Pomegranate Peel Research Articles

Citric acid cross-linked pomegranate peel extract-loaded pH-responsive β-cyclodextrin/carboxymethyl tapioca starch hydrogel film for diabetic wound healing

Pomegranate peel extract (PPE) hydrogel films filled with citric acid (CA) and β-cyclodextrin-carboxymethyl tapioca starch (CMS) were designed mainly to prevent wound infections and speed up the healing process. FTIR and NMR studies corroborated the carboxymethylation of neat tapioca starch (NS). CMS exhibited superior swelling behavior than NS. The amount of CA and β-CD controlled the physicochemical parameters of developed PPE/CA/β-CD/CMS films. Optimized film (OF) exhibited acceptable swellability, wound fluid absorptivity, water vapor transmission rate, water contact angle, and mechanical properties. Biodegradable, biocompatible, and antibacterial films exhibited pH dependence in the release of ellagic acid for up to 24 h. In mice model, PPE/CA/β-CD/CMS hydrogel film treatment showed promising wound healing effects, including increased collagen deposition, reduced inflammation, activation of the Wingless-related integration site (wnt) pathway leading to cell division, proliferation, and migration to the wound site. The expression of the WNT3A gene did not show any significant differences among all the studied groups. Developed PPE-loaded CA/β-CD/CMS film promoted wound healing by epithelialization, granulation tissue thickness, collagen deposition, and angiogenesis, hence could be recommended as a biodegradable and antibacterial hydrogel platform to improve the cell proliferation during the healing of diabetic wounds.

Enhanced production of gamma‐aminobutyric acid in fermented carrot juice by utilizing pectin hydrolysate derived from pomegranate waste

AbstractIn this study, a functional fermented beverage enriched with gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) was produced. To achieve this, the prebiotic abilities of pectin obtained from pomegranate peel and its enzymatic hydrolysates were evaluated. Additionally, a functional fermented beverage enriched with GABA was produced by fermenting carrot juice with pectin hydrolysates. First, pectin was obtained at a yield of 8.91% from pomegranate peels. Pectinase‐catalyzed hydrolysis of the obtained pectin was applied using different enzyme concentrations and hydrolysis times, and the effect of these hydrolysates on the growth of Levilactobacillus brevis was determined. Although the Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectra of the resulting hydrolysates were similar, their degree of esterification compared to that of pectin was statistically different (p < .05). Considering the viability analysis and GABA production of L. brevis in the liquid medium supplemented with pectin or its hydrolysate, the hydrolysate obtained by treatment with 400 μL enzyme for 2 h and having a high glucose content (216.80 mg/100 g) was selected for application in fermented carrot juice. During fermentation (24, 48, and 72 h), a remarkable change was observed, especially in the amounts of lactic acid and malic acid, while the amount of GABA in carrot juice varied between 25 and 46 mg/mL and increased with the increase in hydrolysate concentration. It was observed that the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of carrot juice were highly affected by the hydrolysate concentration. This study demonstrated that pectin hydrolysate obtained from food waste could be a potential prebiotic and could be used in the production of a functional beverage with improved GABA content.

Antioxidant potential of pomegranate peel and acorn cupule extracts: A comparative analysis in simulated In vitro digestion of uncured dry sausages

The study investigated the effects of incorporating quercetin and varying amounts of polyphenols (0, 1.25, and 12.5 mg/digestion) from two natural sources, pomegranate peel (PPE) and acorn cupule (ACE), on lipid and protein oxidation during gastrointestinal digestion of uncured dry sausages. Quercetin significantly reduced levels of lipid and protein oxidation markers, as well as the levels of PPE and ACE added, compared to the control. The antioxidant effects of PPE and ACE were dose-dependent. The greater the amount of added polyphenols (12.5 vs. 1.25 mg/digest), the lower the oxidation. ACE exhibited a greater antioxidant effect than PPE, reducing the formation of malondialdehyde in the digests. Conversely, PPE demonstrated a stronger antioxidant effect than ACE in terms of protein oxidation, decreasing the formation of carbonyl groups in the digests. Our study underscores the critical need to address the potential health risks associated with consuming uncured dry sausages, emphasizing the remarkable antioxidant capabilities of pomegranate peel extract and acorn cupule extract, which offer significant protective effects against lipid and protein oxidation during digestion, highlighting the importance of promoting consumer awareness regarding antioxidant-rich dietary choices to mitigate harmful compound formation.

