Pomegranate and its Many Functional Components as Related to Human Health: A Review

Pomegranate Seeds and Peel Ethanolic Extracts Anticancer Potentials and Related Genetic, Histological, Immunohistochemical, Apoptotic and Oxidative Stress Profiles: In vitro Study

Introduction

Owing to their great quantity of hydrolyzable anthocyanins and tannins, the peel and seeds of pomegranate are edible and possess potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. This work aims to trace the pomegranate seed and peel ethanolic extracts' anticancer activity against liver cancer cell line, namely HepG2 and related histopathological, immunohistochemical, genetic and oxidative stress profile.

Methods

In vitro study for both seed and peel extract showed the prevalence of phenols, polyphenols and acids, those have anti-proliferative potential against liver cancer cell line (HepG2) with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of seed significantly reduced that of peel. Toxicity of test extracts was concentration dependent and accompanied with cell cycle arrest and cell death at theG0/G1 and S phases but not at the G2/M phase. Cell arrest was supplemented with raised ROS, MDA and decreased SOD, GSH and Catalase.

Results and discussion

Apoptosis-related genes showed significant up-expression of pro-apoptotic gene (P53), Cy-C, Bax, and casp-3 and down expression of anti-apoptotic gene (Bcl-2). Also, Casp-3 and P53 proteins were substantially expressed under the effect of test extracts. Histopathological study demonstrated that the untreated cells (control group) were regular cells with nuclear pleomorphism and hyperchromatic nuclei, while seed and peel extracts-treated cells showed necrosis, mixed euchromatin and heterochromatin, intra-nuclear eosinophilic structures, burst cell membranes, and the shrunken apoptotic cells with nuclear membranes and irregular cells. Finally, PCNA gene detected by immunohistochemistry was down regulated significantly under the effect of seed extract treatment than in case of cell medication with peel extract.

Morphological, Biochemical, and Molecular Diversity of an Indian Ex Situ Collection of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)

Pomegranate (Punica granatum, L.) is a fruit tree that is increasingly popular worldwide due to the health-related properties of the fruit juice. While several studies highlighted the rich phytochemical diversity, few efforts have been devoted to an integrative understanding of the level of diversity of this species. This study investigated the diversity of 40 pomegranate accessions in an Indian ex situ collection by using twenty-nine morphological traits, six biochemical parameters, and twenty-nine Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) markers. Among the evaluated traits, fruit volume (23.34% CV), fruit weight (21.12% CV), and fruit color (*a) (22.69 % CV) largely contributed to the morphological classification. Based on Mahalanobis D2 distance and Tocher's clustering, the 40 pomegranate accessions were grouped into eight clusters, partly consistent with their origin. Specifically, cultivars introduced from foreign countries were present in distinct clusters. The SSR marker analysis generated 66 alleles. The observed heterozygosity values ranged from 0.05 to 0.63, with a mean value of 0.30. Maximum molecular genetic dissimilarity was observed between 'IC-318720' and 'Gul-e-Shah Red' (0.30). The neighbor-joining dendrogram separated wild accessions from cultivated varieties. The combination of morphological, biochemical, and molecular characterization allowed for comprehensively characterizing the pomegranate diversity and provided information on the relationships between the different aspects of the diversity. This work also suggests that the origin of the accessions is an important factor of discrimination and that the level of admixture between local and foreign material is currently limited.

Effects of supplementation of pomegranate processing by-products and waste cooking oils as alternative feed resources in broiler nutrition

Agricultural residues can be used as alternative feed sources in industrial chicken production. The impacts of different levels of pomegranate peel and waste cooking oil as an agricultural residue on broilers' nutrition were investigated. Results showed that the replacement of 8% pomegranate peel in diets decreased the growth performance of broilers. Supplementing 8% pomegranate peel in diets reduced apparent nutrient digestibility. The highest level of waste oil inclusion in broiler diets indicated negative impacts on apparent zmetabolizable energy and crude fat apparent nutrients digestibility. Broilers fed the diet containing 4% pomegranate peel had a higher Lactobacillus population. The results showed that the Lactobacillus population was lower in broilers fed 8% pomegranate peel powder and 4% waste oil in diets. The inclusion of 8% pomegranate peel powder in diets showed lower villus height and crypt depth in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The inclusion of 4% pomegranate peel decreased the peroxide value (PV) of meat. Dietary inclusion of 4% waste oil raised the PV of meat. Alpha-tocopherol supplementation decreased the PV of meat. Finally, the results provide information that 4% of pomegranate peel and 4% waste oil could be used as an alternative feed ingredient in broiler diets without adverse effects.

Mediterranean Food Industry By-Products as a Novel Source of Phytochemicals with a Promising Role in Cancer Prevention

The Mediterranean diet is recognized as a sustainable dietary approach with beneficial health effects. This is highly relevant, although the production of typical Mediterranean food, i.e., olive oil or wine, processed tomatoes and pomegranate products, generates significant amounts of waste. Ideally, this waste should be disposed in an appropriate, eco-friendly way. A number of scientific papers were published recently showing that these by-products can be exploited as a valuable source of biologically active components with health benefits, including anticancer effects. In this review, accordingly, we elaborate on such phytochemicals recovered from the food waste generated during the processing of vegetables and fruits, typical of the Mediterranean diet, with a focus on substances with anticancer activity. The molecular mechanisms of these phytochemicals, which might be included in supporting treatment and prevention of various types of cancer, are presented. The use of bioactive components from food waste may improve the economic feasibility and sustainability of the food processing industry in the Mediterranean region and can provide a new strategy to approach prevention of cancer.

Synergistic activity of pomegranate rind extract and Zn (II) against Candida albicans under planktonic and biofilm conditions, and a mechanistic insight based upon intracellular ROS induction

Candida albicans (C. albicans) is an opportunistic pathogen, which causes superficial infection and can lead to mortal systemic infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. The incidence of C. albicans infections is increasing and there are a limited number of antifungal drugs used in treatment. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new and alternative antifungal drugs. Pomegranate rind extract (PRE) is known for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities, including against C. albicans and recently, PRE and Zn (II) have been shown to induce synergistic antimicrobial activity against various microbes. In this study, the inhibitory activities of PRE, Zn (II) and PRE in combination with Zn (II) were evaluated against C. albicans. Antifungal activities of PRE and Zn (II) were evaluated using conventional microdilution methods and the interaction between these compounds was assessed by in vitro checkerboard and time kill assays in planktonic cultures. The anti-biofilm activities of PRE, Zn (II) and PRE in combination with Zn (II) were assessed using confocal laser scanning microscopy, with quantitative analysis of biofilm biomass and mean thickness analysed using COMSTAT2 analysis. In addition, antimicrobial interactions between PRE and Zn (II) were assayed in terms reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by C. albicans. PRE and Zn (II) showed a potent antifungal activity against C. albicans, with MIC values of 4 mg/mL and 1.8 mg/mL, respectively. PRE and Zn (II) in combination exerted a synergistic antifungal effect, as confirmed by the checkerboard and time kill assays. PRE, Zn (II) and PRE and Zn (II) in combination gave rise to significant reductions in biofilm biomass, although only PRE caused a significant reduction in mean biofilm thickness. The PRE and Zn (II) in combination caused the highest levels of ROS production by C. albicans, in both planktonic and biofilm forms. The induction of excess ROS accumulation in C. albicans may help explain the synergistic activity of PRE and Zn (II) in combination against C. albicans in both planktonic and biofilm forms. Moreover, the data support the potential of the PRE and Zn (II) combination as a novel potential anti-Candida therapeutic system.

Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study of Oral Pomegranate Extract on Skin Wrinkles, Biophysical Features, and the Gut-Skin Axis

(1) Background: The pomegranate fruit (Punica granatum L.) has been widely used in traditional medicine and has increasingly gained popularity among consumers in order to manage different facets of health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the fruit extract of P. granatum L. on different parameters of skin health. (2) Methods: A prospective, double-blind placebo-controlled study was conducted on both healthy males and females aged 25−55 years. Subjects were supplemented with a standardized punicalagin enriched oral pomegranate extract [Pomella® (Verdure Science, Noblesville, IN, USA), PE group] or a placebo (control group) daily for four weeks. Changes in wrinkle severity, facial biophysical properties, skin microbiome, and the gut microbiome were assessed. (3) Results: The PE group had significant reductions in wrinkle severity (p < 0.01) and a decreasing trend in the forehead sebum excretion rate (p = 0.14). The participants in the PE group with a higher relative abundance of Eggerthellaceae in the gut had a decrease in their facial TEWL (p < 0.05) and wrinkle severity (p = 0.058). PE supplementation led to an increase in the Staphylococcus epidermidis species and the Bacillus genus on the skin. (4) Conclusions: Overall, the study demonstrated improvements in several biophysical properties, wrinkles, and shifts in the skin microbiome with oral PE supplementation in healthy subjects.

The efficacy of applying some plants and herbs in cancer therapy for humans and animals – a comperhensive review

Cancer is a challenging ailment and represents the main reason for death worldwide for humans and animals. Although great developments have hindered cancer progression, several adverse effects are associated with modern chemotherapy. Natural remedies, such as the usage of medicinal plant or their products in cancer treatment, may decrease prejudicial side properties. Recently, the modern research scheme and innovative screening practices for herbs or plants have enabled phytochemical discovery for the prevention and treatment of cancer. This criticism highlights herbs such as acacia, basil, black seeds, cedar, castus, ficus, garlic, ginger, indigo, onion, pomegranate, quince, and thyme, promising anticancer effects. The present review also revealed the mode of action of each herb as anticancer effects at level in vitro and in vivo studies. The item also totalizes the vital mechanisms and signaling molecules involved in preventing cancer diseases. This will fill the investigate gap in the exploration of using natural molecules and encourage researchers in clinical trials of anticancer agents from herbs for humans and animals.

Bioaffinity ultrafiltration coupled with HPLC-ESI-MS/MS for screening potential α-glucosidase inhibitors from pomegranate peel

Pomegranate peel (PoP) contains plenty of bioactive compounds and exhibits strong activity to prevent postprandial hyperglycaemia and improve diabetes mellitus. Presently, bioaffinity ultrafiltration coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) is employed to screen and identify the efficient α-glucosidase inhibitors in PoP and the detailed inhibitory mechanisms are further investigated. The results show that many substances, including ellagic acid, kaempferol, gallic acid, and resveratrol in PoP reveal strong activity to inhibit α-glucosidase and ellagic acid (EA) is screened as the most effective compound. Further research indicates that EA plays a competitive and reversible inhibition role against α-glucosidase with the value of Ki was 6.24 × 105 mol/L. EA also directly interacts with the amino acids of α-glucosidase mainly via van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds, thereby, influencing the secondary structure and stability of α-glucosidase. Finally, the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of EA is further confirmed to significantly reduce postprandial blood glucose in vivo.

Antiviral activity of medicinal plant-derived products against SARS-CoV-2

This review presents information from several studies that have demonstrated the antiviral activity of extracts (Andrographis paniculata, Artemisia annua, Artemisia afra, Cannabis sativa, Curcuma longa, Echinacea purpurea, Olea europaea, Piper nigrum, and Punica granatum) and phytocompounds derived from medicinal plants (artemisinins, glycyrrhizin, and phenolic compounds) against SARS-CoV-2. A brief background of the plant products studied, the methodology used to evaluate the antiviral activity, the main findings from the research, and the possible mechanisms of action are presented. These plant products have been shown to impede the adsorption of SARS-CoV-2 to the host cell, and prevent multiplication of the virus post its entry into the host cell. In addition to antiviral activity, the plant products have also been demonstrated to exert an immunomodulatory effect by controlling the excessive release of cytokines, which is commonly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Pomegranate juice fermented by tannin acyl hydrolase and Lactobacillus vespulae DCY75 enhance estrogen receptor expression and anti-inflammatory effect

Phenolics are phytochemicals in plants, fruits, and vegetables have potential health-promoting efficacies. However, mostly available as a complex form. So, to increase the contents and nutritional value of the phenolic compounds, fermentation is most readily used in the food industry. Especially, the hydrolyzable tannins present in the pomegranate that can be liberated into monomolecular substances, which enhances biological activity. Thus, this study aims to convert hydrolyzable tannins to ellagic acid by fermentation using Tannin acyl hydrolase (TAH) and a novel bacteria strain Lactobacillus vespulae DCY75, respectively to investigate its effect on Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) mRNA expression along with inflammation inhibition. As a result, the fermentation enhanced the ellagic acid content up to 70% by the synergetic effect of TAH and DCY75. Furthermore, fermented pomegranate (PG-F) increased cellular proliferation as well as upregulated the gene expression of estrogen regulators such as ERα, ERβ, and pS2 in breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), which commonly used to evaluate estrogenic activity. Moreover, to study the inflammation associated with low estrogen in menopause, we have analyzed the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO)/inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in RAW 264.7 cells. The PG-F juice did not exert any cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells and inhibited NO production along with the downregulation of a major pro-inflammatory cytokine iNOS which indicates the anti-inflammatory potential of it. To sum it up, the fermented commercial pomegranate juice using a novel bacteria strain increased the amount of ellagic acid that the value added bioactive of pomegranate and it has significantly increased the estrogenic activity via upregulating estrogen related biomarkers expression and reduced the risk of related inflammation via NO/iNOS inhibition. This study could be a preliminary study to use fermented pomegranate as a potential health functional food after further evaluation.

