Isolation, characterization, antioxidant activity, and protein-precipitating capacity of the hydrolyzable tannin punicalagin from pomegranate yellow peel ( Punica granatum )

Ellagitannins From Pomegranate Flower With Whitening and Anti-Skin Photoaging Effect

A new depside glucoside rosarugoside E (1), together with four known compounds punicalagin (2), corilagin (3), granatin B (4), and ellagic acid (5) were isolated from the ethanol extract of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) flower. Their structures were identified based on careful analysis of various spectral data including ultraviolet, infrared, high-resolution electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry, and 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance. The whitening and anti-aging effects of all compounds were evaluated based on the levels of protein and gene. The result displayed that all compounds exhibited inhibitory activity for tyrosinase at maximum safe concentration, except for compound 2. Compounds 3 and 5 exhibited significant inhibitory activity for tyrosinase, indicating their whitening efficacy. The anti-aging activity evaluation assay showed that all compounds could downregulate the expression of the MMP1 gene, decrease the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1, and increase the content of type 1 collagen at the maximum safe concentration compared with negative control (ultraviolet A irradiation treatment).

Advanced Extraction Techniques Combined with Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents for Extracting Phenolic Compounds from Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Peels

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel is a potential source of bioactive phenolic compounds such as ellagic acid and α- and β-punicalagin. This work explores the efficiency of natural deep eutectic solvents combined with ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) for their extraction. Five NaDESs were evaluated by employing UAE (25 °C, for 50 min) to determine their total phenolic content (Folin-Ciocalteu assay) and ellagic acid and α- and β-punicalagin contents (high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD)). The NaDES composed of choline chloride (ChCl) and glycerol (Gly) (1:2, molar ratio) was the most efficient in the UAE when compared with the rest of the NaDESs and water extracts. Therefore, ChCl:Gly was further evaluated using PLE at different temperatures (40, 80, 120 and 160 °C). The PLE-NaDES extract obtained at 80 °C for 20 min at 1500 psi exhibited the highest contents of ellagic acid and α- and β-punicalagin compared to the rest of the temperatures and PLE-water extracts obtained under the same extraction conditions. Combining UAE or PLE with a NaDES emerges as a sustainable alternative for extracting ellagic acid and α- and β-punicalagin from pomegranate peel.

Antioxidant Activity of Aqueous Extracts Obtained from By-Products of Grape, Olive, Tomato, Lemon, Red Pepper and Pomegranate

The aim of this work was to study the antioxidant potential of aqueous extracts obtained from different by-products. The effectiveness of these extracts was compared with that of rosemary extract. Total phenol carotenoid and vitamin C contents, as well as in vitro antioxidant activity, were assessed. Phenol content was positively correlated with in vitro antioxidant activity in extracts, while carotenoids showed a less clear relationship. Vitamin C was associated with antioxidant activity in lemon and pepper pomace extracts. Extracts from olive, grape, and lemon by-products displayed the highest antioxidant activity (radical scavenging activity), this being similar to the activity of rosemary extracts. Moreover, the phenolic profile of the extracts was analyzed, revealing diverse phenolic compounds. Rosemary extracts contained the highest variety and quantity of phenolic compounds, while olive pomace extracts were rich in hydroxytyrosol and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. Lemon and pepper extracts contained high amounts of tyrosol, and tomato extracts had abundant epicatechin. The PCA analysis distinguished extracts based on in vitro antioxidant activity, phenol, carotenoid, and vitamin C content, along with their phenolic compound profiles. This study emphasizes the capacity of aqueous extract by-products as valuable sources of antioxidants and highlights the importance of understanding their bioactive components.

Multifaceted Neuroprotective Role of Punicalagin: A Review

Millions of people worldwide are currently afflicted with neurologic conditions like a seizure, depression, stress, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. However, the precise etiopathology of these diseases is still unknown. Substantial studies are being conducted to discover more treatments against these disorders because many patients do not experience the therapeutic benefits that would be expected from using existing pharmaceutical strategies. Herbal medicines which have been used in traditional medicine for millennia to treat various neurological problems are also being investigated and scientifically assessed. Punicalagin is a known polyphenol that has significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-proliferative, and anti-cancer properties. Around the world, traditional use of herbal drugs is gaining wider acceptance as a part of complementary and alternative medicine. The scientific community should pay attention to these many neuroprotective pharmacodynamic activities of Punicalagin to create effective pharmacotherapeutic plans, as evidenced by mounting data in pre-clinical research investigations. The current review describes the recent studies on the pharmacological effects of Punicalagin in a variety of neurological illnesses and paves the way for further study in this field.