Synergistic Impact of Pomegranate Peel Extract and High Hydrostatic Pressure on Controlling Discolouration and Oxidation in Iberian Dry Sausage Throughout Storage

AbstractThis study aimed to assess the impact of high-pressure processing and the inclusion of a pomegranate peel extract (PPE) on colour, antioxidant residual activities and lipid and protein oxidation of dry-cured and uncured sausages during 120 days of refrigerated storage. Nitrite and PPE were added into the sausage formulations following four treatments: (1) 150 mg/kg NaNO2 (C_Pos), (2) 0 mg/kg NaNO2 (C_Neg), (3) 0 mg/kg NaNO2 + 1% PPE (PPE1) and (4) 0 mg/kg NaNO2 + 2% PPE (PPE2). The four dry sausage batches were divided into two groups, one left untreated (0.1 MPa) and the other subjected to high hydrostatic pressure treatment (600 MPa, 8 min). The results revealed significant differences in the initial oxidation levels, with nitrite removal leading to increased lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation. The pomegranate extract surpasses nitrite in the amount of residual antioxidant activity in the sausages and was comparable to nitrites in controlling lipid and protein oxidation. Despite this, thiols were affected, decreasing their value in batches with added pomegranate extract. Finally, the colour of the dry sausages varied significantly towards more yellowish and less reddish when the pomegranate extract was added.

Adsorption and Incorporation of AgNPs Mediated by Seed Priming in Cultivated Taify Pomegranate: Integrated Approaches

A novel approach known as seed priming has been developed to improve seed germination and, ultimately, increase growth and yield. For high-value crops like pomegranates (Punica granatum) in high-altitude regions like the Taif area, affordable, sustainable, and efficient seed treatments are yet to be discovered. In this study, we employed a green synthesis method using pomegranate peel and coffee ground extracts to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) at a concentration of 80 mg/mL. These AgNPs were then utilized to prime pomegranate seeds for 24 h. Furthermore, a chemical reduction method using trisodium citrate was used for comparison. The adsorption of NPs was verified using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), while their incorporation was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We further validated our EM results with X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). According to the findings of this study, AgNPs were observed to be present within seeds even after undergoing storage during priming. There is a possibility that the results obtained could potentially contribute to maintaining the quality of crops in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner.

Effect of high-pressure-homogenisation on the interaction between pomegranate peel pectin fractions and anthocyanins in acidic environment

In this study, changes in the basic composition and structural characterisation of water-soluble pectin (WSP), homogalacturonan (HG) and rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-I) from pomegranate peel were investigated after high-pressure-homogenisation (HPH) at 50 MPa and 300 MPa. The interactions between three pectin and anthocyanin (ACN) complex were also studied. The three pectin fractions were mainly composed of galacturonic acid (34.95%–87.69%), all with low degrees of methyl-esterification ≤41.20%. HPH at 300 MPa increased the binding ratios of ACN to three pectin fractions by 34.22%–34.59%. Changes in the structural characterisation results of pectin confirmed that the depolymerisation and breakdown of the side chains of pectin after HPH promoted electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interaction between pectin and ACN. Correspondingly, the thermal and storage stabilities of ACN in the complex was boosted after HPH at 300 MPa. This study provides insights into the interaction between pectin and ACN under HPH.