Dietary anthocyanins balance immune signs in osteoarthritis and obesity - update of human in vitro studies and clinical trials

Anthocyanins are known to change ligand-receptor bindings, cell membrane permeability, and intracellular signaling pathways. The beneficial effects of dietary anthocyanins have been chronologically demonstrated in interventional and observational studies, including fourteen human chondrocyte studies and related cell culture assays, nineteen human clinical trials in osteoarthritis patients, seven in vivo obesity assays, nineteen in vitro assays in preadipocytes and related cells, and twenty-two clinical trials in overweight/obese subjects, which are critically discussed in this update. Strawberries, cherries, berries, pomegranate, tropical fruits, rosehip, purple rice, purple corn, red beans, and black soybean, together with cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, peonidin, some 3-O-glycosides, metabolites, and acylated anthocyanins from a potato cultivar have shown the best outcomes. The set of these five key tests and clinical trials, taken together, contributes to the understanding of the underlying mechanisms and pathways involved. Furthermore, this set shows the value of anthocyanins in counteracting the progression of osteoarthritis/obesity. The interplay between the inflammation of osteoarthritis and obesity, and the subsequent regulation/immunomodulation was performed through isolated and food anthocyanins. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties of anthocyanins explain the findings of the studies analyzed. However, further interventional studies should be conducted to finally establish the appropriate doses for anthocyanin supplementation, dose-response, and length of consumption, to include dietary recommendations for osteoarthritis/obese patients for preventive and management purposes.

Pharmacotherapeutic potential of pomegranate in age-related neurological disorders

Age-related neurological disorders [AND] include neurodegenerative diseases [NDDs] such as Alzheimer's disease [AD] and Parkinson's disease [PD], which are the most prevalent types of dementia in the elderly. It also includes other illnesses such as migraine and epilepsy. ANDs are multifactorial, but aging is their major risk factor. The most frequent and vital pathological features of AND are oxidative stress, inflammation, and accumulation of misfolded proteins. As AND brain damage is a significant public health burden and its incidence is increasing, much has been done to overcome it. Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is one of the polyphenol-rich fruits that is widely mentioned in medical folklore. Pomegranate is commonly used to treat common disorders such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, wound healing, bleeding, dysentery, acidosis, microbial infections, infectious and noninfectious respiratory diseases, and neurological disorders. In the current review article, we aimed to summarize the data on the pharmacotherapeutic potentials of pomegranate in ANDs.

Ripening of Pomegranate Skin as Revealed by Developmental Transcriptomics

The appearance of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit is highly important for its marketing. The primary concerns are obtaining sufficient red pigment accumulation and minimal cracking of the fruit skin (the outer red layer of the peel). We analyzed the skin transcriptome of pomegranate cv. Wonderful at distinct time points of fruit development to characterize the processes that occur in the skin during fruit ripening and which may reflect on processes in the whole fruit, such as the non-climacteric nature of pomegranate. The data suggested a ripening mechanism in pomegranate skin that differs from that in strawberry—the model plant for non-climacteric fruit where abscisic acid is the growth regulator that drives ripening—involving ethylene, polyamine, and jasmonic acid pathways. The biosynthetic pathways of important metabolites in pomegranate—hydrolyzable tannins and anthocyanins—were co-upregulated at the ripening stage, in line with the visual enhancement of red coloration. Interestingly, cuticle- and cell-wall-related genes that showed differential expression between the developmental stages were mainly upregulated in the skin of early fruit, with lower expression at mid-growth and ripening stages. Nevertheless, lignification may be involved in skin hardening in the mature fruit.

Physical Characteristics, Mineral Content, and Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Punica granatum or Citrus sinensis Peel Extracts and Their Applications to Improve Cake Quality

One-third of all food produced for human use is discarded as waste, resulting in environmental pollution and impaired food security. Fruit peels have bioactive compounds that may be used as antimicrobials and antioxidants, and the use of fruit peels is considered an alternative way to reduce environmental problems and agro-industrial waste. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical, mineral, extraction yield, total phenolic, total flavonoids, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity of several peel fruits, including Citrus sinensis (orange) and Punica granatum (pomegranate). The results revealed that pomegranate peel powder contains the highest amounts of ash, fiber, total carbohydrates, Ca, Fe, Mg, and Cu, while orange peel contains the highest amounts of moisture, protein, crude fat, P, and K. Furthermore, the aqueous and methanolic pomegranate peel extracts yielded higher total phenolic and total flavonoids than the orange peel extract. The identification and quantification of polyphenol compounds belonging to different classes, such as tannins, phenolic acids, and flavonoids in pomegranate peel and flavonoid compounds in orange peel were performed using UPLC-MS/MS. In addition, GC-MS analysis of orange peel essential oil discovered that the predominant compound is D-Limonene (95.7%). The aqueous and methanolic extracts of pomegranate peel were proven to be efficient against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria linked to human infections. Sponge cake substituting wheat flour with 3% pomegranate peel and 10% orange peel powder had the highest total phenolic, flavonoid compounds, and antioxidant activity as compared to the control cake. Our results concluded that pomegranate and orange peel flour can be used in cake preparation and natural food preservers.

Inhibition of Escherichia coli ATP synthase and cell growth by dietary pomegranate phenolics

Historically, people have been using pomegranate to alleviate many disease conditions. Pomegranate is known for its antiinflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anticancer, and antibacterial properties. In the current study, we examined effects of 8 dietary phenolics present in pomegranate (DPPs)-cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanin chloride, delphinidin-3-glucoside, delphinidin-3,5-diglucoside, pelargonidin-3-glucoside, pelargonin chloride, punicalagin, and punicalin-on Escherichia coli ATP synthase and cell growth. DPPs caused complete or near complete (89%-100%) inhibition of wild-type E. coli ATP synthase and partial (5%-64%) inhibition of mutant enzymes αR283D, αE284R, βV265Q, and γT273A. Growth inhibition of wild-type, null, and mutant strains in the presence of DPPs were lower than that of isolated wild-type and mutant ATP synthase. On a molar scale, cyanin chloride was the most potent, and pelargonidin-3-glucoside was the least effective inhibitor of wild-type ATP synthase. Partial inhibition of mutant enzymes confirmed that αR283D, αE284R, βV265Q, and γT273A are essential in the formation of the phytochemical binding site. Our results establish that DPPs are potent inhibitors of wild-type E. coli ATP synthase and that the antimicrobial nature of DPPs can be associated with the binding and inhibition of microbial ATP synthase. Additionally, selective inhibition of microbial ATP synthase by DPPs is a useful method to combat antimicrobial resistance.

