Pomegranates and their extracts may provide natural alternatives to conventional drugs due to their potent activity against various bacterial and viral pathogens.
In investigating the potency of pomegranates, various parts of the plant, including the fruit juice, peel, arils, flowers and bark, were tested for antimicrobial activities, with significant success found particularly in the utilization of the pomegranate peel. The phytochemical compounds examined in the study, particularly ellagic acid and larger hydrolyzable tannins like punicalagin, exhibited high antimicrobial activity. In some instances, the amalgamation of pomegranate constituents delivered the most benefit.
The results indicate the compelling positive effect of pomegranates on the suppression of oral bacteria. The evidence supporting the antibacterial and antiviral activities of pomegranates against foodborne pathogens and other infectious disease organisms was primarily obtained from in vitro cell-based assays. This prompts the need for further exploration and confirmation of these activities in vivo.