Development of apple pectin/soy protein isolate-based edible films containing punicalagin for strawberry preservation

In this study, we developed punicalagin-loaded antimicrobial films based on soy protein isolate (SPI) and apple pectin (AP). The AP was derived from apple pomace waste while the punicalagin was obtained from pomegranate peel. Punicalagin was identified to exist in both α- and β-isomers, with the β-type being predominant. The composite films were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. Our results demonstrated that the incorporation of AP significantly enhanced the mechanical strength, heat resistance, and barrier properties of the films. Moreover, the composite films integrated with punicalagin exhibited excellent antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus (with a minimum bactericidal concentration value of 0.25 %), Escherichia coli (with a minimum bactericidal concentration value of 0.50 %), and Aspergillus niger. Finally, these antimicrobial film solutions were tested as coatings on strawberries and found to have significantly better effects on reducing weight loss, improving shelf-life, and maintaining the freshness of strawberries compared to coatings without punicalagin. The results indicate that antimicrobial coatings loaded with punicalagin hold great promise as multifunctional active packaging materials for fruit preservation.

The effect of pomegranate peel extract added as a natural preservative on the quality parameters of thornback ray (Raja clavata) sausages stored at +4°C.

In this study, three different groups of sausages were produced from thornback ray (Raja clavata) without additives (control group), waste pomegranate peel extract (natural group), and ascorbic acid (synthetic group). Biochemical, physicochemical, and microbiological changes of sausages were examined under refrigerator conditions (+4°C), and the shelf life was determined. The best results in terms of nutritional and physicochemical values were obtained in sausages treated with pomegranate peel extract. All sausage groups were spoiled on the 15th day in terms of the total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N); however, the pomegranate peel extract group showed a more positive effect compared to the other sausage groups. However, this value was not considered because cartilaginous fish such as stingrays contain higher levels of nonprotein nitrogenous compounds. It was observed that microbial growth was less in the natural group and the antimicrobial effect of pomegranate peel extract was higher than that of ascorbic acid. In addition, it was determined that the pomegranate peel extract group extended the shelf life up to 6 days in terms of total viable count (TVC) and yeast/moldcompared to the control and synthetic groups, respectively. This study showed that pomegranate peel extract has a better protective effect than ascorbic acid and it can be used as a natural additive in preserving the quality of seafood products.

Characterization, in vitro bioaccessibility and antidiabetic activities of maltodextrin and lecithin nanomaterials loaded with ellagic acid

Pomegranate peel is one of the wastes generated in large quantities in the food industry and ellagic acid is a natural bioactive phenolic compound in pomegranate peel. In this study, high-purity and low-cost ellagic acid was produced by acid hydrolyze process from pomegranate peel and characterization, in vitro bioaccessibility, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activity of the ellagic acid nanoencapsulated with maltodextrin and soy lecithin were studied. The extract yield and purity of ellagic acid was 6.47 and 88.74%, respectively. Results showed that lecithin coated samples were more stable with − 43.16 mV zeta potential and had higher encapsulation efficiency (99.29%) compared to maltodextrin. However, coated samples with maltodextrin had higher production efficiency (91.40%) and loading capacity (54.70%). The thermal resistance of ellagic acid after the nanoencapsulation process was significantly raised. The ellagic acid nanoencapsulated with maltodextrin had higher bioaccessibility (80.22%) and solubility in biological buffers (64.00-98.20%). The α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitiory activities of the ellagic acid decreased after the encapsulation process. However, the α-amylase inhibitory activities of the nanoencapsulated materials were higher than acarbose as a positive control. As a result, thermal resistance, solubility in a biological medium, and bioaccessibility of ellagic acid after nanoencapsulation with maltodextrin can be increased. Thus, the use of ellagic acid nanoencapsulated with maltodextrin in the food, cosmetic, and pharmacological industries can be diversified.

Effects of soluble dietary fiber from pomegranate peel on the physicochemical properties and in-vitro digestibility of sweet potato starch

The effects of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) from pomegranate peel obtained through enzyme (E-SDF) and alkali (A-SDF) extractions on the structural, physicochemical properties, and in vitro digestibility of sweet potato starch (SPS) were investigated. The expansion degree of SPS granules, pasting viscosity, gel strength and hardness were decreased after adding E-SDF. The setback was accelerated in the presence of A-SDF but E-SDF delayed this effect during the cooling of the starch paste. However, the addition of A-SDF significantly reduced the breakdown of SPS and improved the freeze-thaw stability of starch gels, even at low concentrations (0.1 %), while E-SDF showed the opposite result. The structural characterization of SDF-SPS mixtures showed that A-SDF can help SPS form an enhanced microstructure compared with E-SDF, while polar groups such as hydroxyl group in E-SDF may bind to leached amylose through hydrogen bonding, leading to a decrease in SPS viscoelasticity. In addition, the results of in vitro digestion analysis indicated that A-SDF and E-SDF could decreased the digestibility of SPS and increased the content of resistant starch, especially when 0.5 % E-SDF was added. This study provides a new perspective on the application of SDF from pomegranate peel in improving starch-based foods processing and nutritional characteristics.

