Pomegranate Rind Extract Research Articles

Fire resistant behaviour of cellulosic textile functionalized with wastage plant bio-molecules: A comparative scientific report

Three different wastage plant based bio-molecules named banana peel powder (Musa acuminata) (BPP), coconut shell (Cocos nucifera) extract (CSE) and pomegranate rind (Punica granatum) extract (PRE) have been explored as fire resistant material on the cellulosic polymer (cotton fabric). To this end, extracts have been applied to the cotton fabric in different concentration at elevated temperature for specific time period. Treated cotton fabric showed 6 (BPP), 8.5 (CSE) and 12 (PRE) times lower vertical burning rate compared to the control cotton fabric. Thermo-gravimetry (TG) curves and the limiting oxygen index (LOI) value revealed that the PRE extract (LOI: 32) treated fabric encompassed more thermal stability compared to the BPP (LOI:26) and the CSE (LOI: 27) treated fabric as it showed higher oxygen index and more weight retention (40%) at higher temperature 450°C. Moreover, the carbonaceous samples remained after the burning of the extracts and the treated fabrics showed structural integration and more carbon content [65.6 (PRE extract) and 76.3% (PRE treated cotton)] compared to the fragile, net like char of the control cotton fabric, having less carbon content (49.8%). Gas Chromatography Mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) of the different extracts (CSE, PRE, BPP) used for the study showed the presence of high molecular weight aromatic phenolic compounds, tannin based compound and the nitrogen containing alkaloids, responsible for fire resistant effect of the different extract treated fabric. Besides fire retardancy, all the treated fabric showed attractive natural colour (measured by colour strength values) and there has been no adverse effect on the tensile strength property of the fabric after the treatment.

Pomegranate Rind Extract Limits Ground Beef Color Discoloration and Lipid Oxidation

ObjectivesMeat color has a substantial influential in purchasing decisions as consumers associate color with freshness. Discoloration of beef at retail has resulted in a loss of about $1 billion annually. Many additives, including antioxidants, have been utilized in products such as ground beef to increase their shelf life. Therefore, the overall goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of pomegranate rind extract on ground beef color stability and lipid oxidation. Materials and MethodsThe pomegranate rind extract was prepared by mixing dried ground rind powder in boiling water. The mixture was centrifuged to extract the pomegranate rind extract. Course ground beef (80% lean) was mixed with 0, 1, and 1.5% of pomegranate rind extract. The pomegranate rind extract was included into the sample, reground and then formed into a 100 g patty, utilizing the adjust-a-burger patty press. Patties from each treatment were then assigned to 4 different packaging types: PVC, Hi-Ox, CO, and vacuum. Patties packaged in CO and vacuum bags were stored in dark storage 5 d prior to display. The vacuum patties were removed form the bags, packaged in PVC and allowed 1 h to bloom prior to evaluation. Patties packaged in PVC, CO and vacuum were on display for 3 d while patties packaged in Hi-Ox were left on display for 5 d. Patties were evaluated each day by trained color panelists (6 members). Patties were evaluated for display color and surface discoloration. Thiobarbituric acid values were used to indicate lipid oxidation. Lipid oxidation was measured on the control patties on d 0 and then evaluated on all treatments at the end of their assigned display time. The experiments were replicated 6 times (n = 6). The data were analyzed using the Mixed Procedure of SAS, and considered significant at a level of P < 0.05. ResultsDisplay color was brighter cherry red for samples with pomegranate solution compared to the control samples (P < 0.05). Similarly, surface discoloration decreased for patties with the addition of pomegranate solution compared to the controls (P < 0.05). Patties packaged in Hi-Ox maintained color stability longer (P < 0.05) than patties packaged in PVC, CO, and vacuum. There were decreases (P < 0.05) in the lipid oxidation levels of the patties enhanced with 1.0 and 1.5% pomegranate solution compared to the control patties, for all packaging types. Samples enhanced with 1.5% pomegranate solution in vacuum and PVC packaging had 50% less lipid oxidation after display than the control. Similarly, samples with 1.5% pomegranate solution packaged in CO had 65% and Hi-Ox had 75% less lipid oxidation compared to the controls. ConclusionThe use of pomegranate as an antioxidant in ground beef patties had major positive impacts on both color stability and overall freshness (lipid oxidation). The addition of pomegranate will increase the shelf life of ground beef and ultimately decrease the economical loss that results from discoloration of meat.

