Punica granatum (Pomegranate)

Punica granatum (Pomegranate)

Product Name: Гранат, Punica granatum, Granatapfel, Granada, Grenadier, رمان‎, ทับทิม

Synonyms: гранат обыкновенный, гранатовое дерево, pomegranate peel, pomegranate rind, Granatbaumrinde, piel de granada, écorce de grenade, قشر الرمان‎, เปลือกทับทิม

Main indications for the use of Punica granatum: Chronic colitis, ulcerative colitis, nonspecific ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal candidiasis, enterocolitis of bacterial etiology, dysentery, foodborne toxic infections, gingivitis, periodontitis, stomatitis, tonsillitis, chronic pharyngitis, urinary tract infections, vaginal candidiasis, trichomoniasis, prostatitis of bacterial etiology, atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, alimentary obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, prediabetes, dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, skin mycoses, trichophytosis, microsporia, microbial eczema.

Use of Punica granatum in mixtures and complexes: Gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease, erosive gastritis, viral and toxic hepatitis, cholecystitis, helminthiasis, intestinal dysbiosis, bacterial vaginosis, Helicobacter pylori gastritis, chronic fatigue, immunodeficiency states, chronic dermatoses, seborrheic dermatitis, acne.

Pharmacological properties of Punica granatum: antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, astringent, hemostatic, antidiabetic, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antiparasitic, hepatoprotective, antiatherogenic, antifungal, antitumor, immunomodulatory.

Dosage of Pharmaceutical Forms — Punica granatum

Powder — Punica granatum

Indications (Powder): Chronic colitis, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, dysentery, gingivitis, periodontitis, chronic pharyngitis, vaginal candidiasis, osteoarthritis, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, microbial eczema, trichophytosis, intestinal candidiasis.

Standard Dosage (Powder): Oral administration of 0.5 grams of powder 2 times a day, 30 minutes before meals, for 10–14 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Powder): For acute bacterial and fungal intestinal infections, recurrent candidiasis, and inflammatory periodontal diseases, administration of 1 gram 2 times a day for 7–10 days is permissible.

Maximum Dosage (Powder): Should not exceed 3 grams per day. The maximum dosage is permissible for the treatment of severe acute enterocolitis, bacterial candidiasis of the intestine, and pronounced candidal stomatitis, strictly under specialist supervision.

Preventive Dosage (Powder): 0.25 grams once a day in the morning, for 20 days, every 2 months. Recommended for a tendency to intestinal dysbiosis, chronic periodontitis, hypercholesterolemia, and in the post-infection period. Suitable for adult patients with a body weight from 60 to 90 kilograms.

Pediatric Dosage (Powder): From 7 years, with a body weight from 25 kilograms — 0.1 grams once a day, strictly under the supervision of a pediatrician. Not recommended for children under 7 years due to the lack of clinical dose testing.

Contraindications (Powder): Ulcerative disease in the acute phase, individual hypersensitivity, tendency to constipation. No scientific data on contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 7 years have been registered.

Side Effects (Powder): When exceeding 3 grams per day, dyspeptic phenomena, headache, and decreased blood pressure may be observed.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Powder): For patients with body weight below 60 kilograms — reduction of dosage by 25%. For patients with body weight above 90 kilograms, an increase in dosage by 25% is permissible, while maintaining the frequency of administration.

Preparation method (Powder): To prepare 100 grams of powder: pomegranate peel of mature fruits — 100 grams. The peel is thoroughly cleaned of the soft part, dried at a temperature of 45–50°C for 48 hours. After complete drying, it is ground in a porcelain mortar to a finely dispersed powder, sieved through a sieve with a mesh size of 0.25 mm. The finished powder is packaged in a light-proof container.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Powder): Store in an airtight glass container at a temperature of 10 to 25°C, in a dry dark place, away from sources of electromagnetic radiation. Shelf life — up to 12 months. After opening, use within 30 days.

Extract — Punica granatum

Indications (Extract): Hyperglycemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia, bacterial and fungal intestinal lesions, gingivitis, vaginal candidiasis, dermatophytosis, chronic prostatitis, metabolic syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis.

Standard Dosage (Extract): Orally 10–15 drops of liquid extract (1:2 in 70% ethanol) 2 times a day, diluted in 50 ml of water, 30 minutes before meals. Course — 14 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Extract): For candidiasis, severe forms of dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome — 20 drops 3 times a day, diluted in water. Course — 10 days with monitoring of laboratory parameters.