Comparative Study of Callistemon citrinus (Bottlebrush) and Punica granatum (Pomegranate) Extracts for Sustainable Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Their Oral Antimicrobial Efficacy.

A comparative study was applied to investigate the potential of Callistemon citrinus (bottlebrush) flower extract (BBE) and Punica granatum (pomegranate) peel extracts (PPE) for the sustainable synthesis of the silver nanoparticles, Ag-BBE and Ag-PPE, respectively. The synthesis process of Ag NPs using the selected extracts was applied under optimized conditions. Hence, the effect of the selected plant's type on the different characteristics of the synthesized green Ag NPs was investigated. The UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed the presence of the characteristic silver peaks at 419 and 433 nm of the Ag-BBE and Ag-PPE, respectively. The XRD spectra reported the fcc phase formation of Ag NPs. The TEM results highlighted the morphological features of the synthesized Ag NPs. with a size range of 20-70 nm, and with 10-30 nm for Ag-BBE and Ag-PPE, correspondingly. The Raman spectra revealed characteristic silver bands in the Ag-PPE and reflected some bands related to the natural extract in the Ag-BBE sample. The antimicrobial activity and statistical analysis investigation were conducted against four selected oral pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus (SA), Candida albicans (CA), Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epi), and Enterococcus faecalis (EF)). Both tested extracts, BBE, and PPE, revealed potential effectivity as reducing and capping agents for Ag NP green synthesis. However, the synthesized NPs demonstrated different features, depending on the used extract, reflecting the influence of the plant's biomolecules on the nanoparticles' properties.

Physicochemical and Toxicological Screening of Silver Nanoparticle Biosynthesis from Punica granatum Peel Extract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully synthesized via the biological route using a 1 M silver nitrate (AgNO3) aqueous solution and an ethanolic peel extract of Punica granatum (Pg), at 60 °C. The physicochemical analysis revealed the formation of green synthesized Pg-AgNPs with a semi-spherical shape, non-uniformly distributed, and a particle size distribution between 5 and 100 nm. As regards the preliminary in vitro toxicological screening, the green synthesized Pg-AgNPs did not significantly affect the neonatal BALB/c epidermal cells’ viability (JB6 Cl 41-5a) at lower concentrations and did not produce visible changes in the morphology of the JB6 Cl 41-5a cells. In contrast, at higher concentrations (>50 μg/mL), the green Pg-AgNPs exhibited an important decrease in cell viability and confluency. In addition, the impact of Pg-AgNPs on cell membrane integrity suggests a potential cytotoxic effect. Contrary to the in vitro assays, after the evaluation of the anti-irritant effect in ovo, the lower concentration of Pg-AgNPs (10 μg/mL) produced hemorrhage and lysis when applied to the chorioallantoic membrane, while at 50 μg/mL, only slight coagulation was observed. Therefore, regarding the in ovo toxicological screening, the higher concentration of the Pg-AgNPs exhibited a better safety profile compared to the lower concentration, as indicated by the irritation score.

