Abstract: Oral hygiene plays a very important role in generalized health of body that is sadly overlooked by most doctorsand the patients.Oral health status profoundly impacts diseases ranging from type 2 diabetes and cancer to rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis.Recent scientific studies show that many of the natural nutrients confers benefits when topically applied in the mouth.Acting as powerful allies in the fight against periodontal disease, these natural compounds can help safeguard against lethal agerelated diseases that emanate from our mouths.

1. Int. J. Pharm. Res. Sci., 2014, 02(1), 1-6.
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Punica Granatum: A Natural And Recent Approach Towards Dental
Problem
Jain Sambhav1, Rai Rohit2, Upadhyaya Ankit Raj 3, Malhotra Garima 4
1 & 2.Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology,Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research
Centre,Delhi Road,Moradabad,India.
3. Department of Conservative and Endodontics,Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre,Delhi
Road,Moradabad,India.
4. Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry,Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre, Delhi
Road,Moradabad,India.
Correspondence Author:Dr Rohit Rai, Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology,Teerthanker
Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre,Delhi Road,Moradabad,India.Email:periodontics07@gmail.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The ripe pomegranate fruit can be up to five
Abstract:
Oral hygiene plays a very important role in
inches wide with a deep red, leathery skin, is
generalized health of body that is sadly
grenade-shaped, and crowned by the pointed
overlooked by most doctorsand the patients.Oral
calyx. The fruit contains many seeds (arils)
health status profoundly impacts diseases ranging
separated by white, membranous pericarp, and
from type 2 diabetes and cancer to rheumatoid
each is surrounded by small amounts of tart, red
arthritis and atherosclerosis.Recent scientific
juice. Fig.1
studies show that many of the natural nutrients
The recent interest for this fruit is not only
confers benefits when topically applied in the
because of the pleasant taste, but also due to the
mouth.Acting as powerful allies in the fight
scientific evidences that suggest therapeutic
against periodontal disease, these natural
activity such as anti-atherogenic, antiparasitic,
compounds can help safeguard against lethal ageantimicrobial, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic and
related diseases that emanate from our mouths.
antiinflammatory effects. These beneficial effects
Introduction:
were attributed to the antioxidative properties of
Pomegranate (Punica granatum L) is considered
pomegranate phenolic compounds, tannins and
one of the oldest known edible fruits and is the
anthocyanins as well as other phytochemicals. The
symbolic of abundance and prosperity. For
constituents of pomegranate have been thoroughly
thousands of years, many cultures have believed
investigated, however, clinical trials are in
that pomegranate have beneficiary effects on
progress to explore the therapeutic potential of
1
health, fertility, longevity and rebirth.
pomegranate products, particularly determining
The pomegranate tree typically grows 12-16 feet,
preventive efficacy of pomegranate extracts in
has many spiny branches, and can be extremely
cancer, cardiovascular diseases, inflammation,
long lived, as evidenced by trees at Versailles,
diabetes and ultraviolet radiation-induced skin
France, known to be over 200 years old. The
damage. 2
leaves are glossy and lanceshaped, and the bark of
the tree turns gray as the tree ages. The flowers
are large, red, white, or variegated and have a
tubular calyx that eventually becomes the fruit.
1