Punica granatum as Anticandidal and Anti-HIV Agent: An HIV Oral Cavity Potential Drug

The oral cavity is crucial from diagnosis to adherence to HAART therapy in the HIV/AIDS population; consequently, drugs that can maintain healthy conditions in the oral cavity are necessary for patients with HIV/AIDS. Punica granatum (pomegranate) is a tree that has been employed extensively for centuries in the traditional medicine of ancient cultures for the treatment of a wide range of diseases, including oral and dental diseases. In recent decades, its potent anticandidal properties have been shown, especially on Candida albicans, the cause of the most common clinical manifestation in HIV patients. The present work contributes to the review of the anti-HIV and anticandidal properties of the plant species P. granatum as involved with the oral cavity. The literature reviewed revealed that crude extracts of pomegranate and its main isolated compounds possess inhibitory activity on different HIV targets, including binding viral proteins and the three replicative HIV enzymes. In addition, in the literature reviewed, pomegranate exhibited anticandidal effects on 10 different species. Thus, pomegranate appears to be an excellent candidate to explore and incorporate into the treatment of the oral cavity of HIV/AIDS patients, in that, in addition to its pharmacological effects such as antiviral and anticandidal, pomegranate represents an easily available, inexpensive, and safe natural source.

Stabilization of PE with Pomegranate Extract: Contradictions and Possible Mechanisms

Dry pomegranate peel was extracted with acetone and the extract was added to a Phillips type polyethylene. The concentration of the extract was changed from 0 to 1000 ppm in six steps and stabilization efficiency was checked by the multiple extrusion of the polymer followed by the characterization of chemical structure, processing, and residual stability. The results confirmed the excellent processing stabilization efficiency of the extract, but also the poor long-term stability of PE containing it in accordance with previously published results. The extract is amorphous and its solubility is relatively large in the polymer; thus, these factors cannot be the reason for the poor stabilization efficiency in an oxygen-rich environment. Chemical factors like the self-interaction of the polyphenol molecules, the stability of the radicals forming after hydrogen abstraction, and the lack of hydrogens with the necessary reactivity must be considered during the evaluation of the efficiency of the extract. These factors as well as the insufficient number of active hydrogens hinder the reaction of the additive molecules with oxygen-centered radicals, thus leading to inferior long-term stability. The extract can be used for the processing stabilization of polymers, but for applications requiring long-term stability, it must be combined with other natural antioxidants like flavonoids or Vitamin E.

Punicalagin Regulates Signaling Pathways in Inflammation-Associated Chronic Diseases

Inflammation is a complex biological defense system associated with a series of chronic diseases such as cancer, arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. The extracts of pomegranate fruit and peel have been reported to possess health-beneficial properties in inflammation-associated chronic diseases. Punicalagin is considered to be the major active component of pomegranate extracts. In this review we have focused on recent studies into the therapeutic effects of punicalagin on inflammation-associated chronic diseases and the regulatory roles in NF-κB, MAPK, IL-6/JAK/STAT3 and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. We have concluded that punicalagin may be a promising therapeutic compound in preventing and treating inflammation-associated chronic diseases, although further clinical studies are required.

Physiological and Immune Functions of Punicalagin

The aim of this publication is to compile a summary of the findings regarding punicalagin in various tissues described thus far in the literature, with an emphasis on the effect of this substance on immune reactions. Punicalagin (PUN) is an ellagitannin found in the peel of pomegranate (Punica granatum). It is a polyphenol with proven antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-atherosclerotic and chemopreventive activities, antiproliferative activity against tumor cells; it inhibits inflammatory pathways and the action of toxic substances, and is highly tolerated. This work describes the source, metabolism, functions and effects of punicalagin, its derivatives and metabolites. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects are described.

HPLC-DAD and UHPLC/QTOF-MS Analysis of Polyphenols in Extracts of the African Species Combretum padoides, C. zeyheri and C. psidioides Related to Their Antimycobacterial Activity