Maximum Dosage (Extract): No more than 90 drops per day. Used for active bacterial colitis, resistant vaginal candidiasis, and skin mycoses, only under medical supervision.

Preventive Dosage (Extract): 5 drops once a day on an empty stomach, course of 21 days, repeated every 2 months. Indications: prediabetes, hypercholesterolemia, a tendency to inflammation of the oral mucosa, and elderly patients.

Pediatric Dosage (Extract): Permissible from 12 years with a body weight from 40 kilograms — 5 drops once a day for 7–10 days, only as prescribed by a doctor.

Contraindications (Extract): Individual intolerance, chronic alcoholic hepatosis, exacerbation of gastritis, pregnancy and lactation — no safety data registered. Not recommended for children under 12 years.

Side Effects (Extract): Headache, irritation of the gastric mucosa, palpitations when the dosage exceeds 90 drops per day are possible.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Extract): Patients with body weight less than 60 kg — reduction of dosage by 20%. For body weight more than 90 kg — increase of dosage by 20%, while maintaining the regimen.

Preparation method (Extract): To prepare 100 grams of liquid extract: ground dry pomegranate peel — 50 grams, 70% ethanol — 100 ml. The raw material is infused in a tightly closed glass container at a temperature of 20–22°C for 7 days, shaking daily. After infusion, filter through gauze and paper filter, bring the volume to 100 ml with ethanol. Store in an airtight container.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Extract): Store at a temperature of 10 to 25°C in a dark place, in an airtight dark glass container. Avoid exposure to direct light sources and EMI. Shelf life — 12 months. After opening, use within 30 days.

Alcohol-Based Tincture — Punica granatum

Indications (Tincture): Chronic enterocolitis, bacterial colitis, intestinal candidiasis, gum inflammation, chronic tonsillitis, dysbiosis, trichophytosis, microsporia, chronic vaginal infections, inflammatory processes of the mucous membranes, hyperglycemia.

Standard Dosage (Tincture): Oral administration of 1 teaspoon (5 ml) once a day, diluted in 50 ml of warm water, 20 minutes before meals. Externally — in the form of rinses (10 ml of tincture per 100 ml of water) 2–3 times a day.

Enhanced Dosage (Tincture): 5 ml 2 times a day orally for pronounced intestinal infection, acute oral candidiasis, and fungal dermatitis. Externally — 15 ml of tincture per 100 ml of water, applications or rinses 3 times a day.

Maximum Dosage (Tincture): Do not exceed 15 ml per day for oral administration. Use at the maximum dose is possible for acute bacterial enterocolitis, inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity, and resistant gingivitis.

Preventive Dosage (Tincture): 2.5 ml of tincture orally once a day, course of 14 days. Repeat after 2 months. Recommended for patients with chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, a tendency to candidiasis, and metabolic disorders.

Pediatric Dosage (Tincture): Oral use is not recommended for children under 12 years. Externally (rinses and lotions) — from 7 years, 2 ml of tincture per 100 ml of water, once a day under medical supervision.

Contraindications (Tincture): Contraindicated in alcoholism, liver diseases, in childhood under 12 years (orally), during pregnancy and lactation — no safety data. Individual intolerance.

Side Effects (Tincture): Headache, nausea, gastric irritation, hand tremor when the dosage is exceeded.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Tincture): Patients with body weight below 60 kg — dose reduction by 25%. Above 90 kg — dose increase by 25%, no more than 15 ml per day.

Preparation method (Tincture): To prepare 100 ml of tincture: 20 grams of dry pomegranate peel, 100 ml of 40% ethyl alcohol. Pre-grind the peel, pour with alcohol, infuse in a tightly closed vessel at a temperature of 20–25°C for 10 days. Shake daily. Then filter the tincture, squeeze, and bring the volume to 100 ml with alcohol.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Tincture): Store in a cool, dark place at a temperature of 10 to 25°C, in an airtight glass container. Avoid direct light and magnetic fields. Shelf life — 24 months. After opening, use within 45 days.

Oil Infusion — Punica granatum

Indications (Oil Infusion): Skin candidiasis, fungal dermatitis, skin fissures and inflammations, eczema, psoriasis, herpes, inflammatory lesions of the mucous membranes of the external genitalia, skin microtraumas, pustular lesions, insect bites.