Phytochemical Determinations of Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Rind and Aril Extracts and their Antioxidant, Antidiabetic and Antibacterial Activity

Rind and aril of pomegranate (Punica granatum) were freeze-dried and extracted using solvents of varying polarity: petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water. Phytochemical investigations included qualitative detection of phytochemicals including phenols and tannins, flavonoids, anthocyanins, coumarins, quinones, saponins, steroids, triterpenoids, and alkaloids. Total phenolic and flavonoid content of each extract were determined quantitatively. Methanolic and aqueous pomegranate rind extracts showed highest amount of phenolic and flavonoid content. The presence of gallic acid in pomegranate rind and aril was determined by GCMS. Medicinal studies comprised of evaluating the antioxidant, antidiabetic and antibacterial potential of the prepared extracts. According to 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay for antioxidant potential, methanolic and aqueous extracts of pomegranate rind and methanolic extract of pomegranate rind showed antioxidant activity of above 80%. Aqueous extract of pomegranate aril showed highest inhibition of alpha-amylase which was taken as antidiabetic activity according to 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid assay (DNSA assay). Methanolic and aqueous extracts of pomegranate rind were most effective in inhibiting the growth of a number of bacteria according to the disc diffusion method.

Bacterial resistance to silver nanoparticles and how to overcome it.

Silver nanoparticles have already been successfully applied in various biomedical and antimicrobial technologies and products used in everyday life. Although bacterial resistance to antibiotics has been extensively discussed in the literature, the possible development of resistance to silver nanoparticles has not been fully explored. We report that the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli 013, Pseudomonas aeruginosa CCM 3955 and E. coli CCM 3954 can develop resistance to silver nanoparticles after repeated exposure. The resistance stems from the production of the adhesive flagellum protein flagellin, which triggers the aggregation of the nanoparticles. This resistance evolves without any genetic changes; only phenotypic change is needed to reduce the nanoparticles' colloidal stability and thus eliminate their antibacterial activity. The resistance mechanism cannot be overcome by additional stabilization of silver nanoparticles using surfactants or polymers. It is, however, strongly suppressed by inhibiting flagellin production with pomegranate rind extract.

Effect of plant extracts on lipid and protein oxidation of mackerel (Scomber scombrus) mince during frozen storage.

The effects of different plant extracts [green tea extract (GTE), grape seed extract (GSE), and pomegranate rind extract (PRE)] at a level of 100ppm equivalent phenolics and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on the changes in quality of fish (Scomber scombrus) mince during 6months frozen storage at -18±1°C were investigated. During storage, significant oxidative reactions in both the lipids and proteins were observed with the increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and carbonyls and decrease in sulphydryl groups and protein solubility. BHT and PRE effectively inhibited lipid oxidation as lower peroxide and TBARS values were observed. Moreover, antioxidants added to minced fish significantly reduced protein oxidation compared to control without any antioxidant. The minced fish containing PRE had lower carbonyl and higher sulphydryl contents, but no significant differences for carbonyl and sulphydry contents were observed among antioxidant sources. Protein solubility decreased with increase in storage period. The loss of protein solubility was higher in control samples than in antioxidant treated ones. Among antioxidant sources, PRE was an excellent antioxidant toward both lipid and protein oxidations. Therefore, it could be a potential source of natural antioxidants in minced fish during frozen storage.

Correction: Potentiated virucidal activity of pomegranate rind extract (PRE) and punicalagin against Herpes simplex virus (HSV) when co-administered with zinc (II) ions, and antiviral activity of PRE against HSV and aciclovir-resistant HSV.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179291.].

Leveraging flame retardant efficacy of pomegranate rind extract, a novel biomolecule, on ligno-cellulosic materials

For the first time, pomegranate rind extract (PRE), a wastage agricultural product, has been explored as novel fire retardant (FR) material. The fire retardancy of PRE has been successfully demonstrated on ligno-cellulosic jute material where it was incorporated at different application pH. PRE contains nitrogenous compounds, polyphenolic components and other metallic elements in the form of salts or oxides. Metallic salts and other polar groups present in PRE help to improve moisture uptake (observed from DSC analysis), phenolic compounds present in PRE have improved the smoldering and char promoting behavior. Combinedly all these components present in PRE assisted to exhibit intumescent condensed phase mechanism of fire retardancy when it was applied on the ligno-cellulosic material. PRE incorporation to the jute sample in alkaline pH showed limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 38% whereas in case of control jute sample LOI value was recorded as 22%. Besides, the treated jute material bestowed self-extinguishment with a char length of 60 mm. The rate of weight loss of the treated material is far behind as compared to the control sample and more than 40% char mass was remained at 500 °C compared to the 5% char mass in case of control jute as analyzed by thermo-gravimetry.

