Health Coming from Pomegranate

Abstract

Pomegranate, Punica granatum L., a member of the Punicacae family, is an edible fruit known to be used for medicinal purposes from ancient times to the present day, just like many other plants. The roots, flowers, fruit, bark, aril (seed), and other parts of the pomegranate are actively used in the health sector. The aim of this current study is to evaluate the health effects of pomegranate, which can be consumed as a functional food from past to present, under different subtitles. Pomegranate and its by-products have features such as anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-obesity, antineurodegenerative, anti-atherosclerotic, wound healing, and the interest in the medical use of pomegranate is increasing day by day. The phenolic substances such as flavonoids, polyphenols, ellagitannins (gallic acid, ellagic acid, punicalin, punicalagin, luteolin, quercetin, kaempferol, glycoside, pedunculagin) give this functionality to the pomegranate fruit. Thanks to these substances, pomegranate has effects such as reducing blood glucose levels, increasing apoptosis in cancer cells, reducing the levels of some blood fats such as low-density lipoporotein (LDL) and total cholesterol (TC) and waist circumference, reducing neuroinflammation, and increasing the antioxidant effect by reducing oxidative stress. It is still controversial whether the active substances in pomegranate cause drug interactions. It should be known that pomegranate and its derivatives may interact with drugs that inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), antihypertensives, carbamazepine, warfarin, rosuvastatin, and tolbutamide, and care should be taken. To sum up, some bioactive substances, especially punicalagin and punicalin, found in different parts of the pomegranate, are the main factors that make the pomegranate so unique. Owing to the functions these substances bring to the fruit, pomegranate plays an active role in the protection and maintenance of health. It is recommended to include pomegranate in the daily diet.