Combretum padoides Engl. & Diels, C. psidioides Welv. and C. zeyheri Sond. are used forthe treatment of infections and tuberculosis related symptoms in African traditional medicine. In orderto verify these uses, extracts were screened for their growth inhibitory eects against M. smegmatisATCC 14468. Ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flightmass spectrometry (UHPLC/QTOF-MS) and GC-MS were used to investigate the polyphenoliccomposition in the active extracts. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), 625 g/mL,was shown by a methanol extract of the stem bark of C. psidioides. A butanol extract of C. psidioidesgave large inhibition zone diameters (IZD 21 mm) and inhibited 84% of the mycobacterial growthat 312 g/mL. Combretastatin B-2 and dihydrostilbene derivatives were present in the methanolextract of C. psidioides, whereas the butanol extract of this species contained punicalagin, corilagin,and sanguiin H-4. Methanol and butanol extracts of the stem bark of C. padoides gave large inhibitionzone diameters (IZD 26.5 mm) and MIC values of 1250 and 2500 g/mL, respectively. C. padoidescontained an ellagitannin with a mass identical to punicalagin ([M-H]- 1083.0587) and a corilaginlike derivative ([M-H]- 633.0750) as well as ellagic acid arabinoside and methyl ellagic acid xyloside.A butanol extract of the roots of C. zeyheri showed mild antimycobacterial activity and containeda gallotannin at m/z [M-H]- 647.0894 as the main compound along with punicalagin and threeunknown ellagitannins at m/z [M-H]- 763.0788, 765.0566, and 817.4212. Our results indicate thatthe studied species of Combretum contain phenolic and polyphenolic compounds with possiblepotential as leads for antimycobacterial drugs or as adjuvants for conventional anti-TB drugs.

Effects of Blueberry and Black Carrot Extracts Addition on Antioxidant Properties and Protein-Precipitating Capacity of Ultrasound-Treated Cider

The results presented in this study highlight the level of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and protein-precipitating capacity (PPC) correlated with the antioxidant capacity of new cider varieties enriched with valuable bio compounds by the addition of blueberry and black carrot extracts. The cider variants were treated with ultrasound (constant frequency of 20 kHz) at 20%, 30% and 40% amplitude (A) for two, five or seven minutes. TPC determination was performed by Folin–Ciocâlteu method and TFC was determined by an aluminum chloride colorimetric method. The antioxidant capacity was determined by ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) assay and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity. The results showed that the antioxidant performance indicators (FRAP, ABTS and DPPH) were positively correlated with the TPC and TFC of the ultrasound-treated cider variants, suggesting that the content of these bio compounds may be improved by the treatments applied. The highest mean values for TPC and TFC were found in the cider variant enriched with black carrot extract (0.3%, v/v), subsequently ultrasound-treated (A20%, five minutes) Conclusively, the extracts used in this study could improve the antioxidant capacity of the cider, especially in case of variants ultrasound-treated.

The Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Anti-Tyrosinase Activities, and Irritation Properties of Sripanya Punica granatum Peel Extract

This is the first study to investigate the effect of ethanol concentrations on the phenolic content and biological activities of Sripanya Punica granatum peel extract. Various concentrations of ethanol, (20 to 80% v/v), were used in the maceration process. Extracts were investigated for total phenolic content by the Folin–Ciocalteu method, antioxidant activities by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay, and anti-tyrosinase activity by a spectrophotometric method. The chemical composition was investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography. The irritation of the extracts was determined by Hen’s egg test–chorioallantoic membrane assay. The results demonstrated that E60, which was extracted using 60% v/v ethanol, had the highest yield (66.23 ± 0.38% w/w), the highest total phenolic content (490.42 ± 7.20 μg GAE/g), and the highest antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activities. IC50 values on DPPH• and ABTS•+ inhibition were 10.97 ± 0.97 and 6.48 ± 0.06 µg/mL, respectively. The 60% v/v ethanol extract (E60) possessed strong tyrosinase inhibition with an IC50 value of 0.10 ± 0.13 µg/mL, which is more potent than kojic acid. The major constituents were punicalagin (4.05 ± 0.26% w/w) and ellagic acid (0.63 ± 0.04% w/w). E60 was safe for topical application since it did not induce irritation. Therefore, we suggest that E60 is a promising agent for further product development.

Development of analytical method for the quality control of the fruit bark of Punica granatum L. (pomegranate) and antichemotatic activity of extract and rich fraction in punicalagins

Pomegranate is of current interest owing to the existing potential for industrial uses of fruit peels. This includes its availability as a raw vegetable material, a byproduct that constitutes residue in the use of the species and is recognized as a functional product, and beneficial health properties, as will be demonstrated in the studies cited. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure its effectiveness and safety. Toward this end, the aim of this study was to develop and validate an analytical method for the separation and quantification of total punicalagin present in the bark of the fruit of Punica granatum by HPLC. Purity tests such as water determination and total ashes were also performed. The ability of the extract and enriched fraction of punicalagin to inhibit leukocyte migration in vitro was determined by the Boyden's chamber method. The developed HPLC method demonstrated good separation and quantification of the punicalagin α and β anomers. The method is efficient and reliable, and can ultimately be used for the analysis of the extract of pomegranate. The crude extract and the fraction of punicalagins significantly inhibited leukocyte migration at concentrations of 1 and 10 μg/mL in relation to the negative control, indicating potential antichemotactic action.