PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROFILE OF PUNICA GRANATUM: AN OVERVIEW

Abstract

The pomegranate, Punica granatum belongs to family lythraceae is an ancient, mystical, unique fruit borne on a small, long-living tree cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region, as far north as the Himalayas, in Southeast Asia, and in California and Arizona in the United States.   Phytochemical investigation for current research seems to indicate the most therapeutically beneficial pomegranate constituents are ellagic acid ellagitannins (including punicalagins), punicic acid, flavonoids, anthocyanidins, anthocyanins, and estrogenic flavonols and flavones. Pharmacological activity proved its an antioxidant, an anticarcinogenic, and an anti-inflammatory properties of pomegranate constituents have been published, focusing on treatment and prevention of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dental conditions, erectile dysfunction, bacterial infections and antibiotic resistance and ultraviolet radiation-induced skin damage. Other potential applications include infant brain ischemia, male infertility, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis and obesity.