Standard Dosage (Oil Infusion): Externally — apply to affected areas of the skin 1–2 times a day in a thin layer. Do not rub in. Course duration — 7–10 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Oil Infusion): For pronounced mycosis, fungal infection of the interdigital spaces, and skin candidiasis — up to 3 times a day with application under a bandage. Course 10–14 days.

Maximum Dosage (Oil Infusion): Apply no more than 5 ml to the skin per day. The maximum dosage is used for extensive areas of mycosis or recurrent bacterial dermatitis.

Preventive Dosage (Oil Infusion): Once a day on the risk zone (for example, feet, skin folds, under-breast area) after water procedures. Used for 5–7 days in a row each month for patients with chronic mycoses, diabetes mellitus, and excessive sweating.

Pediatric Dosage (Oil Infusion): From 5 years, with a body weight from 20 kg — apply once a day to the affected area of skin with an area of no more than 25 cm². Duration of use — no more than 5 days. Suitable for children of any gender.

Contraindications (Oil Infusion): Individual hypersensitivity. Do not apply to open wounds, mucous membranes of the eyes, inside the nose and mouth. During pregnancy and lactation — no data on contraindications have been registered. Safety in children under 5 years has not been studied.

Side Effects (Oil Infusion): Rarely — irritation, redness of the skin, itching. When the dosage is exceeded, an allergic reaction in the form of contact dermatitis is possible.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Oil Infusion): Adjustment is not required for external use. However, in persons with body weight below 40 kg, it is recommended to reduce the treatment area.

Preparation method (Oil Infusion): To prepare 100 grams of infusion: 30 grams of dry pomegranate peel, 100 ml of cold filtered oil (olive or cold-pressed sesame). Grind the peel, heat in a water bath to a temperature of 40°C. Pour with warm oil, mix. Infuse in a closed glass container at 35–40°C for 7 days, shaking daily. After infusion, strain, squeeze, store in an airtight container.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Oil Infusion): Store at a temperature of 10 to 25°C, in a dark place, in a glass container with a tightly closed lid. Protect from direct light and emitting devices. Shelf life — 6 months. After opening, use within 30 days.

Peeling Mask — Punica granatum

Indications (Peeling Mask): Hyperkeratosis, seborrheic dermatitis, comedonal acne, skin photoaging, decreased elasticity and dull complexion, epidermal pigment spots, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Standard Dosage (Peeling Mask): Apply a thin layer to cleansed skin of the face and neck, avoiding the area around the eyes, for 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Apply once a week. Course — 4–6 procedures.

Enhanced Dosage (Peeling Mask): For pronounced hyperkeratosis, post-acne, and oily seborrhea — apply for 15 minutes, 2 times a week. Course — up to 6 weeks. Under medical supervision.

Maximum Dosage (Peeling Mask): It is not recommended to leave the mask for more than 20 minutes or apply more than 3 times a week. Maximum regimens are permissible for dense skin with pronounced comedonosis and hyperpigmentation.

Preventive Dosage (Peeling Mask): Apply once every 10–14 days for 5–7 minutes for the prevention of skin aging, dull complexion, and seasonal rashes. Suitable for persons over 30 years of age with combination or oily skin.

Pediatric Dosage (Peeling Mask): Use is permissible from 12 years for oily and problem skin, for 5 minutes once a week. External use only. Avoid contact with eyes.

Contraindications (Peeling Mask): Active skin inflammations, rosacea, sensitive or dry skin, allergy to components. During pregnancy and lactation — contraindications have not been registered, but use with caution. Do not use in children under 12 years.

Side Effects (Peeling Mask): Burning, redness, peeling in case of overdose. Short-term hyperemia is possible.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Peeling Mask): Adjustment is not required. The mask is applied according to the skin area and does not penetrate systemically.

Preparation method (Peeling Mask): For 100 grams of product: pomegranate peel powder — 10 grams, 5% lactic acid — 5 ml, lemon juice — 3 ml, white clay — 30 grams, distilled water — 52 ml. Mix the dry components, gradually adding acids and water to obtain a homogeneous paste. Component temperature — room temperature. Keep the mixture for 30 minutes before use. Do not use metal containers.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Peeling Mask): Store in a glass container with an airtight lid, at a temperature of 4 to 10°C, in the refrigerator. Avoid freezing. Shelf life — 14 days. After opening, use within 7 days.

