Pomegranate (Punica granatum L. formerly in Punicaceae family) considered to be super food worldwide, belongs to the family Lythraceae. It is primarily cultivated in the Middle East, north and tropical Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Asia and Latin America. The medicinal potential of pomegranate is extensively mentioned in the ancient literature and also used in different system of medicines for a variety of ailments. The chemical constituents of pomegranate have increased the research concern of this fruit in the current years. It includes a variety of bioactive compounds such as quercetin, ellagic acid, punicalagin, pedunculagin, tannic acid, anthocyanins, rutin, catechin and polyphenols. These components of pomegranate possess antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, anticancerous, anti-mutagenic, cytoprotective, cardiovascular protective, anti-diabetic, anti-ulcerogenic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial and antifungal potentials. It can enhance the male fertility and also protect from the UV induced skin damage. Furthermore, it also illustrate the inhibitory effects on vital metabolic enzymes, stimulate cell differentiation and toxicological properties. The pomegranate also impedes with numerous signalling pathways, which include Bax, Bcl-X, Bad, ERK1/2, JNK, PI3K/AKT, mTOR, PI3K, MAPK and P38. The present review will extensively discuss the above properties of pomegranate and its extracts, supporting the rich nutritive and healthy advantages of the fruit belonging to the monogeneric family.
Inhibitory Effects of Two Varieties of Tunisian Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Extracts on Gastrointestinal Transit in Rat
