European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

POMEGRANATE PEEL EXTRACTS ACTIVITY AS AN ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT AGENT AGAINST BACTERIAL DISEASES

Ananth A.*, Uma Devi A, Naveenkumar Rajendran, Rajiv Gandhi Gopalsamy, Hemalatha R.

ABSTRACT

Aim and Objectives: In the present study, the Punica granatum (pomegranate) fruit rind was taken and subjected to assessment for its important therapeutic applications like antioxidant and antimicrobial and also screened for its pharmacognostic and phytochemical features. Materials and Methods: Pharmacognostical and phytochemical parameters determined in the present work can serve as major criteria for the identity, quality, and purity of a crude drug and extracts. Standard methods were used to screen Punica granatum fruit rinds’ pharmacognostical, phytochemical, antimicrobial, and antioxidant potentials. Results: Results of antimicrobial activity revealed that the extracts showed good antimicrobial activity against all pathogens tested. The best activity was noted against E.coli (26mm) followed by Klebsiella (23mm) at 1600g/disc concentration. Based on the phytochemical indicated that flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds and tannins might be responsible for the biological activity and In Vitro antioxidant assay results that the IC50 values based on the DPPH (47.93±100µg/ml) and Superoxide radical (91.28±100µg/ml) is concluded which exhibit antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity. It also chelates iron and possesses reducing power. Conculsion: In vitro assay systems confirm Punica granatum fruit rind as natural antioxidants but it is doubtful that specific components are responsible for antioxidant activity. This knowledge will be crucial in the future in drug discovery to develop innovative natural medicines to treat various diseases.

Keywords: Pomegranate fruit peel, bacterial diseases, antioxidant, crude drugs.