The Nutritional Value of Pomegranate, a Functional Fruit and an Ancient Medicine

Pomegranate is native to Mediterranean regions and Iran which have been extensively used in different cultures and countries. Nutrient components of pomegranate peel is moisture, total solid, protein, total sugars, reducing sugars, fat contents, ash, and crude fiber. Fatty acids identified in pomegranate seed are punicic acid, caproic acid, myristic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid, myristoleic acid, stearic acid, palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid. Chemical components in pomegranate seeds are 3,3,4-Tri-O-methylellagic acid, 3,3-Di-O-methylellagic acid, folic acid, punicic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, sterols, linoleic acid, sex steroids and tocopherols. Chemical components in pomegranate peels are ellagic acid, gallic acid, punicalagin, punicalin, ellagitannins, caffeic acid, alkaloids, pelletierine, quercetin, luteolin, and kaempferol. Chemical ingredient in pomegranate juice are aliphatic organic acids, simple sugars, ellagic acid, gallic acid, flavonols, quinic acid, EGCG, amino acids, minerals, and ascorbic acid. The contents of pomegranate leaves are reducing sugars, carbohydrates, saponins, sterols, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, piperidine, glycoside, flavone, and ellagitannins. The major chemical components in bark and root are piperidine alkaloids, ellagitannins, pelletierine alkaloids, and pyrrolidine. Flower chemical components are ursolic acid, gallic acids, fatty acids, and triterpenoids. The most notable pharmacological benefits of pomegranate are in cancer prevention, reduce inflammation in the gut and improve digestion, antioxidant activity, alzheimer ^,s disease protection, important anti-inflammatory fruit, antiviral activity, high potential to lower systolic blood pressure, a good source for potential fertility aid, rich in different vitamins like vitamin K, C, E, and an important source of potassium and folate. The aim of this manuscript is to introduce and survey the most important pharmacological benefits of pomegranate.