Chemical, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Properties of the Peel and Male Flower By-Products of Four Varieties of Punica granatum L. Cultivated in the Marche Region for Their Use in Cosmetic Products

We are now seeing an increase in the production of agri-food waste, which is an essential resource for the recovery of bioactive compounds that may be employed as innovative natural ingredients in cosmetics. To date, the approach to cosmetics preservation has seen a significant shift in the search for biological components that give healthier alternatives for customers and help businesses operate in an environmentally friendly manner. To achieve this goal, we studied pomegranate extracts using the peel and, for the first time, extracts from the male flowers of a wide pomegranate variety cultivated in the Marche region, specifically, the Wonderful, Mollar de Elche, Parfianka, and less-studied G1 varieties. We studied the phenol compounds profile, antioxidant capacity, antimicrobial activity, and cell viability of the obtained pomegranate extracts. The identification and quantification of phenol compounds belonging to different classes, such as hydrolysable tannins, hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, dihydroflavonol, gallocatechin, and anthocyanins, were performed using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Punicalagin isomers and punicalin resulted in the most abundant polyphenols found in the peel and male flower extracts. Mollar de Elche 2020 peel extract revealed a high concentration of punicalagin A and B (7206.4 mg/kg and 5812.9), while the content of gallic acid revealed high results in the G1 and Parfianka varieties. All extracts were spectrophotometrically analysed to determine their total phenol content (TPC) using the Folin–Ciocalteu method and their antioxidant capacity (AC). In terms of the total phenol obtained by the Folin–Ciocalteu colorimetric method, Mollar de Elche 2020 extracts reported the highest TPC content of 12.341 µmol GAE/g. Results revealed that the Mollar de Elche and Wonderful 2020 peel extracts demonstrated the highest TPC and AC. Furthermore, AC results indicated that the peel extracts displayed higher AC than the male flower extract due to the high punicalagin content detected by UPLC analysis. The antimicrobial activity testing revealed that the Wonderful and G1 2020 peel extracts resulted active against Escherichia coli, while all extracts exhibited promising anticandidal activity. Additionally, the cytocompatibility was evaluated in keratinocytes HaCaT cells by testing concentrations of pomegranate extracts ranging from 0.15 to 5.00 mg/mL. Extracts were non-toxic for the cells in the tested concentration range. The acquired results may help exploit pomegranate agri-food waste products provided by the Marche region’s short supply chain for their use as an antimicrobial and antioxidant booster in the formulation of cosmetic products.

Effects of Punica granatum Fruit (a Super Food) Juice on Human Health

Background:

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), one of the oldest known edible fruits, is nowadays broadly consumed throughout the world. Its fruits and seed are rich in many bioactive compounds, as polyphenols, and the scientific interest in this plant has been constantly growing in recent years.

Introduction:

Pomegranate fruit and its juice have been shown to have health benefits relating to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They are used in alternative medicine as adaptogens and ergogens protecting against many neurological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, liver, and skin disorders.

Methods:

Given the amount of evidence, this narrative review does not seek to supply a comprehensive summary of all study findings, but rather focuses on human clinical trials related the last five years. In this regard, we have performed a check in MEDLINE, and clinical trials presented in this time are summarized.

Result:

The use of pomegranate as table fruit or juice, rich source of polyphenols, can so be recommended in human nutrition for its benefic properties. The consumption of pomegranate fruit symbolizes a promising therapeutic approach to avert many chronic syndromes.

Conclusion:

Importantly, the findings call for the need for a larger, rigorously designed human clinical trials to allow continued investigation into the potential specific effects of pomegranate fruit, and to obtain the best dose and duration of supplementation with pomegranate juice.

Potential Mechanisms of the Improvement of Glucose Homeostasis in Type 2 Diabetes by Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranate is a polyphenol-rich fruit. Studies have shown that extracts prepared from its juice or from different parts of the pomegranate plant have various biological activities including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, cardioprotective, and antidiabetic. The therapeutic potential has been attributed to various phytochemicals, including ellagic acid, punicic acid, flavonoids, anthocyanidins, anthocyanins, flavonols, and flavones. This review focuses on the scientific evidence of pomegranate juice as hypoglycemic, emphasizing the chemical composition and the possible mechanisms of action associated with this effect. Studies were identified using the PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science databases to identify relevant articles focused on the hypoglycemic effect of pomegranate juice. The physiological responses to pomegranate juice are reported here, including a decrease of oxidative stress damage, an increase of insulin-dependent glucose uptake, maintenance of β-cell integrity, inhibition of nonenzymatic protein glycation, an increase of insulin sensitivity, modulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, inhibition of α-amylase, inhibition of α-glucosidase and dipeptidyl peptidase-4, and decreases in inflammation. Overall, we found a significant hypoglycemic effect of pomegranate in in vitro and in vivo studies and we summarize the potential mechanisms of action.

Clinical Potential of Fruit in Bladder Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common tumor of the urinary system in the world. Moreover, despite using anticancer therapies, BC is also characterized by a high recurrence risk. Among numerous risk factors, cigarette smoking, occupational exposure to certain aromatic compounds, and genetic factors contribute most strongly to BC development. However, the epidemiological data to date suggests that diet quality may influence some carcinogenic factors of BC and, therefore, might have a preventative effect. Adequate consumption of selected fruits with scientifically proven properties, including pomegranates and cranberries, can significantly reduce the risk of developing BC, even in those at risk. Therefore, in this article, we aim to elucidate, using available literature, the role of fruits, including pomegranates, cranberries, citrus fruits, cactus pears, and apples, in BC prevention and treatment. Previous data indicate the role of compounds in the above-mentioned fruits in the modulation of the signaling pathways, including cell proliferation, cell growth, cell survival, and cell death.

Novel Pomegranate-Nanoparticles Ameliorate Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity and Improves Cisplatin Anti-Cancer Efficacy in Ehrlich Carcinoma Mice Model

Cisplatin (CISP) is one of the most widely used anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents with remarkable efficacy against various types of cancers. However, it has been associated with nephrotoxicity amongst other undesirable side effects. Pomegranate (PE) is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent effective against cancer, with a superior benefit of not being associated with the common toxicities related to the use of conventional chemotherapeutic agents. However, the application of PE is limited by its reduced solubility and decreased bioavailability. We investigated the potential of a novel nanoparticle (NP) enclosing PE to enhance its solubility and improve its bioavailability, and efficacy to prevent CISP-associated nephrotoxicity in a mice model of Ehrlich solid carcinoma (ESC). All mice were grouped into four cohorts: (I) control, (II) tumor, (III) CISP, and (IV) CISP + PE-NPs. The data obtained demonstrated that PE-NPs was beneficial in potently ameliorating CISP-induced nephrotoxicity in ESC mice. PE-NPs significantly attenuated CISP-induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the kidney via improving activities of antioxidants (SOD, GSH, and CAT). Additionally, PE-NPs considerably decreased CISP-induced inflammation in the kidney by decreasing the levels of NF-kB, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Notably, PE-NPs did not assuage the antitumor efficacy of CISP as revealed by histological assessment and tumor weight data. In summary, PE-NPs may be a potent alternative anticancer therapy devoid of nephrotoxicity.

