White Bean seeds and Pomegranate peel and fruit seeds as hypercholesterolemic and hypolipidemic agents in albino rats

Effect of Pomegranate Peel Consumption on Liver Enzymes, Lipid Profile, Liver Steatosis, and Hs-CRP in Patients With Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial

The most prevalent chronic liver disease for which there is currently no proven treatment is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). An incomplete understanding of the underlying mechanisms of NAFLD may be the cause. The onset and development of this illness appear to be influenced by problems with lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Considering the antioxidant properties of pomegranate peel extract, this study was conducted to determine the effects of pomegranate peel consumption on some metabolic features in patients with NAFLD. Our hypothesis is that pomegranate peel can improve the grade of fatty liver, liver enzymes, lipid profile, serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and anthropometric indices. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of pomegranate peel extract in NAFLD patients. This double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 46 patients with NAFLD. Patients were randomly assigned to intervention group (n = 23) and placebo group (n = 23). Patients in the pomegranate peel group consumed two capsules, each containing 500 mg pomegranate peel extract daily as a part of low-calorie diet (i.e., 500-deficit calorie diet) for 10 weeks. While patients in the control group followed the low calorie diet and two capsules containing 500 mg maltodextrin. At the beginning and end of the study, demographic information, anthropometric indices, food intake, physical activity level, grade of fatty liver, liver enzymes, lipid profile, and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured. Food intake was measured by 24-h food recall questionnaires and physical activity was measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Analysis of food recall questionnaire was done using Nutritionist IV program. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 22), and a p value < 0.05 was defined as statistically significant. Of 46 patients, 42 of them completed the trial. At the end of the trial, pomegranate peel group had significantly higher reduction in TG (triglycerides), ALT(alanine aminotransferase), AST(aspartate transferase), hs-CRP and also had higher significant increase in HDL-C(high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) compared to the control group (p = 0/02, p = 0/02, p = 0/01, p = 0/01, and p = 0/04, respectively). However, changes in LDL-C, TC, ALP, GGT, and fatty liver grade were not significantly different between the two groups at the end of the study. The current study indicates that pomegranate peel extract has a favorable effect on liver enzymes, lipid profile, and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with NAFLD. To support these results, trials examining various dosages over longer time periods are necessary.

Pomegranate Peel Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Properties, Methods of Extraction, and Its Application: A Comprehensive Review

Pomegranate peel, derived from the processing of Punica granatum L. (pomegranate), has traditionally been considered agricultural waste. However, recent studies have revealed its potential as a rich source of bioactive compounds with diverse pharmacological effects. Pomegranate peel is a rich reservoir of antioxidants, polyphenols, dietary fiber, and vitamins, which contribute to its remarkable bioactivity. Studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, wound healing, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties of pomegranate peel owing to the presence of phytochemicals, such as gallic acid, ellagic acid, and punicalagin. The extraction of bioactive compounds from pomegranate peel requires a careful selection of techniques to maximize the yield and quality. Green extraction methods, including pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), offer efficient and sustainable alternatives to traditional methods. Furthermore, pomegranate peel has been utilized in the food industry, where it can significantly enhance the nutritional value, organoleptic characteristics, and shelf life of food products. Pomegranate peel has the potential to be used to develop innovative functional foods, nutraceuticals, and other value-added products, providing new opportunities for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel extract ameliorates metabolic syndrome risk factors in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized double-blind clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic syndrome (MS)-related liver disorder that has an increasing prevalence. Thus, the aim of our study is to evaluate the effects of pomegranate peel extract (PP) supplementation on hepatic status and metabolic syndrome risk factors.

METHODS

In phase one, the hydro-alcoholic extraction of the peel of 750 kg of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) was performed by the soaking method. Then, in phase two, NAFLD patients received 1500 mg of placebo (n = 37) or pomegranate peel capsules (n = 39) with a 500-kcal deficit diet for 8 weeks. Gastrointestinal intolerance, dietary intake, lipid and glycemic profiles, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body composition, insulin resistance indexes, and elastography-evaluated NAFLD changes were followed.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 43.1 ± 8.6 years (51.3% female). Following the intervention, the mean body weight (mean changes: -5.10 ± 2.30 kg), waist circumference (-7.57 ± 2.97 cm), body mass index (-1.82 ± 0.85 kg/m2), body fat index (-1.49 ± 0.86), and trunk fat (- 3.93 ± 3.07%), systolic (-0.63 ± 0.29 cmHg) and diastolic (-0.39 ± 0.19 cmHg) blood pressure, total cholesterol (-10.51 ± 0.77 mg/dl), triglyceride (-16.02 ± 1.7 mg/dl), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-9.33 ± 6.66 mg/dl; all P < 0.001), fat free mass (- 0.92 ± 0.90 kg; P < 0.003), and fasting blood sugar (-5.28 ± 1.36 mg/dl; P = 0.02) decreased significantly in PP in contrast to the placebo group in the raw model and when adjusted for confounders. Also, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (5.10 ± 0.36 mg/dl), liver steatosis and stiffness (- 0.30 ± 0.17 and - 0.72 ± 0.35 kPa, respectively, all P < 0.001) improved in the PP group. However, fasting insulin (P = 0.81) and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (P = 0.93) were not significantly different when comparing two groups during the study in the raw and even adjusted models.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, 1500 mg pomegranate peel extract along with a weight-loss diet improved metabolic syndrome risk factors and reduced hepatic steatosis in patients with NAFLD after 8 weeks.