Potentiated virucidal activity of pomegranate rind extract (PRE) and punicalagin against Herpes simplex virus (HSV) when co-administered with zinc (II) ions, and antiviral activity of PRE against HSV and aciclovir-resistant HSV.

BackgroundThere is a clinical need for new therapeutic products against Herpes simplex virus (HSV). The pomegranate, fruit of the tree Punica granatum L, has since ancient times been linked to activity against infection. This work probed the activity of pomegranate rind extract (PRE) and co-administered zinc (II) ions.Materials and methodsPRE was used in conjunction with zinc (II) salts to challenge HSV-1 and aciclovir-resistant HSV in terms of virucidal plaque assay reduction and antiviral activities in epithelial Vero host cells. Cytotoxicity was determined by the MTS assay using a commercial kit.ResultsZinc sulphate, zinc citrate, zinc stearate and zinc gluconate demonstrated similar potentiated virucidal activity with PRE against HSV-1 by up to 4-fold. A generally parabolic relationship was observed when HSV-1 was challenged with PRE and varying concentrations of ZnSO4, with a maximum potentiation factor of 5.5. Punicalagin had 8-fold greater virucidal activity than an equivalent mass of PRE. However, antiviral data showed that punicalagin had significantly lower antiviral activity compared to the activity of PRE (EC50 = 0.56 μg mL-1) a value comparable to aciclovir (EC50 = 0.18 μg mL-1); however, PRE also demonstrated potency against aciclovir-resistant HSV (EC50 = 0.02 μg mL-1), whereas aciclovir showed no activity. Antiviral action of PRE was not influenced by ZnSO4. No cytotoxicity was detected with any test solution.ConclusionsThe potentiated virucidal activity of PRE by coadministered zinc (II) has potential as a multi-action novel topical therapeutic agent against HSV infections, such as coldsores.

Effects of Pomegranate Rind Extract on Ground Beef Color

Effects of Pomegranate Rind Extract on Ground Beef Color

Anti-inflammatory activity of Punica granatum L. (Pomegranate) rind extracts applied topically to ex vivo skin

Coadministered pomegranate rind extract (PRE) and zinc (II) produces a potent virucidal activity against Herpes simplex virus (HSV); however, HSV infections are also associated with localised inflammation and pain. Here, the objective was to determine the anti-inflammatory activity and relative depth penetration of PRE, total pomegranate tannins (TPT) and zinc (II) in skin, ex vivo. PRE, TPT and ZnSO4 were dosed onto freshly excised ex vivo porcine skin mounted in Franz diffusion cells and analysed for COX-2, as a marker for modulation of the arachidonic acid inflammation pathway, by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Tape stripping was carried out to construct relative depth profiles. Topical application of PRE to ex vivo skin downregulated expression of COX-2, which was significant after just 6h, and maintained for up to 24h. This was achieved with intact stratum corneum, proving that punicalagin penetrated skin, further supported by the depth profiling data. When PRE and ZnSO4 were applied together, statistically equal downregulation of COX-2 was observed when compared to the application of PRE alone; no effect followed the application of ZnSO4 alone. TPT downregulated COX-2 less than PRE, indicating that tannins alone may not be entirely responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of PRE. Punicalagin was found throughout the skin, in particular the lower regions, indicating appendageal delivery as a significant route to the viable epidermis. Topical application of TPT and PRE had significant anti-inflammatory effects in ex vivo skin, confirming that PRE penetrates the skin and modulates COX-2 regulation in the viable epidermis. Pomegranates have potential as a novel approach in ameliorating the inflammation and pain associated with a range of skin conditions, including cold sores and herpetic stromal keratitis.