Systematic review of the effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum) on osteoarthritis

Background: Considering limitations of the established osteoarthritis (OA) medications, attention to adjuvant and complementary treatments has increased in OA individuals. Recent investigations have reported advantages of pomegranate in OA and indicate that pomegranate can be a therapeutic option; nevertheless, no systematic review exists regarding OA and pomegranate. Therefore, we systematically studied accessible researches regarding pomegranate and OA in human, animal, and in vitro models and likely mechanistic pathways. Methods: Present systematic review study was recorded on the international prospective register of systematic reviews database. Electronic databases (Scopus, PubMed, Embase, WOS, ProQuest) and search engine Google Scholar were searched until February 2021. Search alerts were turned on to recognize papers published following the primary search. Two investigators independently searched using MESH and non-MESH words in title, abstract, and keywords. Inclusion criteria were related clinical, animal, and in vitro studies published in any language as a full text. Exclusion criteria were reviews, book chapters, conference abstracts, and articles regarding pomegranate in health problems other than OA. Hand searching was used to check the references or citations of eligible papers and grey literature (theses etc.) to find potential researches. Results: Twenty-three articles were included in our systematic review. Human, animal, and in vitro researches demonstrated favorable properties of pomegranate in improving clinical features and reducing inflammatory, oxidative stress, and apoptosis markers in OA. Conclusion: Present paper provides convincing evidence about the efficacy of pomegranate in OA and gives a justification for the importance of additional clinical studies.

Punicic Acid and Its Role in the Prevention of Neurological Disorders: A Review

Millions of people worldwide are affected by neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). NDs are characterized by progressive damage and death of nerve cells accompanied by high levels of inflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress conditions. Punicic acid, the main bioactive component of pomegranate (Punica granatum) seed oil, is an omega-5 isomer of conjugated α-linoleic acid that has shown strong anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects that contributes towards its positive effect against a wide arrange of diseases. Punicic acid decreases oxidative damage and inflammation by increasing the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. In addition, it can reduce beta-amyloid deposits formation and tau hyperphosphorylation by increasing the expression of GLUT4 protein and the inhibition of calpain hyperactivation. Microencapsulated pomegranate, with high levels of punicic acid, increases antioxidant PON1 activity in HDL. Likewise, encapsulated pomegranate formulations with high levels of punicic acid have shown an increase in the antioxidant PON1 activity in HDL. Because of the limited brain permeability of punicic acid, diverse delivery formulations have been developed to enhance the biological activity of punicic acid in the brain, diminishing neurological disorders symptoms. Punicic acid is an important nutraceutical compound in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease.

A Rapid HPLC Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Organic Acids and Furans: Food Applications

Concerns over the potential adulteration of commercially produced foods give rise to a requirement for a simple and fast analytical method capable of quantifying potential adulterants. This work demonstrates a simple HPLC method tailored to detect major organic acids and furans within ingredients in commercial food products, for example, pomegranate molasses, balsamic vinegar, and apple cider vinegar. The relative importance of this method is in its simplicity and its use of an environmentally friendly aqueous mobile phase under isocratic conditions, providing results in a less than 20 min runtime. The chromatographic separation was achieved using an Acclaim® OA, 5 µm, 120 Å (4.0 × 250 mm) column; a UV-DAD detector set at 210 nm; and a 200 mM Na2SO4 mobile phase with 0.55 mL/L methanosulfonic acid as a pH modifier. The method was then validated by quantifying the concentration of acetic acid, formic acid, citric acid, and hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) in pomegranate molasses, balsamic vinegar, and apple cider vinegar commercial products. The concentration of acetic acid and HMF in balsamic vinegar was 80.380 mg/mL (±1.272 mg/mL) and 2.153 mg/mL (±0.021 mg/mL), respectively. The apple cider vinegar was composed only of acetic acid with a concentration of 44.139 mg/mL (±0.053 mg/mL). The concentrations of citric acid and HMF were 123.425 mg/mL (±2.502 mg/mL) and 11.382 mg/mL (±0.582 mg/mL), respectively, in pomegranate molasses. Furthermore, this method is also capable of determining various organic acids and furans in biomass: levulinic acid, formic acid, furfurals, diformylfuran, and gamma-valerolactone.

Punica granatum Peel Waste - An Underutilized Substrate of Therapeutic Potential: An Overview

India is the second largest consumer and producer of fruits globally. It leads to ample solid waste per year from fruit processing industries that have been proven hazardous to the surroundings. Punica granatum (Pomegranate) belongs to the Lythraceae subfamily Punicoideae, which exhibits immense nutritional properties and delicious flavoring components. The weight of this fruit mainly consists of peel, i.e., 50%, followed by 40% of arils and 10% of seeds. Thus, the major byproduct is peel that holds many valuable bioactive compounds in higher concentrations viz saponins, carotenoids, steroids, polyphenols, quercetin derivatives, caffeic acid, phenolic acids, flavonoids, ellagitannins, p-coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, anthocyanidins, triterpenoids, glycosides, tannins, and many more. Consequently, it results in wideranging therapeutic applications, including antioxidative, anti-microbial, antihypertensive, anticarcinogenic, anti-genotoxic, anti-inflammatory, glucoregulation, cardio-protective, hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects along with prebiotic potential. Considering their nutritional and therapeutic aspects, these peels can be used for many purposes rather than being disposed off. With a value-added approach, it is utilized in many food and non-food sectors. So, this review aims to explore the therapeutic potential of P. granatum peel and enlighten its diverse applications in the food industry.

Fortified cake with pomegranate seed powder as a functional product

Pomegranate seed as a by-product of the pomegranate juice processing industry contains a range of valuable pharmaceutical and nutritional compounds. It's application as a food supplement leads to enhancement of the nutritional value and healthy properties of final products. In this research, various levels (2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10%) of pomegranate seed powder (PSP) were used in the cupcake formula and their effects on the physicochemical, sensorial, and microbial properties of the final product were evaluated during 28 days of storage at 4 °C. Adding PSP to the cupcake formula significantly increased the protein, fat, and fiber contents of the product (p < 0.05) but did not affect the oxidative stability of cupcakes during the storage time. The PSP increased the hardness of the cupcake. It was also effective in maintaining the moisture content of the product during the storage time. The results indicated that the specific volume, lightness, and yellowness of crust and crumb were decreased by increasing the level of PSP, while the redness of crumb was increased. Besides, the results of the sensory evaluation showed the addition of PSP up to 5% to cupcake formula did not have a significant negative effect on the sensory characteristics of the product. It could be concluded that the PSP could be used in cupcake formulation up to 5% as a flour replacement for nutritional and functional enrichment of cake without adverse effect on cake quality.

