, Yaseri M, Tavasoli S. Effects of pomegranate extract supplementation on inflammation in overweight and obese individuals: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. (2016) 22:44–50. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.12.003

21. ---

    Hossin FLA. Effect of pomegranate (Punica granatum) peels and it’s extract on obese hypercholesterolemic rats. Pak J Nutr. (2009) 8:1251–7.

22. ---

    Hounsome, N.; Hounsome, B.; Tomos, D.; Edwards-Jones, G. Plant metabolites and nutritional quality of vegetables. J. Food Sci. 2008, 73, R48–R65.

23. ---

    Hsu J, Skover G, GoldmanMP. 2007. Evaluating the efficacy in improving facial photodamage with a mixture of topical antioxidants. J. Drugs Dermatol. 6:1141–48

24. ---

    Huang, T.H.W, Peng, G, Kota, B.P, Li, G.Q, Yamahara, J, Roufogalis, B.D, Li, Y.H, Anti-diabetic action of Punica granatum flower extract: Activation of PPAR-gamma and identification of an active component. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 2005, 207, 160–169.

25. ---

    Jalikop, S.H. Breeding of pomegranate and annonaceous fruits. Acta Hortic. 2011, 890, 191–197,doi:10.17660/actahortic.2011.890.25.

26. ---

    Jeune MA, Kumi-Diaka J, Brown J. Anticancer activities of pomegranate extracts and genistein in human breast cancer cells. J Med Food. (2005) 8:469–75. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2005.8.469

27. ---

    Jing T, Liao J, Shen K, Chen X, Xu Z, Tian W, et al. Protective effect of urolithin a on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice via modulation of inflammation and oxidative stress. Food Chem Toxicol. (2019) 129:108–14. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.04.031

28. ---

    Johanningsmeier, S. D., & Harris, G. K. (2011). Pomegranate as a functional food and nutraceutical source. Annual review of food science and technology, 2, 181-201.

29. ---

    Karaaslan, M.; Vardin, H.; Varliklioz, S.; Yilmaz, F.M. Antiproliferative and antioxidant activities of Turkish pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) accessions. Int. J. Food Sci. Technol. 2014, 49, 82–90.

30. ---

    Larrosa M, González-Sarrías A, Yáñez-Gascón MJ, Selma MV, Azorín-Ortuño M, Toti S, et al. Anti-inflammatory properties of a pomegranate extract and its metabolite urolithin-A in a colitis rat model and the effect of colon inflammation on phenolic metabolism. J Nutr Biochem. (2010)21:717–25.

31. ---

    LaRue, J.H. Growing Pomegranates in California. University of California, Leaflet 2459. 1980. Available online: http://ucanr.edu/sites/Pomegranates/files/122804.pdf (accessed on 30 December 2019).

32. ---

    Lee, C.J, Chen, L.G, Liang,W.L, Wang, C.C, Anti-inflammatory effects of Punica granatum Linne in vitro and in vivo. Food Chem. 2010, 118, 315–322.

33. ---

    Leporini, M.; Loizzo, M.R.; Tundis, R.; La Torre, C.; Fazio, A.; Plastina, P. Non-Pungent n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA)-Derived Capsaicin Analogues as Potential Functional Ingredients with Antioxidant and Carbohydrate-Hydrolysing Enzyme Inhibitory Activities. Antioxidants 2019, 8, 162.

34. ---

    Li, Y, Wen, S, Kota, B.P, Peng, G, Li, G.Q, Yamahara, J, Roufogalis, B.D, Punica granatum flower extract, a potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, improves postprandial hyperglycemia in Zucker diabetic fatty rats. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2005, 99, 239–244.

35. ---

    McFarlin, B.K.; Strohacker, K.A.; Kueht, M.L. Pomegranate seed oil consumption during a period of high-fat feeding reduces weight gain and reduces type 2 diabetes risk in CD-1 mice. Br. J. Nutr. 2009, 102, 54–59.

36. ---

    Melgarejo, P.; Salazar, D.M.; Artes, F. Organic acids and sugars composition of harvested pomegranate fruits. Eur. Food Res. Tech. 2000, 211, 185–190, doi:10.1007/s002170050021.