The effects of pomegranate peel added bread on anthropometric measurements, metabolic and oxidative parameters in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensory properties of antioxidant-rich bread made by adding pomegranate peels and their effects on anthropometric measurements and metabolic and oxidative parameters of individuals with type 2 diabetes after consumption.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted with 22 individuals aged between 19 and 64 years who had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for at least 5 years, used only metformin, did not lose more than 10% of their body weight in the last 6 months, and had a body mass index of ≥ 25.0 kg/m². While the study group (n = 11) consumed bread containing 500 mg pomegranate peel daily for 8 wk, the control group (n = 11) consumed standard bread. Anthropometric measurements and metabolic and oxidative parameters of individuals were evaluated at the beginning and end of the study.

RESULTS

Decreases were detected in the waist circumference, waist/hip and waist/height ratios, body fat percentages, blood pressure, and serum insulin, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels in the individuals in the treatment group, compared with those in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Pomegranate peel consumption by individuals with type 2 diabetes may have positive effects on anthropometric measurements and glycemic and lipid parameters.

Antioxidant, Anti-Cancer Activity and Phytochemicals Profiling of Kigelia pinnata Fruits

Over the past few years, research studies on the therapeutic benefits of medicinal plants with potent antioxidant activity and few side effects have grown significantly. This has sparked interest in determining whether naturally occurring antioxidants could take the place of synthetic antioxidants, which are currently being constricted because of their toxic and carcinogenic properties. The identification and quantification of phytochemicals in the methanolic extract of Kigelia pinnata fruits was measured using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) techniques. Additionally, the methanolic extract of fruits was used to determine antioxidant activity. Free radical-scavenging (DPPH) and ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power were measured using spectrophotometry, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was compared with two common antioxidants, vitamin C and α-tocopherol. Moreover, mature fruits have high DDPH, ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power and total antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, mature fruits have high levels of total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin content; these compounds are thought to be the sources of the antioxidant activity. The major constituents of the methanolic extracts from the mature fruits of K. pinnata were found to be larixinic acid, 3,5-Dihydroxy-6-methyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-pyran-4-one (DMDP), and 5-Hydrxoymethylfurfural. We performed the elemental analysis of the whole fruit. Huh-7 (liver cancer), PANC-1 (pancreatic cancer), Colo-205 (colorectal cancer), HT-29 (colorectal cancer), SNU-16 (gastric carcinoma), SW620 (colorectal adenocarcinoma) and HCT116 (colon carcinoma) were tested in vitro for anticancer activity. Both methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of mature fruits had a positive effect on all cancer cell lines as compared to the doxorubicin drug. In addition, the methanolic extracts of mature fruits showed more potent cytotoxic effects than the ethyl acetate extracts. Moreover, the most pronounced cytotoxic effects of the methanolic extract were detected in SW620 (colorectal adenocarcinoma), with an IC50 value of 6.79 μg/mL, SNU-16 (gastric carcinoma), with and IC50 value of 8.69 μg/ ml, and in PANC-1 (pancreatic cancer) with an IC50 value of 10.34 μg/mL. Moreover, the results show that the water, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of mature fruits have antioxidant capacity, ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power, DPPH scavenging activity and also anticancer activity. Therefore, the present study suggests that the phytochemical profiles of mature fruits of K. pinnata may be used as potential natural antioxidants and anti-cancer cell lines.

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.

Biological Activities of Grape Seed By-Products and Their Potential Use as Natural Sources of Food Additives in the Production of Balady Bread

The biological function of bioactive compounds found in plant by-products has triggered expanded interest in recent years. This study aims to produce balady bread enriched with dietary fiber, mineral, and phenolic compounds by the addition of grape seeds powder (GSP) at different levels (5%, 10%, and 15% as a partial substitute for wheat flour). The results show that balady bread (Bb) and grape seed powder have ash contents of about 1.97% and 3.04%, lipid contents of 3.22% and 17.15%, protein contents of 11.16% and 12.10%, fiber contents of 1.06% and 44.90%, and carbohydrates contents of 56.52% and 29%, respectively. Moreover, grape seed powder contains a higher level of iron and zinc about 30.02 and 9.43 mg/kg than the Bb control sample which contains about 8.19 and 7.25 mg/kg respectively. The findings revealed that balady bread fortified with grape seed powder contains a high amount of total polyphenols content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TF), and antioxidant capacity. The farinograph test results showed that increasing the GSP concentration in the flour above 10% reduced dough development, stability, and farinograph quality number. The addition of GSP to wheat flour accelerated the dough’s water absorption and mixing tolerance. Grape seed incorporation levels up to 10% (w/w) had no negative effect on dough rheological performance. The sensory evaluation of bread showed that samples that were enriched with grape seeds powder at up to 10% had good quality. Based on these findings, it is recommended to replace up to 10% GSP in the manufacturing of fortified balady bread with satisfactory physical and sensory characteristics and high TPC and antioxidant activity.

Effect of pomegranate peel supplementation on nutritional, organoleptic and stability properties of cookies

The present study aims at highlighting the nutritive potential of pomegranate peel and its possible utilization as an ingredient of choice to nutritionally enrich cookies. Biochemical composition and free radical scavenging features of pomegranate peel powder (PoP) and PoP supplemented cookies were measured. PoP supplementation significantly (p < 0.05) improved dietary fibers (0.32-1.96 g/100 g), total phenols (90.7-161.9 mg GAE/100 g) and inorganic residues (0.53-0.76 g/100 g) of cookies. Similarly, significant increase in Ca, K, Fe and Zn levels was noted in supplemented cookies. Almost 50% 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was recorded in cookies carrying highest concentration of PoP and phenolic contents. PoP phenolics of supplemented cookies were shown to reduce oxidative degradation during four months storage. Present study suggests PoP supplementation in baked products as a potential source of micro and macronutrients. Application of PoP in ready to serve foods seems to be a potential disease preventive and ameliorative approach in tandem with its preservation and nutritional enhancement features.