In Vitro Antidiabetic, Antiinflammatory, Cytotoxic, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Peel

In this study, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiinflammatory and cytotoxic properties of the pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel were investigated. The composition of the phenolic compounds of the pomegranate peel extract (33%, 78°C, 113 min) was determined and it was found to contain high amounts of punigalagin, caffeic acid and epicatechin. At the same time, the extract was found to have high antioxidant capacity. It showed antimicrobial activity against selected microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger) and its highest microbial resistance was found to be against S. aureus (21 mm; 1.87 mg extract /mL). It inhibited ?-amylase and ?-glucosidase enzymes and showed the antidiabetic property. At the same time, the extract was able to inhibit xanthine oxidase and lipoxygenase enzymes that were responsible for the inflammation and its cytotoxic activity on breast and bone cancer cells were also observed. It was concluded that pomegranate peel extracts could be used in food and non-food applications due to its biological activities. © 2017 The authors.