Pomegranate extract-loaded surfactant-free zein nanoparticles as a promising green approach for hepatic cancer: optimization and in vitro cytotoxicity

BackgroundHepatic cancer endures a major health scourge as the consequence of a high incidence of > 1 million cases by 2025. Plant-based products are typically effective in ameliorating health conditions. Pomegranate peel extract (PE) with its high polyphenolic content has anticancer effects against different types of cancer. Herein, we aimed to maximize the PE chemotherapeutic efficacy by loading it in a suitable delivery system to overcome the limitations of PE, to control its release and to achieve liver targeting.MethodA nanoprecipitation procedure was adopted to incorporate PE into biodegradable and biocompatible natural polymeric zein (ZN)-based nanoparticles (NPs) (PE-ZN NPs). A full factorial design (22 × 31) was developed to study the effects of the formulation variables, namely pH of dispersion, PE-to-ZN ratio and surfactant concentration.ResultsThe optimization revealed a surfactant-free stable PE-ZN NPs formula with a small particle size of 99.5 ± 6.43 nm, high PE encapsulation efficiency % of 99.31% ± 3.64 (w/w) and controlled release of PE over 24 h.ConclusionMoreover, the cytotoxicity of the optimum formula against hepatic cancer HepG2 cell lines was assessed and attained about a 2.5-fold reduction in the inhibitory concentration (IC50) values compared to the free PE affording a promising green platform to combat hepatic cancer.Graphical abstract

Intensification of bio-actives extraction from pomegranate peel via microwave irradiation: Effect of factors, optimization, kinetics, and bioactive profiling

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel is an appealing agri-food byproduct due to its high content of health-beneficial phytochemicals. However, the extraction processes may alter their bioactivity. A microwave irradiation treatment was applied to enhance the extraction efficiency. Extraction time, microwave power, and temperature were examined and optimized numerically using polynomial model and genetic algorithm. Time and temperature were the most influential factors in intensifying bioactives extraction. The optimal variables were 620 W microwave power at 74 °C for 18 min (RSM), and 685 W power at 75 °C for 24 min (ANN-GA). The obtained yields of total polyphenols, flavonoids, punicalagin, ellagic acid, and total hydrolyzable tannins contents were 165.53 mg GAE/g, 40.78 mg QE/g, 91.05 mg/g, 4.28 mg/g, and 130.82 mg TAE/g of pomegranate peel, respectively. The extract showed significant antioxidant capacities, with 65.74 % DPPH inhibition and 71.26 % ABTS inhibition. Several kinetic models were studied to define the extraction kinetics, with Peleg's model being the best fitting with the highest R2 (0.963–0.987) and lowest RMSE (0.95–5.08). LCMS analysis confirms the presence of 15 hydrolyzable tannins, with punicalagin and ellagic acid being the most abundant. These findings demonstrated the significant potential of microwave irradiation for extracting bioactives from fruit byproducts.

Effect of pomegranate peel with/without autologous bone marrow on healing of acute cutaneous wounds in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits.

Healing of bum wounds is commonly associated with many complications. Every year various new repair materials are developed and experimentally used for treating burn wounds. Humans with diabetes mellitus usually suffer from chronic wound healing. Vascular, neuropathic, immune function, and biochemical abnormalities each contribute to the altered tissue repair. One underlying factor that accompanies all diabetic ulcerations is poor vascular flow, a circumstance that impedes proper wound healing. Numerous studies have highlighted the importance of adequate vascular sufficiency and vessel proliferation in tissue repair and the lack thereof in diabetic wound healing. Other studies have looked at whether disarrayed capillary remodeling and maturation of vessels might play a role in impaired diabetic wound healing. This investigation has been planned to report the influence of treatment with a mixture of both the powder of pomegranate peel (PP) accompanied with an autologous bone marrow (BM) on the cure of burn injuries in experimentally induced diabetic rabbits. Alloxan monohydrate has been applied to create diabetes in 50 rabbits. Then in each rabbit, two deep second-degree burn wounds were experimentally created. The animals were then divided randomly into 5 treatment sections: non-treatment controls (C1), treated with an available commercial powder for wound (C2), treatment with powder of PP, treatment with alone BM, and the final group treated with PP powder with bone marrow (PPBM). The speed of wound closure and the histopathological changes during healing were measured. The levels of the biomarkers of rabbit platelet-derived growth factor AA (PDGF-AA) and rabbit protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1) were measured on days 0, 4, 8, and 12. Wound healing was markedly more rapid in all the treatment groups versus the control non-treated group. Interestingly, a rapid wound cure was significantly observed in the PPBM group versus the other treatment ones. The histological assessment clarified a significant elevation in the fibroblast and collagen scores in the PPBM group versus the other sections. In addition, there were significant increases in the serum levels of the biomarkers PDGF-AA and PAR-1 among groups. Dependent on the results of current research, it can be concluded that both PP powder with BM PPBM significantly accelerate the healing process of burn wounds in experimentally induced diabetic rabbits.