Pomegranate (punica granatum) rind extract as an efficient alternative to synthetic preservatives in fat-rich meat products

Purpose Pomegranate rind has been reported to have strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The study was conducted to evaluate the possibility of using pomegranate rind extract as an efficient alternative to synthetic antioxidants and preservatives in fat-rich meat products, which are highly susceptible to lipid oxidation. Design/methodology/approach Tabak-Maaz, a fat-rich meat product, was used as a model system and treated with different concentrations of pomegranate rind extract (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 per cent) and aerobically packaged within low-density polyethylene pouches and assessed for lipid oxidative stability and storage quality under refrigerated (4 to 1°C) conditions. The products were evaluated for various physicochemical, microbiological and sensory parameters at regular intervals of 0, 7, 14 and 21 days. Findings Pomegranate rind extract showed a significant (p &lt; 0.05) effect on the lipid oxidative stability, as the treated products exhibited significantly (p &lt; 0.05) lower TBARS (mg malonaldehyde/kg) values. A significant (p &lt; 0.05) effect was also observed on the microbiological characteristics of the products, as treated products showed significantly lower values for microbial and yeast and mould counts and for free fatty-acid (% oleic acid) values. Sensory parameters showed significant (p &lt; 0.05) decreasing trend for both control as well as treated products throughout the period of storage; however, significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher scores were observed for pomegranate rind extract-treated products when compared to the control. Originality/value Pomegranate rind extract successfully improved the lipid oxidative stability and storage quality of the products during refrigerated (4 ± 1°C) storage and may be commercially exploited by the meat industry as an efficient alternative without adversely affecting the sensory quality of the products.

In vitro permeation and biological activity of punicalagin and zinc (II) across skin and mucous membranes prone to Herpes simplex virus infection

Coadministration of pomegranate rind extract (PRE) and zinc (II) ions has recently been reported as a potential new topical treatment for Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections. In the current work we examined the in vitro topical delivery of punicalagin (major phytochemical of PRE) and zinc from hydrogels across epithelial membranes that can become infected with HSV.Porcine epidermal, buccal and vaginal mucous membranes were excised and mounted in Franz diffusion cells and dosed with a simple hydrogel containing PRE and zinc sulphate (ZnSO4). The permeation of punicalagin and zinc were determined by HPLC and ICPMS respectively; punicalagin was also determined in the basal layers by reverse tape stripping. Receptor phases from the epidermal membrane experiment were also used to challenge HSV-1 in Vero host cells, and ex vivo porcine skin was used to probe COX-2 modulation.Punicalagin and zinc permeated each of the three test membranes, with significantly greater amounts of both delivered across the epidermal membrane. The amounts of punicalagin permeating the buccal and vaginal membranes were similar, although the amount of zinc permeating the vaginal membrane was comparatively very large – it is known that zinc interacts with vaginal mucosa. The punicalagin recovered by reverse tape stripping of the epidermal, buccal and vaginal membranes gave 0.47±0.016, 0.45±0.052 and 0.51±0.048nMcm−2 respectively, and were statistically the same (p<0.05). A 2.5 log reduction was achieved against HSV-1 using diffusion cell receptor phase, and COX-2 expression was reduced by 64% in ex vivo skin after 6h.Overall, a hydrogel containing 1.25mgmL−1 PRE and 0.25M ZnSO4 was able to topically deliver both the major bioactive compound within PRE and Zn (II) across all membranes and into the site specific region of Herpes simplex vesicular clusters, while maintaining potentiated virucidal and anti-inflammatory properties. This novel therapeutic system therefore has potential for the topical treatment of HSV infections.

Modeling and verification of process parameters for the production of tannase by Aspergillus oryzae under submerged fermentation using agro-wastes.

Tannase production by Aspergillus oryzae using various agro-wastes as substrates by submerged fermentation was studied in this research. The microbe was isolated from degrading corn kernel obtained from the corn fields at Tiruchengode, India. The microbial identification was done using 18S rRNA gene analysis. The agro-wastes chosen for the study were pomegranate rind, Cassia auriculata flower, black gram husk, and tea dust. The process parameters chosen for optimization study were substrate concentration, pH, temperature, and incubation period. During one variable at a time optimization, the pomegranate rind extract produced maximum tannase activity of 138.12 IU/mL and it was chosen as the best substrate for further experiments. The quadratic model was found to be the effective model for prediction of tannase production by A. oryzae. The optimized conditions predicted by response surface methodology (RSM) with genetic algorithm (GA) were 1.996% substrate concentration, pH of 4.89, temperature of 34.91°C, and an incubation time of 70.65 H with maximum tannase activity of 138.363 IU/mL. The confirmatory experiment under optimized conditions showed tannase activity of 139.22 IU/mL. Hence, RSM-GA pair was successfully used in this study to optimize the process parameters required for the production of tannase using pomegranate rind.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of pomegranate rind extract to ameliorate cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury.

Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent, but the therapeutic utility is limited due to its dose dependent nephrotoxicity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the nephroprotective effect of pomegranate in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury. Wistar rats were allocated into six groups as follows: the normal control, cisplatin-induced, pomegranate rind extract treatment (50, 100 and 200 mg kg(-1)) and pomegranate rind extract per se group. All the experimental test drugs/vehicle were administered orally for a period of ten days. Intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (8 mg kg(-1)) was administered on day 7 to all the groups except the normal control and pomegranate per se group. On day 10, cisplatin resulted in significant nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats with a drastic elevation of serum creatinine and BUN, a decline in the concentrations of GSH, MDA and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and an elevation in the TNF-α level in renal tissues. Pathological changes in renal tissues were examined by histopathology and dysfunction in mitochondria and proximal tubule cells was detected by transmission electron microscopy. The rate of apoptosis and the expression of caspase-3, Il-1β and IL-6 in rat renal tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. The administration of pomegranate at a dose of 200 mg per kg body weight significantly (p < 0.001) ameliorates increased serum creatinine and BUN. In parallel to this, pomegranate also exhibits anti-apoptotic activity through the reduction of active caspase-3 expression in kidneys. Additionally, in-silico studies also confirmed a renoprotective effect of pomegranate. The above findings suggest that pomegranate can be used as a dietary supplement in the treatment of cisplatin-induced kidney injury by reducing apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation.

Colour stabilities of sour cherry juice concentrates enhanced with gallic acid and various plant extracts during storage

Gallic acid (GA) and pomegranate rind extract (PRE), cherry stem extract (CSE) and green tea extract (GTE) were added to sour cherry juice concentrates (SCJCs) to enhance the colour. Effects of these copigment sources on anthocyanins, colour and turbidity were investigated during storage at −20, 4 and 20°C for 110days. Cyanidin-3-glucosylrutinoside (cyd-3-glu-rut, 75%) was the major anthocyanin, followed by cyanidin-3-rutinoside (cyd-3-rut, 23%) and cyanidin-3-sophoroside (cyd-3-soph, 2%). While GA (37–53%), PRE (27–77%) and GTE (44–119%) increased the stabilities of cyd-3-rut and cyd-3-glu-rut, CSE reduced (12–24%) the stabilities of all anthocyanins. Polymeric colour and turbidity values increased after the addition of all extracts and GA. The lowest turbidity value after 110days of storage at 20°C was determined in the SCJC enhanced with PRE. We recommend the addition of PRE to SCJC for the enhancement of anthocyanin stability and colour intensity, and the reduction in turbidity.

Selective extraction of gallic acid in pomegranate rind using surface imprinting polymers over magnetic carbon nanotubes.

A novel surface imprinting polymer based on magnetic carbon nanotubes was prepared using dendritic polyethyleneimine as functional monomer to amplify the number of imprinted cavities. The characteristics of resulting polymers were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Results suggest that magnetic nanoparticles are deposited onto the surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and the imprinted shell is coated on the surface of magnetic carbon nanotubes with a thickness of approximately 8 nm. Magnetic imprinted polymers are sensitive to magnetic fields and can be easily separated within 3 s using an external magnet. The adsorption results indicate that the obtained imprinted polymers have fast kinetics, an ultrahigh adsorption capacity of 479.9 mg g(-1), and satisfactory selectivity towards the template molecule. The prepared materials have excellent stability with no obvious deterioration after six adsorption-regeneration cycles. In addition, a method for determination of gallic acid (GA) in pomegranate rind was developed, using a combination of the prepared polymers used as solid-phase extraction (SPE) sorbents and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for rapid isolation and determination of GA. The limit of detection of the proposed method is 0.001 μg mL(-1), and the intra and inter-day relative standard deviations (RSDs) are lower than 3.8% and 5.3%, respectively. The recoveries of GA from pomegranate rind extract are in the range 98.2-103.6% with RSDs lower than 4.3%.

