Overview

Punica granatum L. (Pomegranate) is a rich source of natural antioxidants. These natural antioxidants, particularly polyphenols, exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-tumorigenic, and anti-microbial properties. In this study, 7.5% P. granatum aqueous-peel extracts were prepared in the form of topical ointment and evaluated for their wound healing potential in rabbits in vivo. Three-rabbit groups (n=5) were given incisional wounds, and each group was treated with either pomegranate peels ointment or Fucidin® antibiotic or kept as the control without any treatment. 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (DPPH) assay, phenolic composition, and flavonoids content were used to screen the antioxidant properties of pomegranate seeds, outer and inner peels. Our results indicated that the aqueous-based peel extracts possess higher radical scavenging activity than the seeds extracts, and the applied topical pomegranate peels ointment showed similar efficiency to the commercial antibiotic enhancing wound healing in rabbits without any complications and within 8 days. Hence, the results indicate that the natural pomegranate peel extracts aqueous-based ointment might be used as a natural alternative to artificial antibiotics for treating incisional wounds.