Punicalagin Ameliorates Diabetic Liver Injury by Inhibiting Pyroptosis and Promoting Autophagy via Modulation of the FoxO1/TXNIP Signaling Pathway.

Diabetic liver injury (DLI) is one of the complications of diabetes mellitus, which seriously jeopardizes human health. Punicalagin (PU), a polyphenolic compound mainly found in pomegranate peel, has been shown to ameliorate metabolic diseases such as DLI, and the mechanism needs to be further explored. In this study, a HFD/STZ-induced diabetic mouse model is established to investigate the effect and mechanism of PU on DLI. The results show that PU intervention significantly improves liver histology and serum biochemical abnormalities in diabetic mice, significantly inhibits the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins such as NLRP3, Caspase1, IL-1β, and GSDMD in the liver of diabetic mice, and up-regulated the expression of autophagy-related proteins. Meanwhile, PU treatment significantly increases FoxO1 protein expression and inhibits TXNIP protein expression in the liver of diabetic mice. The above results are further verified in the HepG2 cell injury model induced by high glucose. AS1842856 is a FoxO1 specific inhibitor. The intervention of AS1842856 combined with PU reverses the regulatory effects of PU on pyroptosis and autophagy in HepG2 cells. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that PU may inhibit pyroptosis and upregulate autophagy by regulating FoxO1/TXNIP signaling, thereby alleviating DLI.

Anthocyanins from pomegranate peel (Punica granatum), chili pepper fruit (Capsicum annuum), and bougainvillea flowers (Bougainvillea spectabilis) with multiple biofunctions: Antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer

BackgroundNatural colorants, including natural pigments, e.g., anthocyanins, carotenoids, and chlorophylls, in novel and attractive food matrixes have become a popular trend. They impart favorite colors to food products and provide significant therapeutic effects. This study is aimed at extracting and identifying some natural pigments from different plant sources and evaluating their ability as antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. MethodsThe anthocyanin-rich extract (ARE) is derived from three natural plant sources: pomegranate peel (Punica granatum), chili pepper fruit (Capsicum annuum), and Bougainvillea flowers. Bougainvillea spectabilis are analyzed for biochemical composition, as well as antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer activity, HPLC, DPPH, FRAP, disc diffusion assay, MIC, MTT, VEGFR‐2, and caspase-9 assays. ResultsAll three extracts had varying total phenolic contents, ranging from 14 to 466 mg GAE/g extract, where Punica granatum was the highest (466 mg GAE/g extract), followed by Bougainvillea spectabilis (180 mg GAE/g extract), and then Capsicum annuum (14 mg GAE/g extract). The antioxidant activity rose steadily with raising concentration. The ARE of pomegranate peels recorded highest value, followed by Bougainvillea flowers and chili pepper fruit. The MTT assay revealed an inhibitory action of the tested extracts on the proliferation of HCT-116, MCF-7, and HepG2 in a concentration-based manner. Gene expression of caspase-9 transcripts was considerably multiplied by the application of ARE of pomegranate peels. All the tested extracts inhibited VEGFR-2, and the inhibition (%) expanded gradually with increasing concentrations, achieving the highest value (80 %) at 10 μg/mL. The ARE of pomegranate peels scored highest antibacterial activity, followed by ARE of chili pepper fruit and Bougainvillea flowers. The inhibition zone diameter escalated gradually with rising concentrations of the tested samples. ConclusionThe AREs of the three studied plant sources can be used as multifunctional products with antioxidant, anticancer, and antibacterial activities that are natural, safe, and cheap.