Effect of minimizing amount of template by addition of macromolecular crowding agent on preparation of molecularly imprinted monolith

One of the main challenges in the preparation of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) is the substantial initial amount of template needed because of the requirement of high load capacities for most applications. A new strategy of macromolecular crowding was suggested to solve this problem by reducing the amount of template in the polymerization recipe. In a ternary porogenic system of polystyrene (PS) (crowding agent), tetrahydrofuran, and toluene, an imprinted monolithic column with high porosity and good permeability was synthesized using a mixture of ellagic acid (template), acrylamide, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. The effect of polymerization factors, including monomer-template molar ratio and the molecular weight and concentration of PS, on the imprinting effect of the resulting MIP monoliths was systematically investigated. At a high ratio of monomer-template (120:1), the greatest imprinting factor of 32.4 was obtained on the MIP monolith with the aid of macromolecular crowding agent. The PS-based imprinted monolith had imprinting even at the extremely high ratio of functional monomer to template of 1510:1. Furthermore, an off-line solid-phase extraction based on the ground MIP was conducted, and the purification recovery of ellagic acid from pomegranate-rind extract was up to 80%. In conclusion, this approach based on macromolecular crowding is simple, and is especially valuable for those applications of MIP preparation for which a rare template is used.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) rind extract as a novel preservative in cheese

The study was conducted to evaluate the possibility of utilization of pomegranate (Punica granatum) rind extract as a novel natural preservative in cheese. Low fat Kalari was used as a model and treated with different levels of pomegranate rind extract (0%, 1%, and 2%) and evaluated for various oxidative stability and storage quality parameters under refrigerated (4±1 °C) conditions. A significant (P<0.05) effect was observed on the lipid oxidative stability as the treated products exhibited significantly (P<0.05) lower TBARS (mg malonaldehyde/kg) and FFA (% oleic acid) values. A significant (P<0.05) effect was also observed on the microbiological characteristics of the products as treated products showed significantly (P<0.05) lower values for total plate count (log cfu/g), psychrophillic count (log cfu/g) and yeast and mold count (log cfu/g). Coliforms (log cfu/g) were not detected throughout the storage period. Significantly (P<0.05) higher scores were observed for various sensory parameters of the treated products. Pomegranate rind extract successfully improved the oxidative stability and storage quality of Kalari and may be commercially exploited as a natural preservative in cheese products.

Wound healing activities of standardized pomegranate rind extract and its major antioxidant ellagic acid in rat dermal wounds

The in vivo wound healing potential of a standardized pomegranate rind extract (SPRE) and its major antioxidant constituent, ellagic acid (EA, 13 %, w/w), were investigated in three rat dermal wound models. It was found that both SPRE (5 and 2.5 %) and its equivalent amount of EA (0.65 and 0.325 %) increased the tensile strength of the incision wound by a maximum of 35.43 and 31.82 %, respectively. SPRE at 5 and 2.5 % accelerated wound contraction of the excision wound and the burn wound, while EA was effective only at 0.65 % in these two wound models. Further assays revealed that SPRE enhanced the synthesis of collagen by a maximum of 21.83 mg/g and inhibited neutrophil infiltration dose-dependently, while EA was not effective in increasing collagen accumulation and its inhibitory effect on neutrophil infiltration was milder. These results indicated that SPRE is a promising phytopharmaceutical effective in facilitating the healing of wounds and is superior to its marker compound EA.

Topical Anti‐inflammatory Potential of Standardized Pomegranate Rind Extract and Ellagic Acid in Contact Dermatitis

The present study evaluated the topical anti-inflammatory potential of a standardized pomegranate rind extracts (SPRE) in parallel with its marker compound ellagic acid (EA, 13% w/w) against a mouse model of contact dermatitis. In the phenol-induced mouse ear edema, topical application of SPRE (5, 2.5, and 1 mg/ear) and EA (0.65, 0.325, and 0.13 mg/ear, equivalent to its content in SPRE) dose-dependently reduced the ear edema with the maximal inhibition of 79.12% and 73.63%, respectively. Triamcinolone (0.1 mg/ear) and diclofenac (1 mg/ear) as reference drugs inhibited the edema by 73.63% and 37.91%. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the mouse ear was also decreased by SPRE and EA up to 69.68% and 68.79%, respectively. Triamcinolone and diclofenac decreased the MPO activity by 76.66% and 80.14% similarly. The results indicated that topical application of SPRE and EA is promising for use in the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders.