Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a deciduous shrub and native to Iran having ancient culture in this country and Iran is one of the biggest producers of pomegranate in the world. This fruit is used in traditional medicine because of its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and alleviative characteristics. Extracts of different parts of pomegranate fruit is rich in phenolic compounds and its rind extract and seed oil have vigorous antioxidant activity. Elagic acid is one of the most important phenolic compound with antioxidant activity, present in the pomegranate rind extract. Inhibitory effect of pomegranate seed oil on breast and skin cancer has been reported. Use of seed oil and extracts of different parts of pomegranate fruit has been considered in production of phytostrogenic compounds. At the present time, the fruit of pomegranate besides its use as a fruit and having nutritional value is also considered for its pharmaceutical characteristics. This paper is a review on articles and different sources in order to get more familiarity with medicinal characteristics of this fruit.

Background: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a drought tolerant fruit-bearing deciduous shrub native to Iran. It is widely cultivated in dry areas of Iran. Pomegranate fruit juice contains a wide range of polyphenolic metabolites, especially punicalagins with powerful antioxidative properties. Pomegranate seed oil is a unique natural product and a rich source of conjugated fatty acids. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacological effects of fruit juice and seed oil of pomegranate on serum lipid levels of hypercholesterolemic rabbits and development of atherosclerosis on their aortas. Methods: Fourthly two males and six months aged white New Zealand rabbits (1.7 -2 kg) were randomly assigned to six equal groups and caged in the same environmental condition. One group was fed on regular animal house rabbit chew. Five other groups fed with high cholesterol diet (1% cholesterol). One group kept as control and other 4 groups fed on same diet supplemented with 1% and 2% doses of pomegranate fruit juice or seed oil. The whole experiment lasted 2 months. At the end of the study (after 2 months) the biochemical analysis of serum lipids and pathological evaluation of atherosclerotic plaque of aortas were performed. Results: Results of biochemical analyses showed that administration of fruit juice and seed oil at both doses did not significantly affect the level of serum lipids profile of hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Pathological data analysis showed that treatments of rabbits with fruit juice and seed oil at both doses significantly reduced aortic atherosclerotic plaque formation. Conclusion: Pomegranate fruit juice and seed oil administration inhibited atherosclerosis development in hypercholesterolemic rabbit’s aortas without any significant effects on lipid profile.

Background: Pomegranate skin is used in traditional medicine and it posseses potent antioxidant properties. Objective: Thisresearch studied the effects of ethanol (80%) extract of pomegranate skin on isolated heart activity. Methods: Isolated rat hearts (n=8) were perfused using Langendorff technique. Following stabilization for at least 20min, lyophilized extract of pomegranate skin at concentratations equal to 0.1, 0.5 and 1% (5min each, respectviely) were added to the perfusion (Krebs) solution. During the experiment, the heart rate, cardiac contractile force and coronary perfusion pressure (as an indicator for coronary tone) were studied. Results: Upon addition of pomegranate skin extract, the mean heart rate gradually declined, a reduction from 223 beats per min at the beginning to 79 beats per min at the end of treatment course (p<0.001). Left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) showed a significant reduction following addition of the extract (p<0.001). Coronary perfusion pressure gradually increased and was 23% higher by the end of the treatment (p<0.001). Conclusion: The current research suggests potent cardiodepressant effects for water alcoholic extract of pomegranate skin.

Pomegranate is a fruit-bearing plant belongs to punicaceae with long time antiquity cultivation. Its origin is Iran and surrounding countries and found as wild and cultivated in most regions of Iran. Different part of the plant such as seed, peel, juice, flower, leaves, bark and roots have various biochemical constituents that show different pharmacological activities. The chemical composition of fruits differs depending on the cultivar, growing region, climate, maturity, cultural practice and storage. Pomegranate contain high levels of polyphenols, sugars, fatty acids, aromatic compounds, amino acids, tocopherols, sterols, terpenoids, alkaloids etc. During recent years, various studies were done on antioxidants, anticancers, anti inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of pomegranate constituents in order to treat and prevent cancers, cardiovascular disease, bacterial infections and antibiotic resistance and dentistry. In this review, it tried to introduce chemical constituents of the plant as well as the most recent scientific founding focusing on mechanisms and key reactions resulting to them.

Background: Ischemic heart disease is the main cause of mortality worldwide.
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intragastric administration of pomegranate fleshy mesocarp (membrane) extract on isolated rat heart following myocardial ischemia and reperfusion.
Methods: Wistar rat’s hearts were removed under deep anesthesia and were studied using Langendorff’s apparatus. During the first stage of the study, isolated hearts in groups of 3 received different concentrations (0.5-0.00001%) of the extract dissolved in Krebs solution. The control group received pure Krebs solution. During the second stage of the study, the control and the test rats, in groups of 10, received distilled water or the ethanol extract of pomegranate juice (200 mg/kg), respectively, daily for 3 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, the hearts of the animals were studied. After 30 min stabilization, all hearts experienced 30 min global ischemia followed by 120 min reperfusion.
Results: Supplementation of pomegranate membrane extract to perfusion solution of isolated hearts suppressed cardiac mechanical activity and increased coronary perfusion pressure. Intragastric administration of the extract caused a significant increase in heart rate and ventricular contractile force. In addition, coronary perfusion pressure increased, and the infarct size significantly decreased compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Direct administration of the extract to isolated hearts results in cardiac depression. However, intragastric administration of the extract causes strong cardioprotective effects against ischemia and reperfusion induced injury in isolated rat hearts.

