Description

• General description: Punicalagin is one of the main ellagitannins (ETs) or hydrolyzable tannins present in pomegranate.[1][2] The chemical structure of punicalagin consists of gallagic acid and ellagic acid connected through a glucose molecule. It has two (α and β) isomeric forms that can be found in the pomegranate.[3][4]
• Application: Punicalagin has been used in the inhibition assay to check its anti-fungal effects on two C. albicans strains.[5] It has also been used as a polyphenolic compound to probe pyroptosis in macrophages[6] and monocytes.[7]
• Biochem/physiol Actions: Punicalagin exhibits an antioxidant effect.[1][2] Ellagitannins like punicalagin cannot be absorbed directly in humans. First, it converts to ellagic acid, which is further converted to bioavailable urolithin A derivative by human colonic microflora.[8] It elicits an inhibitory effect on nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway which in turn protects against cancer,[9] neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and memory impairment.[10] It has antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against S. aureus.[11]