The application of Punica granatum L.in traditional medicine and advances in modern pharmacological activity researchOA

Punica granatum L.is a deciduous shrub belonging to the family Punicaceae and the genus Punica,recognized as a plant with both medicinal and edible value.Its peel,seeds,juice,flowers,and leaves have long been used in traditional Chinese,Mongolian,Tibetan,and Uyghur medicine,illustrating the characteristic phenomenon of“different applications of the same drug”.This article systematically reviews research progress from 2000 to 2025,focusing on chemical composition and pharmacological effects.Clinical practice and accumulated experience have led to distinct preferences across medical traditions:traditional Chinese medicine mainly uses dried peel to relieve diarrhea,stop bleeding,and expel parasites;traditional Mongolian medicine employs processed dried fruits to eliminate“Badgan”,warm the stomach,and aid digestion;Tibetan medicine often applies the seeds to strengthen the stomach and warm the middle energizer;Uyghur medicine uses the flowers to treat diarrhea and trauma.Modern studies show that chemical composition varies significantly among plant parts:the peel is rich in tannins and phenolic acids,seeds contain mostly fatty acids,and flowers are high in flavonoids.These differences lead to varied pharmacological activities,such as antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,and antibacterial effects.Furthermore,studies reveal synergistic effects among active components from different parts,with whole fruit or multi-part combinations showing better efficacy than single components.It should be noted that such synergies were identified through modern pharmacological studies–not derived directly from traditional theories.Together,these findings provide a scientific basis for the traditional“different applications of the same drug”and support further development of pomegranate resources based on multi-component synergy.