Molecular Docking Studies and ADME-Tox Prediction of Phytocompounds from Punica granatum Peel as a Potential Anti-Alopecia Treatment

Background: Alopecia is a condition in which some or all of the hair from the scalp is lost. One recent preventative measure is the inhibition of the enzyme 5-α-reductase. Inhibition of the enzyme 5-α-reductase converts circulating testosterone to its more potent metabolite, dihydrotestosterone. Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peels are widely employed in industry and to treat a variety of illnesses. However, accurate identification is necessary to improve efficacy, repeatability, and quality. Pomegranate, or Punica granatum L., is a member of the Punicaceae family. It is known as "anar" or "dadima" on the Indian subcontinent. For hundreds of years, P. granatum has been used to treat conditions like peptic ulcer, dental disorders, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and numerous types of cancer. Method: Further scientific validation of the current investigation was done by computational based molecular docking study of lead molecules of P.granatum Peel against 5α-reducatase(SRD5As) enzyme. The binding was determined by the Auto Dock software utilizing a grid-based docking method. Compounds' 2D structures were constructed using the chem sketch, converted to 3D, and then energetically reduced up to an arms gradient of 0.01. (MMFF). Result: Punica found to be effective anti-alopecic agent and their lead molecules effectively binds to be target protein 5α-reducatase (SRD5As) with binding energy -7.15, -7.66 & -7.07 kcalmol-1 for Apigenin, luteolin and taxifolin respectively. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that every lead compound that was chosen for further study exhibited strong 5'-reductase (SRD5 As) inhibitory activity, hence eliciting the anti-alopecic potential.

Number of Erythrocytes in Male Mice (Mus musculus) Exposed to Cigarette Smoke After Treatment with Ethanol Extract of Red Pomegranate Peel (Punica ganatu)

Plant extracts have the potential to serve as natural therapeutic agents that can counteract the negative effects of various toxins, including those found in cigarette smoke. One such plant with this potential is the red pomegranate (Punica granatum). This study aims to determine the effect of administering Red Pomegranate (Punica ganatum) peel extract on the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin levels in white mice exposed to cigarette smoke. This type of research is experimental laboratory post test only group design. Mice were divided into 4 treatment groups, namely: P0, control group, test animals treated with distilled water; treatment groups P1, P2 and P3, which were treated with neem leaf ethanol extract at a dose of 10 each; 20; 40 mg/head/day and mice were exposed to cigarette smoke. The research results showed that the higher the extract given, the higher the HB and erythrocyte levels. From this research it can be concluded that administration of Red Pomegranate rind extract can increase the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin levels but it is not significant (p>0.05). The contribution of this research provides important data on the interaction between toxins (in this case, cigarette smoke) and protective agents (red pomegranate peel ethanol extract). This information is valuable in the fields of toxicology and pharmacology for understanding cellular protection mechanisms and potential new treatments.

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Mediated by Punica granatum Peel Waste: An Effective Additive for Natural Rubber Latex Nanofibers Enhancement.

Pomegranate waste poses an environmental challenge in Arequipa. Simultaneously, interest in sustainable materials like natural rubber latex (NRL) is growing, with Peruvian communities offering a promising source. This study explores the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using pomegranate peel extract and their incorporation into NRL nanofibers for enhanced functionalities. An eco-friendly process utilized silver nitrate and pomegranate peel extract as a reducing and capping agent to synthesize AgNPs. The resulting AgNPs and NRL/AgNPs nanofibers were characterized using imaging and spectroscopic techniques such as UV-vis, TGA, FTIR, XRD, Raman, SEM, and DLS. Green-synthesized AgNPs were spherical and crystalline, with an average diameter of 59 nm. They showed activity against K. pneumoniae, E. coli, B. cereus, and S. aureus (IC50: 51.32, 4.87, 27.72, and 69.72 µg/mL, respectively). NRL and NRL/AgNPs nanofibers (300-373 nm diameter) were successfully fabricated. The composite nanofibers exhibited antibacterial activity against K. pneumoniae and B. cereus. This study presents a sustainable approach by utilizing pomegranate waste for AgNP synthesis and NRL sourced from Peruvian communities. Integrating AgNPs into NRL nanofibers produced composites with antimicrobial properties. This work has potential applications in smart textiles, biomedical textiles, and filtration materials where sustainability and antimicrobial functionality are crucial.