Studies on Activity Guided Fractionation of Pomegranate Peel Extracts and Its Effect on Antidiabetic and Cardiovascular Protection Properties

Abstract

Pomegranate peel (PP) was sequentially extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, methanol/water and water (C1–C5, respectively) and the extracts were assessed for its antioxidant and antidiabetic potential. Extracts, C2 and C3, which exhibited maximum free radical scavenging and a-glucosidase inhibitory activity, were further fractionated using hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol (C2–F1, F2, F3; C3–F4, F5, F6). Fractions, F1 and F5, of methanol extract showed highest 2,2- diphenyl picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity (IC50 – 3.69 and 4.39 mg/mL, respectively); F5 exhibited significantly high 2,20-azinobis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline 6-sulfonic acid, superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (IC50 – 3.6, 20.89 and 10.7 mg/mL) and a glucosidase inhibition (IC50 – 0.0453 mg/mL). F5 demonstrated promising inhibition against LDL oxidation (IC50 – 16.2 mg/mL) and ACE inhibition properties (IC50 – 0.77 mg/mL). These findings suggest the ability of PP extracts to manage type 2 diabetes and associated complications.