Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a tree of the Punicaceae family that is widespread all over the world
and has several types and therapeutic uses. The current study aimed to investigate the phytochemical
compounds by GC analysis and carried out physical characterization of the pomegranate seed oil
and its self-nanoemulsifying system. Then antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-lipase activities were
investigated for both.The pomegranate seed oil was extracted, and its self-nanoemulsifying system
was then prepared. Phytochemical compounds were analyzed by GC, and physical characterization
was established of the pomegranate seed oil and its self-nanoemulsifying system. Then antioxidant,
anti-diabetic, and anti-lipase activities were investigated for both.The GC–MS analysis revealed
that punicic acid, β-eleosteric acid, catalpic acid, α-eleosteric acid, and oleic acid were the most
predominant compounds in pomegranate seed oil. Other active compounds like linoleic acid, palmitic
acid, stearic acid, and α-linolenic acid were detected in trace percentages. The self-nanoemulsifying
system was prepared using various concentrations of surfactant (Tween 80), co-surfactant (Span 80),
and pomegranate seed oil. The selected formulation had a PDI of 0.229 ± 0.09 and a droplet size of
189.44 ± 2.1 nm. The free radical scavenging activity of pomegranate seed oil, the self-emulsifying
system, and Trolox was conducted using DPPH. The oil-self-nanoemulsifying system showed potent
antioxidant activity compared to Trolox. Also, pomegranate oil inhibited α-amylase with a weak IC50
value of 354.81 ± 2.3 μg/ml. The oil self-nanoemulsifying system showed potent activity compared
to acarbose and had a weaker IC50
value (616.59 ± 2.1 μg/ml) and a potent IC50
value (43.65 ± 1.9 μg/
ml) compared to orlistat.Pomegranate seed oil self-nanoemulsifying system could be applied in
the future for the preparation of possible oral medications for the prevention and treatment of
oxidative stress, diabetes, and obesity due to its high activity against free radical, amylase, and lipase
enzymes compared to pomegranate seed oil itself and the references used. This study reveals that
self-nanoemulsion systems can enhance oil drug formulations by improving pharmacokinetics and
pharmacodynamics, acting as drug reservoirs, and facilitating efficient oil release.

Title

Sci Rep

Publisher

Springer Nature

Publisher Country

Germany

Indexing

Thomson Reuters

Impact Factor

3.8

Publication Type

Both (Printed and Online)

Volume

14

Year

2024

Pages

18841