Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.): nutraceutical compounds and medicinal properties.

摘要

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has been used as a natural source of medicine since ancient time. The fruit exhibits very high antioxidant activity due to presence of several nutraceutical compounds viz. anthocyanins, phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, minerals and antioxidant vitamins. Being a very rich source of bioactive compounds, the fruit is used in therapeutics, such as in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal problems, diarrhoea, diabetes, cancer etc. due to its enormous nutraceutical and therapeutic potential. It can be used in both pharmaceuticals and as a dietary supplement. Several processed products can also be prepared from the pomegranate fruit. The aim of this present article is to throw light on the nutraceutical compounds present in pomegranate fruit and their medicinal properties.