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ISSN: 2348 –0882
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The most therapeutically beneficial pomegranate
constituents are ellagic acid ellagitannins
(including punicalagins), punicic acid, flavonoids,
anthocyanidins, anthocyanins, and estrogenic
Botanical classification of Pomegranate:
flavonols and flavones.2
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
Order:
Myrtales
Family:
Lythraceae
Genus:
Punica
History
The pomegranate, Punica granatum L., an
ancient, mystical, and highly distinctive fruit, is
the predominant member of two species
comprising the Punicaceae family. It was lauded
in ancient times in the Old Testament of the Bible,
the Jewish Torah, and the Babylonian Talmud as a
sacred fruit conferring powers of fertility,
abundance, and good luck. It also features
prominently in the ceremonies, art, and mythology
of the Egyptians and Greeks and was the personal
emblem of the Holy Roman Emperor,
Maximilian. Pomegranate is the symbol and
heraldic device of the ancient city of Granada in
Spain – from which the city gets its name.
The pomegranate is native from the Himalayas in
northern India to Iran but has been cultivated and
naturalized since ancient times over the entire
Mediterranean region. It is also found in India and
more arid regions of Southeast Asia, the East
Indies, and tropical Africa. The tree is also
cultivated for its fruit in the drier regions of
California and Arizona.
In addition to its ancient historical uses,
pomegranate is used in several systems of
medicine for a variety of ailments. In Ayurvedic
medicine the pomegranate is considered “a
pharmacy unto itself” and is used as an
antiparasitic agent, a “blood tonic,” and to heal
aphthae, diarrhoea, and ulcers. 2 Fig. 2
COMPOSTION
Power of Pomegranate
Pomegranate is currently finding important
applications in the field of dental health. Clinical
studies have shown that this popular antioxidant
superstar attacks the causes of tooth decay at the
biochemical level, with remarkable vigor.3,4-7
When used regularly in combination with
toothpaste that has been reinforced with bioactive
botanical extracts and CoQ10, pomegranate
containing mouthwash may fight dental plaque
and tartar formation by inhibiting the activities of
the microorganisms
that
cause
plaque.
Additionally, pomegranate compounds possess
anti-inflammatory properties that may help soothe
irritated tissues.8,9
Pomegranate gets to the root of the problem by
literally hitting bacteria where they live.
Fascinating research shows that pomegranate
extract suppresses the ability of these
microorganisms to adhere to the surface of the
tooth.3 The trick is to inhibit a common species of
Streptococcus, preventing it from producing
chemicals that create favorable conditions for
fungi and other microorganisms to thrive. Plaque
may involve
four
or
more
different
microorganisms combining forces to colonize the
surface of the teeth. Remarkably, nature’s own
pomegranate fights the organisms’ ability to
adhere by interfering with production of the very
chemicals the bacteria use as “glue.”10
In fact, a recent study conducted by Brazilian
researchers showed that pomegranate extract was
more effective against the adherence of biofilm
microorganisms than a pharmaceutical antifungal,
when three or four microorganisms were
involved.3 The results of this study suggest that
“this phytotherapeutic agent might be used in the
control of adherence of different microorganisms
in the oral cavity,” concluded researchers.3
2

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A study conducted at the Human Nutrition Center
“could promote oral health, including affecting
at Ohio State University in 2007 examined the
processes related to gingivitis.”11
effects of using a mouthwash containing
Table.12 Components of
pomegranate extract on the risk of gingivitis.11
pomegranate along with the constituents:
Investigators noted that pomegranate’s active
PLANT
CONSTITUEN
components, including polyphenolic flavonoids
COMPONEN
TS
(e.g., punicalagins and ellagic acid), are believed
T
to prevent gingivitis through a number of
Pomegranate
anthocyanins; glucose,
mechanisms including reduction of oxidative
12-14
juice
ascorbic acid; ellagic
stress in the oral cavity,
direct antioxidant
15,16
acid, gallic acid, caffeic
activity;
anti-inflammatory
effects;
17
acid; catechin, quercetin,
antibacterial activity; and direct removal of
5
rutin;
numerous
plaque from the teeth. They also noted that a
minerals,
particularly
published pilot study has already shown that
iron; amino acids
pomegranate extract can reduce the clinical signs
Pomegranate
95-percent
punicic
of chronic periodontitis.4
seed oil
acid;other constituents,
For the Ohio State study, researchers recruited 32
including ellagic acid;
healthy young men and women, who were
other fatty acids;sterols
randomly assigned to rinse with pomegranate
mouthwash, or placebo, three times daily for four
Pomegranate
phenolic punicalagins;
weeks. Subjects were instructed to rinse for five
pericarp
gallic acid and other fatty
minutes per rinse. Saliva samples were evaluated
(peel, rind)
acids;
catechin,
;
for a variety of indicators related to gingivitis and
quercetin, rutin, and
periodontitis. Subjects rinsing with pomegranate
other flavonols; flavones,
solution experienced a reduction in saliva total
flavonones;
protein content,11 which is normally higher among
anthocyanidins
people with gingivitis18 and may correlate with
Pomegranate
tannins (punicalin and
plaque-forming bacterial content.19
leaves
punicafolin); and flavone
Pomegranate-treated subjects also experienced
glycosides,
including
significant decreases in the salivary activity of the
luteolin and apigenin
enzyme aspartate aminotransferase. This enzyme
Pomegranate
gallic acid, ursolic acid;
is considered a reliable indicator of cell injury and
flower
triterpenoids, including
is elevated among patients with periodontitis.20
maslinic and asiatic acid;
Pomegranate rinsing also lowered saliva activities
other
unidentified
of alpha-glucosidase, an enzyme that breaks down
constituents
sucrose (sugar),21 while it increased activities of
Pomegranate
ellagitannins, including
ceruloplasmin, an antioxidant enzyme.22 “The
roots and bark punicalin
and
pomegranate
extract-induced
increase
in
punicalagin; numerous
ceruloplasmin activity can be expected to
piperidine alkaloids
strengthen
antioxidant
defenses,”
noted
PRODUCTION
investigators. Subjects who rinsed with placebo
Pomegranate can be consumed as fresh, fruit
solution did not experience any of these
11
juice, fermented fruit juice, dried aril, frozen aril,
changes. Taken together, researchers concluded
minimally-processed aril, canned aril, jam, jelly,
that these changes in saliva content indicated that
routine rinsing with a pomegranate mouthwash,
3

