Evaluation of Biological Activity of Pomegranate Peel Extract as Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Anticancer

Abstract

Pomegranate peel contains a significant quantity of antioxidants, phenols, and flavonoids, which have been shown to have strong anticancer properties. These substances also show potential in treating chronic diseases like stomach ulcers, skin, prostate, colon, and breast cancers. This work aims to evaluate the phytochemical composition of aqueous and ethanolic extracts derived from pomegranate peel and investigate their potential antibacterial and anticancer properties. In comparison with the aqueous extracts, the phenolic and flavonoid components of the pomegranate peel ethanolic extracts showed higher significant levels. Furthermore, ethanolic extracts have demonstrated a stronger antioxidant action. Hesperidin was found to be the main flavonoid compound, while pyrogallol was shown to be the major phenolic compound. When comparing these compounds to the aqueous extract and raw material, the ethanolic extract showed the highest values. Pomegranate peel extract, especially the ethanolic extract, has potent antibacterial and antifungal effects against pathogenic microorganisms. The ethanolic extract demonstrates greater efficacy than the aqueous extract and commercial antibiotics, mainly attributed to its higher polarity and better extraction capacity for active compounds such as phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Pomegranate peel aqueous and ethanolic extract effectively and safely inhibit cell proliferation of liver and colon tumour cells. Pomegranate peel polyphenols cause chemo-prevention and selective toxicity against cancer cells. Both aqueous and ethanolic extracts promote tumour cell apoptosis and necrosis. Notably, the ethanolic extract has more induction of apoptotic and reduction of necrotic cells than the aqueous extract.