Pharmacognostical, Physicochemical Standardization and In vitro Antioxidant Activity of Punica granatum Linn fruit

Introduction: Punica granatum Linn. fruit (Family: Punicacea), known as Pomegranate is ethno-medicinally prescribed in various part of world for treatment of different diseases it is used as antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anticancer and antiparasitic agent. Method: The present study was thus undertaken to find out the necessary pharmacognostical standards for evaluating the fruit of P. granatum. Different assessment such as macroscopical characters, microscopical studies, physicochemical evaluations (loss on drying, moisture content by Karl Fischer titration, ash values, extractive values) and TLC/HPTLC finger print profiling were performed and the relevant quantitative and qualitative parameters were reported. Invitro antioxidant activity is also performed by HPLC-DPPH method. Results: Fruit of P. granatum are Reddish brown in color, Globular and Oval, smooth, 5.0 o 12.0 cm in diameter. Powdered fruit confirmed the presence of Stone cell, Endospermic cell, Group of stone cells, Nonlignified fiber, Starch grain and Lignified fibers and vessels. TLC of the extracts was also carried out in the current study. Physicochemical standards quantified include loss on drying (36.62 ± 4.17 %), moisture content (32.15 ± 3.64 %) total ash (8.58% ± 1.06 %), water soluble ash (7.15 ± 0.97 %), acid insoluble ash (0.45 ± 0.03 %). Safety profile of plant part was recognized by quantify microbial limit test, pesticide residue and heavy metals (Cd, As, Hg and Pb) evaluation. Here is no visible microbial growths were seen in sample. Pesticide residue and heavy metals were observed to be present within the acceptable limits. Conclusion: Scientific investigations do not yet exist to identify the exact plant part and to determine its quality and purity. These studies provided referential information for accurate identification and standardization of this herbal material. These analyses will also be useful to distinguish P. granatum from the closely associated to other species of Punica.