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ISSN: 2348 –0882
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wine, vinegar, paste, fruit leather and in
The specific antimicrobial action of Punica
flavouring products.
granatum Linn on dental biofilm bacteria, i.e.,
After washing, the peel is separated from the
Fig. 1 Different Parts of Pomegranate
mesocarp, dried in an incubator at 33°C for 7
disturbance of polyglycan synthesis, thus acting
days. The material is thereafter ground in an
on the adherence mechanisms of these organisms
electric grinder to produce a powder.
to dental surface. The results indicated that the
The active principles are isolated and a
glucan synthesis and its antimicrobial action gave
concentrated extract is obtained. A basic gel
this gel an effective control of the already formed
consisting of carbopol, water and triethanolamine
biofilm, which is considered the primary etiologic
is than prepared.
agent in caries disease and stomatitis.
Next, 0.5 mL of the brute extract, equivalent to
540 mg of the plant powder, was incorporated,
thus resulting in the Punica granatum L. gel.23
PROPERTIES OF POMEGRANATE
1.
Antioxidant properties:- pomegranate
juice and seed extracts have 2-3 times the
antioxidant capacity of either red wine or green
Fig. 2 Pomegranate Fruit
tea.33 Pomegranate extracts have been shown to
scavenge free radicals and decrease macrophage
oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in animals
and increase plasma antioxidant capacity in
elderly humans.
2.
Anticarcinogenic
properties:pomegranate extracts (juice, seed oil, peel)
potently inhibit prostate cancer cell invasiveness
and proliferation, cause cell cycle disruption,
induce apoptosis, and inhibit tumour growth.
These studies also demonstrated combinations of
pomegranate extracts from different parts of the
fruit were more effective than any single extract.
Pomegranate in dentistry:- S. mutans are
directly involved in the etiopathogenesis of caries
and periodontal diseases, denture associated
stomatitis and other infections because they can
contribute to alter the equilibrium of oral
microbiota by creating favourable conditions to
adherence of opportunistic organisms, such as
fungi, to the surfaces of teeth, oral tissues and
prosthetic appliances.
Fig. 3 Pomegranate Paste
3.
Pomegranate in periodontal disease: The Punica granatum Linn (pomegranate) gel has
an inhibitory activity on the adherence of different
bacterial strains and one yeast commonly found in
the oral cavity and might be used in the control of
bacteria and yeasts responsible for oral infections
4

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such as caries, periodontal disease and
granatum extracts. A preliminary study. J Int Acad
24
stomatitis. Fig. 3
Periodontol. 2003 Oct;5(4):106-15.
7. Taguri T, Tanaka T, Kouno I. Antimicrobial
activity of 10 different plant polyphenols against
bacteria causing food-borne disease. Biol Pharm
CONCLUSION
Bull. 2004 Dec;27(12):1965 --9.
8. 50. Lansky EP, Newman RA. Punica granatum
Good oral hygiene is not simply a matter of
(pomegranate) and its potential for prevention and
maintaining good appearances. In the poor oral
treatment of inflammation and cancer. J
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Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Jan 19;109(2):177-206.
resulting in gingivitis and in turn progressing to
9. Shukla M, Gupta K, Rasheed Z, Khan KA, Haqqi
periodontitis. And periodontitis has been
TM. Consumption of hydrolyzable tannins-rich
associated with increased risks of conditions
pomegranate extract suppresses inflammation and
ranging from heart disease to stroke and even
joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis. Nutrition.
pancreatic cancer. By harnessing natural bioactive
2008 Jul-Aug;24(7-8):733-43.
components, such as pomegranate, green tea,
10. Li Y, Wen S, Kota BP, et al. Punica granatum
CoQ10, lactoferrin, aloe Vera, folic acid, and
flower extract, a potent alpha-glucosidase
xylitol, these modern dentifrices have improved
inhibitor, improves postprandial hyperglycemia in
the odds of winning the battle against dental
Zucker diabetic fatty rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005
degradation and related systemic illnesses.
Jun 3;99(2):239-44.
11. DiSilvestro R, DiSilvestro D, DiSilvestro D.
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