CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS, BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES AND PART SPECIFIC PHARMACOLOGY OF PUNICA GRANATUM L.: REVIEW

Punica granatum L., commonly known as pomegranate, is a medicinal and edible plant valued for its nutritional properties and diverse pharmacological potential. Different parts of the plant including root, stem bark, leaves, flowers, fruit peel, arils, juice, seeds, and seed oil contain chemically distinct groups of bioactive compounds. Hydrolysable tannins and ellagitannins, particularly punicalagin, punicalin, ellagic acid, and gallic acid, are abundant in the peel, bark, leaves, flowers, and fruit. Flavonoids, anthocyanins, alkaloids, triterpenes, sterols, and fatty acids further contribute to the biological effects of the plant. Reported activities include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anthelmintic, wound-healing, and anticancer effects. However, the evidence is predominantly derived from chemical assays, cell-based experiments, and animal studies. Clinical evidence remains comparatively limited and is mainly available for fruit juice and standardized fruit extracts. Chemical composition varies according to cultivar, geographical origin, maturity, plant part, extraction method, and storage conditions. Therefore, botanical authentication, extract standardization, appropriate toxicity evaluation, and well-designed clinical studies are essential before therapeutic claims can be established.