What is punicalagin?
Punicalagin is the polyphenol with the highest molecular weight discovered up to now. It is hydrolysed in ellagic acid and has the highest antioxidant capacity in the pomegranate, followed by other hydrolysable tannins (33% of total activity) and to a lesser extent, ellagic acid (3%) (Gil et al 2000).
Where is punicalagin found?
Punicalagin is the most important component of pomegranates for its properties and benefits, and is found mainly in the skin and inner membranes.
How can we consume it?
There are a number of nutraceutical products based on punicalagin, such as capsules, ampoules and concentrates.
The functional chemistry of pomegranate and its derivatives
In recent years, scientific research studies have been vitally important for the farming and industrial sector as well as for the research sector.
Research on the components of pomegranate show that they may have a role to play in the prevention or treatment of certain diseases.
The EFSA has not yet authorised a statement
It should be mentioned that the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) is the body in charge of judging whether a statement of healthy properties is objectively supported by product research.
As can be seen further on, there are many articles referring to the properties of the pomegranate and its products but its statement as a food product has not yet been authorised (EU, 2016).
We would also like to emphasise that in Spain we grow 95% of total European production and we have the best technology in the world for extracting the polyphenols from the fruit.
Here are some links to articles published in scientific journals on pomegranate research studies:
Cholesterol reduction
Lessening cardiovascular risk
Favours recovery following cerebrovascular accident
Protective effect on cirrhosis
Counteracts dental decay
Antimicrobial for treating urinary tract infections
Elimination of cancerous stem cells
Treatment of oral thrush
Slows hearing loss
Prevents loss of skeletal muscle
Reduces total hepatic cholesterol
Disease prevention
Significantly reduces oxidative stress
Protects against cardiovascular risk factors
Has neuroprotective effects
Therapeutic treatment of hypertension
Reduces pain from arthrosis
Reducing the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease
Protects against arsenic
Osteoarthritis treatment
Antimalarial activity
Kidney protection
Treatment and prevention of liver cancer
Protection against pollen
Combined with TAMOXIFEN it can improve and heighten the action of this drug
Chemopreventive in lung cancer
Protects against pre-eclampsia
Reduces obesity-related complications
Reduces lipid peroxidation
Anti-depressive effect
Improves performance in anaerobic exercise
Protects against nephrectomy
Eliminates prostate carcinogenesis
Bactericide effect
Chemoprevention of breast cancer
Capture of free radicals and anti-inflammatory activity
Inhibition of angiogenesis associated with prostate cancer
Inhibiting effects in leukaemia
Improves depressive state and bones in menopause
Reduction of inflammation in coronary arteriosclerosis
Lessens progression of Alzheimer’s disease
Inhibits growth and progression of lung cancer
Against pulmonary fibrosis
Protector in ultraviolet radiation from sun
Effective deactivating of flu virus A
Reduce cardiovascular risk factors of patients in haemodialysis
For pain and inflammation
Slows the development of melanoma
Anti-ulcerous activity
Prevents renal damage
Eliminates bladder cancer cells
Prevention of chronic diseases
Brain protection
Prevention of osteoporosis
Protection against infection in the diabetic wound
Attenuates hyperglycaemic effects in diabetes
Reduces PSA in prostate cancer cells
Treatment of metastatic prostate cancer cells
Skin protection