Abstract:
Punica granatum L. (pomegranate) is a widely eaten fruit. The antidiabetic, antioxidative,
and antilipidemic properties of the hydroalcoholic extracts of the different plant's parts
have been extensively studied, with scarce information on the acetone extract (ACE).
This study investigated antidiabetic, antioxidative, and antiobesogenic properties of
ACE of the fruit peel. Preliminary data showed that ACE showed stronger antioxidant
(radical-scavenging IC50 = 1.56 μg/ml) and ⍺-amylase inhibitory (IC50 = 10.6 μg/ml)
properties than the hydroalcoholic extracts and Acarbose. The ACE inhibited protein
glycation and lipase activity. In hepatocytes, ACE impaired oxidative stress-induced
lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione depletion but increased glucose uptake
without decreasing the cell viability. HPLC analysis showed predominant presence of
bioactive phenolic acids (ferulic, caffeic, and gallic acids) in this extract. This study suggests
that ACE of P. granatum fruit peel may be an understudied extract that contains
potent antidiabetic and antioxidative bioactive principles with minimal toxicity.
Practical applications
Plant derived medicines have been an affordable and effective alternative therapy for
many metabolic diseases, including diabetes. The fruit juice and fruits of pomegranate
is widely consumed for the palatable taste and cardiovascular benefits. This study
provides preliminary experimental evidences confirming that of the acetone extracts
of pomegranate fruit peel, which has been sparsely studied, may possess more potent
antidiabetic and antioxidative property than to the routinely studied hydroalcoholic
counterparts. Additionally, the acetone extract is rich in bioactive phenolic acids,
suggesting that the acetone extract of pomegranate fruit peel may be a promising
candidate for further antidiabetic study and a source of bioactive principles for the
management of diabetes and oxidative complications.
