*Corresponding Author: Dr. Dipali Mukesh Nandave, Department of Dravyaguna Vigyan, All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi-110076, India. E-mail: dipalinandave@gmail.com
Received: 5th Jan, 2026; Revised: 4th Feb 2026; Accepted: 28th Feb, 2026; Available Online: 13th March, 2026
Punica granatum L. (pomegranate) is a medicinally relevant species of family Punicaceae, which has found widespread uses in various types of traditional medicine practices over centuries all over the world. The review was intended to synthesize a wealth of pharmacognostic and pharmacological information on Punica granatum by conducting a systematic secondary research methodology that included the examination of peer-reviewed literature, ethnobotanical accounts and pharmacopoeial monographs. Pharmacognostic standardization These parameters were definitive macroscopic and microscopic parameters of authentication such as ash values of 4.2 to 6.8, extractive values of 18.3 to 24.7, and TLC fingerprinting of punica granatum, ellagic acid, and gallic acid at Rf characteristic values. Phytochemical studies have established remarkably high bioactive constituent profiles such as punica granatum punica granatum punica granatum punica granatum punica granatum punica granatum punica granatum punica granatum punica granatum punica granatum punica granatum punica granatum punica granatum punica granatum punica granatum punica granatum punica granatum punica granatum punica granatum punica granatum punica granatum punica granatum Methanolic peel extracts containing 185.4 mg GAE/gram of total phenolic content directly supported excellent antioxidant activity exhibited through DPPH IC 0 50 of 18.4 0g/mL, which is higher than the ascorbic acid standard. Pharmacological analyses showed the presence of a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity with a 62.5 µg/mL MIC against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, potent NF-kB mediated anti-inflammatory effect and selective anticancer cytotoxicity through caspase-mediated apoptosis against MCF-7, HT-29 and LNCaP cancer cell lines. Further pharmacological results supported the normalization of hepatoprotective enzymes, high alpha-glucosidase inhibitory effects over acarbose and favourable acetylcholinesterase enzyme inhibitory effect indicative of neuroprotection. All these extensive results substantiate Punica granatum as a scientifically proven, phytochemically rich and pharmacologically potential medicinal plant that is in need of rapid clinical research and drug development.
Keywords: Punica granatum, Pharmacognosy, Pharmacological activities, Phytochemistry, Antioxidant activity, Medicinal plants.
How to cite this article: Nandave DM, Deogade MS, Nesari TM. Punica granatum L. (Pomegranate): Pharmacognostic and Pharmacological Insights. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(8s): 870-879. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.8s.96
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: The author declares no conflict of interest, and this work represents independent academic research conducted in a personal capacity, not associated with any employer or commercial entity.