Cold Cream — Punica granatum

Indications (Cold Cream): Dry skin, peeling, sensitivity to cold and wind, rosacea outside exacerbation, restoration of the skin barrier after acid peels, prevention of microcracks in patients with hypothyroidism and dermatological pathologies accompanied by xerosis.

Standard Dosage (Cold Cream): Apply a thin layer to clean skin of the face and exposed areas of the body 1–2 times a day. Can be used as a night restorative cream. Course — 14 days, then a 7-day break.

Enhanced Dosage (Cold Cream): For exacerbation of dry skin, cold allergy, and skin barrier impairment — up to 4 times a day. Course duration — up to 21 days. Use in the cold period or in conditions of low humidity.

Maximum Dosage (Cold Cream): Up to 5 applications per day on limited areas of the skin (no more than 200 cm²), permissible for pronounced xerosis and eczema without weeping. Use for 7 days under dermatological supervision.

Preventive Dosage (Cold Cream): Apply once a day in the evening for 10 days each month in the autumn-winter period. Recommended for patients with hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, elderly people with age-related dry skin, and people working in the cold and wind.

Pediatric Dosage (Cold Cream): From 3 years, with a body weight from 15 kilograms — apply a thin layer once a day to areas with pronounced dry skin (cheeks, hands, knees), no more than 2 ml per application. Suitable for both boys and girls.

Contraindications (Cold Cream): Allergy to drug components. Do not use for weeping eczema and skin infections. During pregnancy and lactation, contraindications have not been registered. Safety in children under 3 years has not been established.

Side Effects (Cold Cream): With excessive application, pore occlusion and the appearance of comedones are possible. Rarely — contact dermatitis in case of individual intolerance.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Cold Cream): Not required, since the form is applied externally and locally. A reduction in the amount of cream is recommended for children and persons with reduced body weight.

Preparation method (Cold Cream): For 100 grams: beeswax — 10 grams, almond oil — 40 grams, rose water — 45 ml, pomegranate peel powder — 2 grams, glycerin — 3 ml. Melt the wax in a water bath at a temperature of 65°C, add almond oil. Introduce the peel powder, mix thoroughly. Pour in rose water, whipping until an emulsion forms. Cool to 30°C, add glycerin. Store in a glass jar with a lid.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Cold Cream): Store at a temperature of 4 to 10°C, in the refrigerator, away from light sources. Avoid contact with metal lids. Shelf life — up to 30 days. After opening, use within 14 days.

Solid Cosmetic Soap — Punica granatum

Indications (Solid Cosmetic Soap): Oily and combination skin, mild acne, skin inflammations of bacterial and fungal nature, hyperkeratosis, tendency to irritation after shaving, hygienic care for dermatophytosis, post-acne.

Standard Dosage (Solid Cosmetic Soap): Use for washing the face and body once a day in the evening. Lather, apply to damp skin, leave for 30 seconds, rinse. Suitable for daily use in a course of up to 30 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Solid Cosmetic Soap): In the presence of inflammatory elements, comedones, and mycotic manifestations on the skin — 2 times a day. Use with caution on sensitive skin. Course — up to 21 days.

Maximum Dosage (Solid Cosmetic Soap): Up to 3 applications per day for 7 days on limited areas (back, décolleté, buttocks) for pronounced pustular rashes or fungal infections.

Preventive Dosage (Solid Cosmetic Soap): Once a day every other day. Recommended for adolescents with oily skin, patients with a predisposition to folliculitis and fungal dermatoses, and when working in conditions of high humidity. Course — 2 weeks every 2 months.

Pediatric Dosage (Solid Cosmetic Soap): Permissible from 10 years. Use once every 2 days, lather in the palms, avoiding direct contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Suitable for children with oily and problem skin.

Contraindications (Solid Cosmetic Soap): Hypersensitivity to alkali and essential oils, atopic dermatitis, eczema in the acute stage. No data on contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 10 years have been registered.

Side Effects (Solid Cosmetic Soap): Skin irritation, dryness, feeling of tightness. In rare cases — contact dermatitis with daily excessive use.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Solid Cosmetic Soap): Adjustment is not required. It is important to consider the sensitivity and area of the skin, especially in children and elderly patients.