An Insight into Anticancer Bioactives from Punica granatum (Pomegranate)

Cancer is one of the major reasons for mortality across the globe. Many side-effects are associated with the formulations available in the market, affecting the quality of life of the patients. This has caused the researchers to find an alternative source of medications, such as herbal medicine, showing a promising effect in anticancer treatment; one such source is Pomegranate, which belongs to the family Punicaceae. Punica granatum contains many polyphenols that have antioxidant, antidiabetic, and therapeutic effects in the treatment and management of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, as well as a favourable effect on anticancer therapy. Polyphenols like punicalin, punicalagin, and ellagic acid are a few of the many compounds responsible for the anticancer activity of pomegranate. Many preparations of pomegranate, such as Pomegranate Juice (PJ), Pomegranate Seed Oil (PSO), Pomegranate peel extract (PoPx), etc. are used in various clinical studies. These polyphenols show anticancer activity by either arresting the cell cycle in the G2/M phase, inducing apoptosis or damaging the DNA of tumor cells. This review explicitly discusses the role and mechanism of bioactives obtained from the pomegranate in the treatment and management of cancer. The chemical structure, properties, and role of pomegranate in the treatment of breast, lung, thyroid, colon, and prostate cancer have been focused on in detail. This review also discusses various targeted drug delivery approaches for tumour treatment as well as patented preparation of pomegranate compounds along with the ongoing clinical trials.

Ongoing and potential novel trends of pomegranate fruit peel; a comprehensive review of its health benefits and future perspectives as nutraceutical

Pomegranate is an ancient shrub, globally distributed nowadays. It has been used in the middle east as a medicinal food and traditional medicine for thousands of years. Pomegranate peel (PP) constitutes about 50% of the total fruit, however, it has been previously regarded as a waste. Recent research points to PP as a rich source of phenolics (e.g., ellagitannins, flavonoids, and anthocyanins), polysaccharides, in addition to its biotransformed metabolites viz. urolithins making it a valuable waste with promising pharmacological actions. Compared to the pulp and the juice, PP exhibited stronger antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Besides, it inhibited inflammation in several conditions, including colitis, arthritis, hepatitis, contact dermatitis, and lung inflammation. Moreover, it displayed anti-osteoporosis, anti-hyperglycemic, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, vasculoprotective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory effects. Additionally, it was effective as a prebiotic and in obesity control, besides it promoted wound healing. Furthermore, PP demonstrated anticancer effects against different cancer types, for example, colon, liver, thyroid, uterine, breast, bladder, prostate, leukemia, and osteosarcoma. Despite PP safety, it may interfere with the metabolism of other drugs because it inhibits cytochromes (CYP) changing their bioavailability, effectiveness, and toxicity. PP biowaste valorization not only avoids against its environmental and economic burden but can also provide a promising platform to produce novel or improved nutraceuticals. This study provides a comprehensive overview of PP biological activities with the reported action mechanisms related to its phytochemicals and further biotransformed metabolites inside the body. Future research prospects to unravel the merits of such waste and optimize its use are discussed. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Pomegranate is widely distributed throughout the world. Although its peel was previously considered a waste, recent research regards it as a rich source of bioactive compounds with promising biological activities. Its recycling not only overcomes the bio-waste problems, but also provides a source of valuable compounds with several health benefits. In recent years, PP has been demonstrated to exhibit excellent pharmacological bioactivities, for example, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiosteoporosis, antihyperlipidemic, and anticancer activities. Its health-promoting power is mostly attributed to the phenolic and polysaccharide content, in addition to its amazing biotransformed metabolites. The underlying action mechanisms of such pharmacological activities are discussed and related to its chemical content. This review presents the latest research progress on the role of PP in the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases, and its protective health effects for future research to be used in nutraceuticals.

Analysis of the Phytochemical Composition of Pomegranate Fruit Juices, Peels and Kernels: A Comparative Study on Four Cultivars Grown in Southern Italy

The increasing popularity of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), driven by the awareness of its nutraceutical properties and excellent environmental adaptability, is promoting a global expansion of its production area. This investigation reports the variability in the weight, moisture, pH, total soluble solids, carbohydrates, organic acids, phenolic compounds, fatty acids, antioxidant activities, and element composition of different fruit parts (juices, peels, and kernels) from four (Ako, Emek, Kamel, and Wonderful One) of the most widely cultivated Israeli pomegranate varieties in Salento (South Italy). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic characterization of different fruit parts from pomegranate cultivars grown simultaneously in the same orchard and subjected to identical agronomic and environmental conditions. Significant genotype-dependent variability was observed for many of the investigated parameters, though without any correlation among fruit parts. The levels of phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids of all samples were higher than the literature-reported data, as was the antioxidant activity. This is likely due to positive interactions among genotypes, the environment, and good agricultural practices. This study also confirms that pomegranate kernels and peels are, respectively, rich sources of punicic acid and phenols together, with several other bioactive molecules. However, the variability in their levels emphasizes the need for further research to better exploit their agro-industrial potential and thereby increase juice-production chain sustainability. This study will help to assist breeders and growers to respond to consumer and industrial preferences and encourage the development of biorefinery strategies for the utilization of pomegranate by-products as nutraceuticals or value-added ingredients for custom-tailored supplemented foods.

Antioxidant and Antibacterial Profiling of Pomegranate-pericarp Extract Functionalized-zinc Oxide Nanocomposite

With the advancement in green nanotechnology, considerable attention is being given to the synthesis of different kinds of nanomaterials for biological applications. In this study, zinc oxide nanocomposites (ZnO NPs) were synthesized using Punica granatum L. (Pomegranate) pericarp ethanolic extract (PE) by the chemical precipitation method. The prepared ZnO NPs showed a characteristic peak at 270 nm in the UV-Vis spectrophotometer and chemical bond stretching in the Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectra, indicated the formation of PE-functionalized zinc oxide nanocomposite (PE-ZnO NPs). The SEM results showed agglomerated PE-ZnO NPs of a spherical shape with an average size of 80-100 nm. Moreover, biological assessment of the PE-ZnO NPs revealed significant scavenging activity in DPPH (116.5%) and ABTS^·+ (95.2%) radical assay methods, and substantial antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus licheniformis, and Escherichia coli. Furthermore, PE-ZnO NPs showed about 96.3% of cell viability for human HaCaT cells at the maximum concentration (100 µg/mL), marked as a reliable bioactive agent. Therefore, the developed PE-ZnO NPs were elucidated with substantial ROS scavenger and non-antibiotic antibacterial agent and hence, can be applied in respective biological applications.

Development of Gluten-Free Muffins with β-Glucan and Pomegranate Powder Using Response Surface Methodology

More consumers are being diagnosed with celiac disease or diseases in which wheat products should be avoided. For this reason, it is important to increase the range of gluten-free products available. In this study, it was decided to optimize the technology for the creation of a muffin with β-glucan (BG) and pomegranate (PG), while establishing water share (WT), using the response surface methodology. It was shown that β-glucan and water had the most significant influence on specific volume and moisture (p ≤ 0.001). However, the increase of hardness, color, and total phenolic content (TPC) was mainly influenced by the increase of pomegranate content (p ≤ 0.01 for harness and color and p ≤ 0.001 for TPC). Consumers accepted products high in β-glucan more than high in pomegranate. Optimization ended with a composition that included 1.89% BG, 9.51% PG, and 77.87% WT. There were no significant differences between the model and the experimental sample, apart from higher consumer acceptability.