Background: High level of blood cholesterol can cause diseases such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and increase the chance of apoplexy and fatty liver. Unsaturated fatty acids play important roles in preventing cardiovascular diseases because they decrease total cholesterols and LDL-C in the blood. Objective: The study investigates some sterol compounds of Iranian pomegranate seed oil and their effects on decreasing the level of cholesterol in hypercholesterolaemia rabbits. Methods: Three different varieties of pomegranate were selected and oil extraction was done from powdered tissue by Soxhlet extractor. Then, the extract was transfused into GC-MS for Identification Sterol Compounds. Oil extracted from pomegranate was taken into the diets of hypercholesterolemia rabbits. Results: The results showed that the major phytosterols in pomegranate seed and skin tissues were stigmasterols, ∆5-avenasterols, campsterols and beta-sitosterols, among which the β-sitosterols most dominant phytosterols. Studying the influence of oil extracted on decreasing cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic rabbits show that using 5 and 10 g/kg extracted oil from pomegranate seeds in the diet of hypercholesterolemic rabbits (tested with cholesterol 1%) can decrease significantly total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C of hyperlipidemia against neutral sample and it can increase significantly HDL-C. Conclusion: The role of the pomegranate seed oil in improving the lipid profile of the plasma and reducing undesirable fats may be can have a considerable effect on human health and lowering blood lipids and lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease. Increasing awareness of the potential capacity of this valuable fruit can help to play a ‎better role in the various industries.

Background: Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer and it has the highest rate of growth among different types of cancers. Ursolic acid (UA), a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid, is a major bioactive compound in several traditional medicinal plants including pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) flower. UA has very important biological and pharmacological functions. Objective: In this study, cytotoxic effects of ethanol extract of pomegranate flowers and isolated UA against B16f10 mouse melanoma cells were investigated. Methods: The isolation of UA from pomegranate flowers was done by using ultrasound-assisted extraction followed by normal-phase flash chromatography. The chemical structure of isolated UA was identified by GC-MS, IR and ¹H-NMR spectra. The ethanol extract of pomegranate flowers and isolated UA were then tested for the cytotoxicity against B16f10 mouse melanoma cell lines. Cell viability was determined using MTT assay. Results: Ursolic acid was successfully isolated from pomegranate flowers by using normal-phase flash chromatography. After one flash chromatography run, the purity of UA reached more than 97% with a total yield of 0.1 % of dried pomegranate flower powder. Treatment of B16f10 cells with ethanol extract of pomegranate flowers and isolated UA exhibited significant anti-proliferative activity after incubation for 48 and 72 hours. It was observed for pomegranate flower extract in a concentration and time dependent manner. Conclusion: The results suggested that pomegranate flower extract and isolated UA can be encouraging compounds in the prevention and treatment of melanoma.

Background: Froriepia subpinnata (Ledeb.) Baill. and Pimpinella anisum L. are two important medicinal plants belong to the Apiaceae family. Due to the similar Persian name in ethnobotanical studies, namely “anarijeh”, these two medicinal plants are mistakenly used instead of each other in the Iranian medicinal plants market and even in scientific reports. Objective: In this study, the correct morphological description of studied species were introduced and the chemical composition of their essential oils and their antioxidant activities were determined. Methods: The aerial parts of F. subpinnata and the seeds of P. anisum were crushed separately followed by hydro-distillation method for 3 h using a Clevenger apparatus to obtain essential oils (EOs) and their constituents were analyzed by GC/MS. Also, the potential of antioxidant inhibitory of essential oils were determined using DPPH and FRAP methods. Results: p-Cymen-8-ol (51.13 %), α-terpinolene (7.69 %) and limonene (6.83 %) were the major components of F. subpinnata EO while trans-anethole (85.65 %) and carvone (5.31 %) were the major components in P. anisum EO. The results of antioxidant activities in DPPH and FRAP assays at the concentration of 250 μg/ml were 53.03 and 62.72 % for F. subpinnata and 50.27 and 59.91 % for P. anisum, respectively. The results of antioxidant activity by DPPH and FRAP methods indicated both essential oils had almost similar potential. Conclusion: Type and the amounts of the major components of the essential oils of F. subpinnata and P. anisum can be regarded as an accurate basis for differential diagnosing the plants. These differences can be used as a good phytochemical marker in correct identification and prevention of mistakes and deceptions in herbal products.