Preparation method (Solid Cosmetic Soap): For 100 grams: soap base (sodium salts of fatty acids of coconut and palm oil) — 90 grams, pomegranate peel powder — 3 grams, peel decoction — 5 ml, tea tree essential oil — 2 drops. Melt the soap base at a temperature of 60°C in a water bath, add the powder and decoction, mix thoroughly, add the essential oil, pour into molds, cool at 20–25°C until completely solidified. Keep for 48 hours before use.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Solid Cosmetic Soap): Store in a dry, ventilated room at a temperature of 10 to 25°C, away from moisture and sunlight. Shelf life — up to 12 months. After starting use, it is recommended to store in a soap dish with water drainage and use within 30 days.

Hydroglycerin Extract (Glycerite) — Punica granatum

Indications (Glycerite): Dryness of the mucous membranes of the mouth and vagina, irritation after shaving, skin hypersensitivity, seborrheic dermatitis, microtraumas and skin inflammations, recovery after burns and dermatological peels, prevention of microbial complications in microcracks.

Standard Dosage (Glycerite): Externally — apply a thin layer to the skin 1–2 times a day. For the oral cavity — dilute 5 drops in 10 ml of water, use as a mouthwash 2 times a day.

Enhanced Dosage (Glycerite): Up to 3 applications per day for acute skin irritations, fissures, and post-procedural erythema. In the oral cavity — up to 10 drops in 15 ml of water, no more than 3 times a day. Course — 7–10 days.

Maximum Dosage (Glycerite): No more than 4 applications per day or 40 drops per day. Used for an extensive area of skin lesions, for first-degree burns, under specialist supervision.

Preventive Dosage (Glycerite): Once a day for 10 days. Suitable for the prevention of cracks on the lips and hands, irritations in patients with sensitive skin, adolescents with the initial stage of seborrhea, and elderly people in dry air conditions.

Pediatric Dosage (Glycerite): From 3 years — 2 drops, diluted in 5 ml of water for oral rinses, or once a day externally on the elbow folds, face, hands. For body weight less than 20 kg — no more than once a day. Suitable for children of any gender.

Contraindications (Glycerite): Hypersensitivity to components. Do not apply to weeping areas or purulent skin lesions. Data on safety during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 3 years are absent.

Side Effects (Glycerite): Rarely — itching, redness, burning. When taken orally in high doses — nausea, dizziness.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Glycerite): In patients up to 40 kg, it is recommended to reduce the dosage by 30%. With external use, adjustment is not required, but the area of application should be limited.

Preparation method (Glycerite): For 100 ml of extract: dry pomegranate peel — 20 grams, glycerin — 60 ml, purified water — 40 ml. Grind the raw material, pour with a mixture of glycerin and water (60:40), infuse at a temperature of 25–30°C for 10 days in a tightly closed container, shaking daily. After infusion, filter, squeeze, and bring the volume to 100 ml.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Glycerite): Store in a dark glass container at a temperature of 4 to 15°C, protecting from light and high temperatures. Shelf life — up to 6 months. After opening, use within 30 days.

Liquid Infusion (Glycerin + Water) — Punica granatum

Indications (Liquid Infusion): Inflammations of the oral mucosa, tendency to bleeding gums, tonsillitis, stomatitis, vaginal dysbiosis, prevention of skin and mucous membrane irritation in children and the elderly, sensitive skin after cosmetic procedures.

Standard Dosage (Liquid Infusion): Mouthwash — 10 ml of infusion diluted in 50 ml of warm water, 2 times a day. Vaginal douching — 10 ml per 100 ml of warm boiled water, once a day, course up to 7 days. Externally — applications 1–2 times a day.

Enhanced Dosage (Liquid Infusion): For pronounced inflammations — rinsing up to 4 times a day, douching 2 times a day. Applications to mucous membranes — up to 3 times a day. Duration of use — no more than 5 days with high frequency.

Maximum Dosage (Liquid Infusion): Up to 50 ml of infusion per day in total of all methods of use. Used for pronounced forms of gingivitis, oral and vaginal candidiasis. Only under medical supervision.

Preventive Dosage (Liquid Infusion): Rinse once a day for a course of 7 days every 2 months. Recommended for patients with chronic gum inflammation, recurrent tonsillitis, and during the period of seasonal decline in immunity.

Pediatric Dosage (Liquid Infusion): From 5 years — mouthwash once a day: 5 ml of infusion in 30 ml of water. Use for 5 days in a row. For weight less than 20 kg, use no more than once a day.