Effect of Different Extraction Methods on the Quality and Biochemical Attributes of Pomegranate Juice and the Application of Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy in Discriminating Between Different Extraction Methods

This study investigated the effects of extraction methods on the physicochemical, phytochemical, and antioxidant properties of pomegranate juice (cv. Wonderful). In addition, the application of attenuated total reflectance Fourier transformed mid-infrared (ATR-FT-MIR) spectroscopy and chemometrics were explored in order to discriminate between different extraction methods. Juice variants evaluated included juice extracted without crushing the seeds (arils only) using a juice extractor (JE), juice extracted by crushing the seeds using a blender (arils plus seed) (JB), and juice extracted from half fruit using a commercial hand press juicer (CH). Juice extracted from CH had higher total soluble solid (TSS) content (18.20%), TSS/TA ratio (15.83), and color properties (a^* = 32.67, b^* = 11.80, C^* = 34.77) compared with extraction methods JE and JB. The juice extracted from JB showed the highest titratable acidity (2.17%), cloudiness (0.43), and lowest pH value (2.69). The total phenolics and anthocyanin content in the investigated juice ranged from 1.87 to 3.04 g gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/L and 37.74-43.67 mg cyanidin 3-glucoside equivalent/L of crude juice, respectively. Juice extracted from JB and CH was significantly higher in phenolic and anthocyanin compared with JE. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used for classification. Classification accuracy of 100% was achieved between the three methods. The S-line plot revealed that the corresponding wavelength bands within the following regions 1,090, 1,250, 1,750, and 3,200 cm^-1 were responsible for discrimination between the different extraction methods. Our results suggest that the main contributor to the discrimination between extraction methods were TSS, TSS/TA, color attributes, and anthocyanin content. Overall, this study has demonstrated that ATR-FT-MIR spectroscopy provides a powerful way to discriminate between juice extraction methods.

Anthocyanins from Pomegranate (Punica granatum L. ) and Their Role in Antioxidant Capacities in Vitro

As phytochemicals, anthocyanins are not only responsible for the diverse colors in nature, but are associated with broad-spectrum health-promoting effects for human beings. Pomegranate is abundant in anthocyanins which possess high antioxidant capacities. However, the pomegranate anthocyanins profile and their contributions to antioxidant capacities are not fully depicted. The purpose of this paper is to review anthocyanins from pomegranate as important antioxidants. Total anthocyanin content (TAC) and six major components vary greatly with intrinsic and extrinsic factors. In pomegranate, anthocyanins mainly acted as primary antioxidants, while their action as secondary antioxidants were not conclusive. The antioxidant potentials of anthocyanins were significantly affected by factors especially chemical structure and detection assays in vitro. The current knowledge may provide insights into potential applications for pomegranate anthocyanins based on their antioxidant activities.

Punicalagin in Cancer Prevention-Via Signaling Pathways Targeting

The extract of pomegranate (Punica granatum) has been applied in medicine since ancient times due to its broad-spectrum health-beneficial properties. It is a rich source of hydrolyzable tannins and anthocyanins, exhibiting strong antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic properties. Anticancer activities of pomegranate with reference to modulated signaling pathways in various cancer diseases have been recently reviewed. However, less is known about punicalagin (Pug), a prevailing compound in pomegranate, seemingly responsible for its most beneficial properties. In this review, the newest data derived from recent scientific reports addressing Pug impact on neoplastic cells are summarized and discussed. Its attenuating effect on signaling circuits promoting cancer growth and invasion is depicted. The Pug-induced redirection of signal-transduction pathways from survival and proliferation into cell-cycle arrest, apoptosis, senescence, and autophagy (thus compromising neoplastic progression) is delineated. Considerations presented in this review are based mainly on data obtained from in vitro cell line models and concern the influence of Pug on human cervical, ovarian, breast, lung, thyroid, colorectal, central nervous system, bone, as well as other cancer types.

Potential effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum) on rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Taking into account the adverse impact of the drug therapy on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), adjuvant therapies without such undesirable effects have recently gained increasing interest. Several studies have examined the potential properties of pomegranate on RA with some uncertain mechanisms suggested. This review aimed to systematically review the available evidence in this regard.

METHODS

Electronic databases including PubMed, WOS, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase and a search engine Google Scholar were searched until March 2020 and search alert services have been applied to identify related articles published after the initial search. There was no limitation regarding language or publication date. Relevant clinical, animal and in vitro studies were chosen. Review papers, conference abstracts, book chapters and articles regarding the effects of pomegranate in combination with other plants as well as articles regarding the effects of pomegranate on other illnesses were deleted.

RESULTS

Twelve papers were considered in current systematic review. Human, animal and in vitro studies indicated the beneficial effects of pomegranate on clinical symptoms, inflammatory and oxidative factors in RA. Pomegranate is capable to manage RA complications by reducing the inflammation and oxidative stress. No critical unfavourable results following pomegranate consumption were reported.

CONCLUSION

This paper gives compelling evidence regarding the efficacy of pomegranate in RA and justifies the significance of further clinical researches.

Identification of the superior genotypes of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) using morphological and fruit characters

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruits can be used for fresh consumption, industrial processing, and medicinal purposes. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the diversity of its different genotypes to be aware of their potential. In the present study, morphological and pomological diversity of 70 native pomegranate genotypes was evaluated to introduce superior selections. Most of the characters showed significant differences among the genotypes. Fruit weight ranged from 103.28 to 407.59 g, and total aril weight per fruit ranged from 51.55 to 238.97 g. Fruit peel color was highly variable and included yellow, yellow-red, red, and red-brown. The sunburn and cracking disorders were not observed on the peel of the majority of genotypes. Aril color was highly variable, including light milky, pink, white-red, red, and red-black. Seed was soft in 17, semi-soft in 21, and hard in 32 genotypes. Total aril weight per fruit was positively and significantly correlated with fruit length (r = 0.64), fruit diameter (r = 0.87), fruit weight (r = 0.95), fruit stalk diameter (r = 0.52), fruit peel weight (r = 0.71), and aril shape (r = 0.32). Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the fruit-related traits were important for determining differences between genotypes. Based on the ideal values of commercial characters of pomegranate, 15 genotypes were promising and thus could be directly cultivated in the orchards and used in the breeding programs.

Extraction, isolation, characterization and antimicrobial activities of non-extractable polyphenols from pomegranate peel

Non-extractable polyphenols (NEPPs) in pomegranate peel were released by acid hydrolysis followed by extraction using ethyl acetate (EtOAc). Ten NEPPs were identified in the hydrolysate using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Six compounds were then isolated from the EtOAc extracts whose structures were identified as β-sitosterol-3-O-glycoside (1), β-sitosterol (2), ursolic acid (3), corosolic acid (4), asiatic acid (5) and arjunolic acid (6) using a wide range of spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 4-6 were isolated for the first time from pomegranate peel. Antimicrobial experiments revealed that compound 3 and 5 showed significant antimicrobial activity against a range of pathogens, particularly compound 5 which exhibited selective inhibitive activity towards Staphylococcus aureus with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 16 μg/ml. The present study has provided new insights into the composition of bound chemicals in pomegranate peel and laid a foundation for improving its further processing and utilization.

Blanching Pre-Treatment Promotes High Yields, Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidants, Enzyme Inactivation and Antibacterial Activity of 'Wonderful' Pomegranate Peel Extracts at Three Different Harvest Maturities

'Wonderful' pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel contains a wide range of phytochemicals including vitamins, dietary fibre, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant properties. Yet, it is often used as animal feed or discarded in landfills, which is not the best eco-friendly way to utilize this phenolic-rich bioresource. Finding novel ways of utilizing pomegranate peel waste could prove a more profitable and eco-friendlier alternative that is far more beneficial to the economy. Adding a blanching pre-treatment step at optimal conditions prior to processing of pomegranate peel aids in the inactivation of quality changing enzymes such as polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD), which are accountable for the degradation reactions that cause breakdown of nutrients and phytochemicals. This study aimed to determine the effect of blanching at 80 °C for 3 min on the yield, polyphenol content, antioxidant properties, enzyme inactivation, and antibacterial activity of 'Wonderful' pomegranate peel ethanolic extracts from three different harvest maturities (unripe, ripe, and over ripe), including a comprehensive characterization and quantification using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The blanched unripe peel extracts exhibited the highest total phenolic content, total tannin content, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant activity, 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) at 14.0 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dry mass (DM), 1.0 mg GAE/g DM, 359.1 µmol Trolox/g DM, 912.2 µmol Trolox/g DM and 802.5 µmol Trolox/g DM, respectively. There was significant (p < 0.05) decrease in PPO and POD activity of all blanched pomegranate peel extracts. The blanched unripe peel extracts had the lowest PPO activity at 0.2 U/g fresh weight (FW), with a 70% PPO inactivation compared to ripe and over ripe harvest, whereas the highest POD inactivation was recorded at 67% in over ripe peel extracts. All blanched peel extracts, irrespective of harvest maturity, had minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values at 160 µg/mL against all four bacteria strains tested, which included two Gram-positive bacterial strains (Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6051 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 12600) and two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli 11775 and Klebsiella pneumonia ATCC 13883). A total of 25 metabolites including phenolic acids (4), organic acids (1), flavonoids (4), ellagitannins (13), and other polyphenols (3) in all three pomegranate peel samples were tentatively identified after LC-MS profiling. The blanched unripe peel extracts showed significantly higher punicalin α and β, β punicalagin, catechin, epicatechin content at 414 mg/g, and 678 mg/g, 151 mg/g, 229 mg/g, respectively, compared to peel extracts from other harvest maturities. This study provides supportive information for the commercial utilization of pomegranate fruit peel as source of value-added ingredients for the development of novel food, cosmetics, and pharmacological products.

Punica granatum waste to ethanol valorisation employing optimized levels of saccharification and fermentation

Pomegranate peels (PPW) as municipal waste is inexpensive biomass that could be a renewable source of sugars particularly rich in hemicellulosic contents. The subsequent conversion of available sugars in PPW can provide prospective strategy for cost-effective bioenergy production. In this study, an experimental setup based on CCD was implemented with the aim of bioconversion of biomass into bioethanol. The factors considered were Hydrochloric acid concentration (X1), the hydrolysis temperature (X2) and time (X3) for optimization with dilute Hydrochloric acid (HCl) saccharification. The present study investigates the optimised level of bioethanol synthesis from acid pre-treated PPW explained by RSM. Subsequently, three yeasts viz. Saccharomyces cerevisiae K7, Metschnikowia sp. Y31 and M. cibodasensis Y34 were utilized for fermentation of acid hydrolysed and detoxified feed stocks. Optimum values of reducing sugars 48.02 ± 0.02 (gL-1) and total carbohydrates 205.88 ± 0.13 (gL-1) were found when PPW was hydrolyzed with 1% HCl concentration at 100˚C of temperature for 30 min. Later on, fermentation of PPWH after detoxification with 2.5% activated charcoal. The significant ethanol (g ethanol/g of reducing sugars) yields after fermentation with Metschnikowia sp. Y31 and M. cibodasensis Y34 found to be 0.40 ± 0.03 on day 5 and 0.41 ± 0.02 on last day of experiment correspondingly. Saccharomyces cerevisiae K7 also produce maximum ethanol 0.40 ± 0.00 on last day of incubation utilizing the PPWH. The bioconversion of commonly available PPW into bioethanol as emphasize in this study could be a hopeful expectation and also cost-effective to meet today energy crisis.

In-vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial studies of ethanolic plant extracts of P. granatum, O. stamineus, A. bilimbi, M. nigra, and E. longifolia

BACKGROUND

Acne is a serious skin problem that affects mostly adolescents. The topical and systematic therapies are effective but could lead to several side effects and the emergence of antibacterial resistance of the acne-causing bacteria. Plant resources have been used as traditional medicine for centuries and can be the alternative therapies for acne treatment. Antioxidants are compounds that can prevent or delay the oxidation of substrates when present in low concentrations. Antioxidants are usually involved in several mechanisms of action, including the inhibition of free radical generation, enhancement of the scavenging capacity against free radicals, and reducing power.

METHODS

In this study, three antioxidant assays, DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP were used to evaluate the antioxidant properties of the ethanolic extracts of five plant extracts (A. bilimbi, M. nigra, O. stamineus, P. granatum, and E. longifolia). Furthermore, the study aimed to identify the most potent plant extracts and their combination which could provide better antibacterial activities against acne-causing bacteria. Ethanolic extracts of A. bilimbi, O. stamineus, M. nigra, P. granatum, and E. longifolia were prepared by the Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) technique. Their phytochemical contents were screened using several biochemical tests and GC-MS analysis.

RESULTS

The study found that only the extracts of P. granatum and O. stamineus exhibited good antioxidant activity using DPPH assay (82.37% and 81.72% μg/mL respectively) and in ABTS assay (87.25% and 88.85% μg/mL respectively); their observed FRAP values were 115.1667 ± 5.6182 and 41.3860 ± 2.4583 μg/mL, respectively. The preliminary antibacterial screening using the disc diffusion method showed that P. granatum and O. stamineus were the most potent extracts; hence, both extracts were combined at the ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 to a total concentration of 400 mg/mL.

DISCUSSION

The antibacterial efficacy of the mixture was studied using the disc diffusion method and the MIC value was determined. Both S. aureus and S. epidermidis were sensitive to all the individual and combined extracts but C. acnes was resistant to all of them.

CONCLUSION

The antibacterial activity of the combined extracts against S. aureus showed a synergistic effect at the ratio of 2:1 with the inhibitory zone diameter of 18.00 ± 1.00 mm and MIC value of 12.5 mg/mL; however, antagonistic effects were observed against S. epidermidis while no effect was noted against C. acnes. Therefore, all the selected plant extracts exhibited antibacterial activities against certain bacteria and their effects may be enhanced by combining the plant extracts.