Punicic Acid: A Versatile and Promising Nutraceutical with Potential Health Benefits

Abstract

Fruits are an important part of the human diet because they not only provide basic nutrients but also have a therapeutic effect against different diseases. Pomegranate is an ancient fruit and has several versatile proactive such as punicic acid, commonly known as omega 5; a polyunsaturated fatty acid and an isomer of conjugated linolenic acid (CLnA). It is mostly found in pomegranate seed oil (PSO) extracted by different methods including superheated hexane extraction method, cold pressing, soxhlet method, and supercritical fluid extraction method. It is readily metabolized into conjugated linoleic acid in the human body and does not affect lipid metabolism and the process of oxidation. This 9c, 11t-conjugated linoleic acid has an important biological role in biological role in the body and is the natural source of CLA in the body which is made through the breakdown of CLnA. It has many health benefits as an anti-oxidant by reducing the level of reactive oxidative species (ROS) and anti-carcinogenic and anti-diabetic activities by reducing the activity of tumor necrosis factor TNF-α and nuclear factor kappa B (NFkβ) and up-regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) gene involved in glucose homeostasis. In addition, this versatile proactive induces apoptosis and reduces proliferation and anti-inflammatory by lowering the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines.