Punica granatum Linn. (Pomegranate) is a plant of
punicaceae family locally known as Anar. P.
granatum is a fruit of great antiquity and is known to
have been cultivated in the Middle East more than
5,000 years ago. The plant is found all over India
and Bangladesh. The fruit of this plant is used as
food and as a diet in convalescence after diarrhoea.
It is used in Siddha, Ayurvedha and Unani medicine
especially for the treatment of gastrointestinal
(GI) diseases. Dried, pulverized flower buds are
employed as a remedy for bronchitis. Traditionally,
it is also used in diarrhoea, dysentery and stomatitis
due to its strong astringent property (Ghani, 2003).
Different types of chemical compounds have been
isolated from different parts of the plant. Rind of P.
granatum is enriched with beta-carotene, potassium,