37. ---

    Naz S, Siddiqi R, Ahmad S, Rasool SA, Sayeed SA. Antibacterial activity directed isolation of compounds from Punica granatum. J Food Sci. (2007) 72:M341–5. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2007. 00533.x

38. ---

    Negro, C, Longo, L, Vasapollo, G, De Bellis, L, Miceli, A, Biochemical, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Pomegranate Fruits Growing in Southern Italy (Salento, Apulia). Acta Aliment. 2012, 41,190–199

39. ---

    Noda Y, Kaneyuki T, Mori A and Packer L. Antioxidant activities of pomegranate fruit extract and its anthocyanidins: delphinidin, cyanidin, and pelargonidin. J. Agric. Food Chem. (2002) 50: 166-171.

40. ---

    Nur Hanani, Z.A.; Aelma Husna, A.B.; Nurul Syahida, S.; Nor Khaizura, M.A.B.; Jamilah, B. Effect of different fruit peels on the functional properties of gelatin/polyethylene bilayer films for active packaging. Food Package Shelf Life 2018, 18, 201–211.

41. ---

    Ohshima H, Tazawa H, Sylla BS and Sawa T. Prevention of human cancer by modulation of chronic inflammatory process. Mutat. Res. (2005) 591: 110-122.

42. ---

    Okamoto JM, Hamamoto YO, Yamato H and Yoshimura H. Pomegranate extract improves a depressive state and bone properties in menopausal syndrome model ovariectomized mice. J. Ethnopharmacol. (2004) 92: 93-101.

43. ---

    Pande, G.; Akoh, C.C. Pomegranate cultivars (Punica granatum L.). In Nutritional Composition of Fruit Cultivars, 1st ed.; Simmonds, M.S.J., Preedy, V.R., Eds.; Academic Press: New York, NY, USA, 2016; pp.667–689.

44. ---

    Pantuck, A.J.; Leppert, J.T.; Zomorodian, N.; Aronson, W.; Hong, J.; Barnard, R.J.; Seeram, N.; Liker, H.; Wang, H.; Elasho_, R.; et al. Phase II study of pomegranate juice for men with rising prostate-specific antigen following surgery or radiation for prostate cancer. Clin. Cancer Res. 2006, 12, 4018–4026.

45. ---

    Pareek, S.; Valero, D.; Serrano, M. Postharvest biology and technology of pomegranate. J. Sci. Food Agric. 2015, 95, 2360–2379, doi:10.1002/jsfa.7069.

46. ---

    Plastina, P, Benincasa, C, Perri, E, Fazio, A, Augimeri, G, Poland, M, Witkamp, R, Meijerink, J, Identification of hydroxytyrosyl oleate, a derivative of hydroxytyrosol with anti-inflammatory properties, in olive oil by-products. Food Chem. 2019, 279, 105–113.

47. ---

    Plastina, P.; Apriantini, A.; Meijerink, J.; Witkamp, R.; Gabriele, B.; Fazio, A. In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory and Radical Scavenging Properties of Chinotto (Citrus myrtifolia Raf.) Essential Oils. Nutrients 2018, 10, 783.

48. ---

    Ruffo, M, Parisi, O.I, Scrivano, L, Restuccia, D, Amone, F, Sinicropi, M.S, Malivindi, R, Aiello, G, Puoci, F, Role of Calabrian Black Rice in Metabolic Syndrome: In vitro Evaluation of Oryza sativa L. Indica Biological Properties. Curr. Nutr. Food Sci. 2018, 14, 121–127.

49. ---

    Russo, M.; Fanali, C.; Tripodo, G.; Dugo, P.; Muleo, R.; Dugo, L.; De Gara, L.; Mondello, L. Analysis of phenolic compounds in different parts of pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruit by HPLC-PDA-ESI/MS and evaluation of their antioxidant activity: Application to different Italian varieties. Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 2018,410, 3507–3520, doi:10.1007/s00216-018-0854-8.

50. ---

    Saeed, W.T. Pomegranate cultivars as affected by Paclobutrazol, salt stress and change in fingerprints. Bull.Fac. Agric. Cairo Univ. 2005, 56, 581–615.

51. ---

    Saturnino, C.; Caruso, A.; Longo, P.; Capasso, A.; Pingitore, A.; Caroleo, M.C.; Cione, E.; Perri, M.; Nicolo, F.; Nardo, V.M.; et al. Crystallographic study and biological evaluation of 1,4-dimethyl-N-alkylcarbazoles. Curr. Top. Med. Chem. 2015, 15, 973–979.

52. ---

    Seeram NP, Adams LS, Henning SM, Niu Y, Zhang Y, Nair MG, et al. In vitro antiproliferative, apoptotic and antioxidant activities of punicalagin, ellagic acid and a total pomegranate tannin extract are enhanced in combination with other polyphenols as found in pomegranate juice. J Nutr Biochem. (2005) 16:360–7. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2005.01.006

53. ---

    Seeram NP, Schulman RN and Heber D. Pomegranates: Ancient Roots to Modern Medicine. Taylor and Francis Group, Boca Raton (2006) 5-8.

54. ---

    Singh, B.; Singh, J.P.; Kaur, A.; Singh, N. Phenolic compounds as beneficial phytochemicals in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel: A review. Food Chem. 2018, 261, 75–86.

55. ---

    Sowmya kote, Sunder kote & lakshminarayan Nagesh. Effect of pomegranate juice on Dental Plaque Microorganisms. Anc Sci life,2011 Oct-Dec:31(2):49-51[PudMed].

56. ---

    Syed DN, Malik A, Hadi N, Sarfaraz S, Afaq F, Mukhtar H. 2006. Photochemopreventive effect of pomegranate fruit extract on UVA-mediated activation of cellular pathways in normal human epidermal keratinocytes. Photochem. Photobiol. 82:398–405

57. ---

    Turrini, E.; Ferruzzi, L.; Fimognari, C. Potential effects of pomegranate polyphenols in cancer prevention and therapy. Oxid. Med. Cell. Longev. 2015, 2015, 1–19, doi:10.1155/2015/938475.

58. ---

    Vasantha Kumar, G.K. Pomegranate cultivation in Karnataka state, India—A profitable venture. Acta Hortic. 2009, 818, 55–60,doi:10.17660/actahortic.2009.818.6.

59. ---

    Viuda-Martos, M.; Fernandez-Lopez, J.; Perez-Alvarez, J.A. Pomegranate and its Many Functional Components as Related to Human Health: A Review. Compr. Rev. Food Sci. Food Saf. 2010, 9, 63654.

60. ---

    Viuda-Martos, M.; Fernández-López, J.; Pérez-Álvarez, J.A. Pomegranate and its many functional components as related to human health: A review. Compr. Rev. Food Sci. Food Saf. 2010, 9, 635–654, doi:10.1111/j.1541-4337.2010.00131.x.

61. ---

    Wafa, B.A.; Makni, M.; Ammar, S.; Khannous, L.; Hassana, A.B.; Bouaziz, M.; Es-Safi, N.E.; Gdoura, R. Antimicrobial e_ect of the Tunisian Nana variety Punica granatum L. extracts against Salmonella enterica (serovars Kentucky and Enteritidis) isolated from chicken meat and phenolic composition of its peel extract. Int. J. Food Microbiol. 2017, 241, 123–131.

62. ---

    Williamson, G. The role of polyphenols in modern nutrition, Nutr. Bull. 2017, 42, 226–235,doi:10.1111/nbu.12278.

63. ---

    Zahin M, Aqil F and Ahmad I. Broad spectrum antimutagenic activity of antioxidant active fraction of Punica granatum L. peel extracts. Mutat. Res. (2010) 703: 99-107.

64. ---

    Zaid MA, Afaq F, Syed DN, Dreher M, Mukhtar H. 2007. Inhibition of UVB-mediated oxidative stress and markers of photoaging in immortalizedHaCaT keratinocytes by pomegranate polyphenol extract POMx. Photochem. Photobiol. 83:882–88

65. ---

    Zarfeshany A, Asgary S, Javanmard SH. Potent health effects of pomegranate. Adv Biomed Res 2014;3:100.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management – Thanjavur (NIFTEM-T), Tamil Nadu – 613005, India

*Corresponding author. Email: baskaran@iifpt.edu.in

Editor Information

Editors and Affiliations

Department of Academics and Human Resource Development

National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management, Thanjavur (NIFTEM-T)

(An Institute of National Importance)

Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Govt. of India

Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. Pin Code – 613005

Dr. S. Vignesh

Dr. N. Baskaran

Dr. M. Loganathan

Rights and permissions

To request permission, please contact Skyfox Publishing Group

Copyright Information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Skyfox Publishing Group