Contraindications (Liquid Infusion): Individual intolerance. Do not use for pronounced purulent processes of the mucous membranes. No data on contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 5 years have been registered.

Side Effects (Liquid Infusion): Burning, feeling of dryness of the mucosa, allergic reactions when the dosage is exceeded are possible.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Liquid Infusion): For patients with body weight less than 40 kg — reduction of dosage by 30%. With external use, adjustment by body weight is not required.

Preparation method (Liquid Infusion): For 100 ml of infusion: dry pomegranate peel — 10 grams, purified water — 60 ml, glycerin — 40 ml. Pour boiling water (60°C) over the peel, keep in a water bath for 30 minutes, cool to 40°C, add glycerin, mix, and infuse for 48 hours in an airtight container in a dark place. Filter. The infusion is ready for use.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Liquid Infusion): Store at a temperature of 4 to 10°C, in a tightly closed dark glass bottle, in the refrigerator. Avoid freezing and exposure to direct light. Shelf life — up to 14 days. After opening, use within 5 days.

Toxicity and Biosafety of Punica granatum

Data on the toxicity of pomegranate peel indicate its high degree of biosafety upon oral and external use. Experimental studies on animals have shown that aqueous and alcoholic extracts of pomegranate peel have extremely low acute toxicity.

In a study conducted using an alcoholic extract of pomegranate peel in laboratory rats, no deaths were recorded at a dose of up to 5000 mg/kg body weight. Therefore, the LD₅₀ value exceeds 5000 mg/kg, which qualifies as a practically non-toxic substance.

With prolonged use of pomegranate peel as part of phytopreparations and cosmetic products, no toxic effects, mutagenicity, or teratogenicity are observed. The levels of alkaloids, tannins, and other biologically active substances are within safe concentrations when recommended dosages are observed.

External use of preparations based on pomegranate peel (including glycerites and oil forms) is not accompanied by accumulation of toxic metabolites and does not cause skin irritation or photosensitization with controlled use.

An in vivo study confirms the absence of signs of histopathological changes in the internal organs of rats receiving pomegranate peel extract for 28 days at doses up to 2000 mg/kg.

Reference: https://www.sciencedirect.com/...

Pharmacodynamics — Punica granatum

The pharmacodynamic action of pomegranate peel is associated with the high content of polyphenolic compounds, including ellagitannins, catechins, gallotannins, and flavonoids. These substances exhibit pronounced antioxidant activity due to their ability to neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress in tissues. The mechanism of action is realized at both the systemic and local levels — through stabilization of cell membranes, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and suppression of the activity of free-radical enzymes.

Polyphenols of pomegranate peel have a modulating effect on inflammatory processes: they suppress the activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines (for example, TNF-α, IL-6), and also inhibit the enzyme pathways of synthesis of inflammatory mediators — cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX). An effect on the regulation of the expression of signaling cascades, such as NF-κB, has been noted, which may indicate the role of pomegranate peel as a natural immunomodulator.

At the level of the gastrointestinal tract, astringent properties are observed, due to the presence of tannins, which contribute to the strengthening of mucous membranes and regulation of barrier function. In the area of the skin, peel extracts have antimicrobial and reparative effects, and also reduce skin sensitivity to irritating agents by reducing pro-inflammatory activity and modulating the local immune response.

Reference: https://www.sciencedirect.com/...

Pharmacokinetics — Punica granatum

The active substances of pomegranate peel mainly belong to the group of highly polar polyphenols, which undergo partial absorption in the small intestine upon oral administration. The bioavailability of individual ellagitannins is limited, however, during passage through the gastrointestinal tract, they can be metabolized by the intestinal microflora to form urolithins — biologically active metabolites with prolonged activity.

After absorption, metabolites are distributed mainly in the hepatic and lymphatic systems, with a tendency to accumulate in the tissues of mucous membranes and skin. Some components penetrate the blood-brain barrier, which suggests potential effects on the central nervous system.

Pomegranate peel extracts used externally or transdermally demonstrate local action, while systemic absorption is minimal. When applied to mucous membranes, rapid absorption of low molecular weight components and their participation in local metabolic reactions are possible.

The main route of metabolism is hepatobiliary. The liver participates in the transformation of flavonoids and ellagitannins through conjugation with glucuronic acid and sulfates. Excretion is carried out mainly with bile and feces, and to a lesser extent with urine. With local use, some components may be excreted with sweat and sebum.

Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...

Mechanisms of Action and Scientific Rationale — Punica granatum

The pharmacological activity of pomegranate peel is due to the action of ellagitannins (primarily punicalagin), flavonoids, phenolic acids, and their derivatives. One of the key mechanisms of action is the inhibition of the activation of the transcription factor NF-κB, which leads to a decrease in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and a decrease in the activity of inflammatory enzymes (COX-2, iNOS).

Modulation of the MAPK signaling pathway has also been demonstrated, which is manifested in a decrease in cell proliferation and modulation of apoptosis. Phenolic compounds of pomegranate peel are able to inhibit the activity of metalloproteinases, which is important for the protection of the extracellular matrix and tissue regeneration. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity and suppression of oxidative stress due to the restoration of the activity of antioxidant enzymes — catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase — are noted.

Functionally active components of pomegranate peel demonstrate the ability to regulate macrophage activity, reduce neutrophil migration, and suppress mast cell degranulation, which confirms its systemic immunomodulatory and antisecretory action.

References: https://www.sciencedirect.com/...; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...

Synergy — Punica granatum

According to in vitro and in vivo data, pomegranate peel demonstrates potentiating interaction with a number of plant substances, including curcumin, green tea (Camellia sinensis), and oak bark extracts. It has been established that the combination of pomegranate peel ellagitannins with catechins enhances antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, exhibiting an additive effect with respect to inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Combined use with curcumin enhances the regulation of cellular apoptotic activity, and also reduces the expression of COX-2 and iNOS, which demonstrates tissue-specific anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative action. The addition of pomegranate peel to phytocomplexes with saponins (for example, from ginseng) allows modulation of the immune response, increasing the activity of NK cells and phagocytes.

Reference: https://www.sciencedirect.com/...

Geography of Use and Traditional Medicine — Punica granatum

Pomegranate peel (Punica granatum) has an extensive history of use in the folk medicine and cultural practices of various regions of the world. The plant is considered one of the oldest cultivated by humans, and already in the III–II millennium BC it was known in Mesopotamia, on the territory of modern Iran and India. In the Vedic tradition, pomegranate is mentioned as a cleansing and restorative plant, widely used in the form of decoctions and pastes for skin and gastric disorders. In Ayurveda, the peel was used as an integral part of rejuvenating mixtures, in particular, in combination with other astringent components.

In Greco-Roman medicine, pomegranate peel was described by Hippocrates and Dioscorides as a remedy with a fixing effect. In the Arab tradition (Unani-Tibb), the peel was included in multicomponent recipes aimed at strengthening the stomach and stopping internal bleeding. In the Middle East, the custom of preparing aqueous infusions of the peel for external washing of women in the postpartum period is still preserved.

In the folk medicine of North Africa, the peel was used for wraps and applications to inflamed areas of the body. Among the Berber and Tuareg peoples, it was often mixed into oil remedies used to protect the skin from the scorching sun. In Sudan and Ethiopia, pomegranate peel was used in smoking mixtures and fumigations aimed at expelling "hot spirits" and restoring the internal "cooling essence."

In traditional Chinese medicine, pomegranate was valued as a "warming" plant with a pronounced ability to compact Qi energy in the lower centers. The peel of the plant was used to strengthen the boundaries of the body — both in a direct and energetic sense. Use covered forms from decoctions and infusions to smoking dried peel as part of therapeutic smoke. In the Tibetan medical tradition, pomegranate peel is mentioned as a component of bitter compositions that stabilize the function of digestive fire.

In the culture of the peoples of the Transcaucasus, especially among Armenians and Georgians, pomegranate peel was traditionally dried and stored as a remedy for preparing an infusion, which was served during seasonal climate changes. In Slavic folk healing, pomegranate peel was considered a "plant of strength," used in ritual washings and protective rites against the evil eye, especially for infants.

In Thailand, pomegranate peel is included in traditional herbal compresses (luk pra kob), used in combination with heating and massage. In the Lao and Cambodian tradition, it was used as part of ritual infusions that were sprayed on the room to expel evil spirits and purify the space after illness.

Thus, pomegranate peel is an ethnobotanically significant substance with a millennia-long history of use in different cultures of the world in both medical and non-medical, ritual-protective contexts.