Phytochemicals From Pomegranate Peel Can Help Fight Lung Cancer and COVID-19

Medical News: Scientists Discover the Healing Power of Pomegranate Peel
A new study has revealed that natural compounds found in pomegranate peel may have the potential to combat both lung cancer and COVID-19. Researchers from multiple institutions, including King Khalid University in Saudi Arabia and Era University in India, have examined the bioactive compounds in pomegranate peel and their effects on lung cancer cells while also investigating their ability to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The findings suggest that parts of this common fruit, often discarded as waste, could hold significant medicinal value.


Phytochemicals From Pomegranate Peel Can Help Fight Lung Cancer and COVID-19

This Medical News report focuses on the detailed findings of this study, highlighting how the peel of the pomegranate fruit contains compounds that may contribute to reducing lung cancer cell growth and potentially stopping the replication of the COVID-19 virus. The study applied laboratory experiments and computational analysis to assess these effects.
 
The Power of Pomegranate Peel
Pomegranate, scientifically known as Punica granatum, is widely known for its health benefits, but the peel of the fruit has often been overlooked. Researchers conducted a detailed analysis using a technique called gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which identified 19 different bioactive compounds in the pomegranate peel extract. These compounds were tested for their effects on human lung cancer cells (A549) and their ability to target key proteins involved in COVID-19 infection.
 
The 19 bioactive compounds identified in pomegranate peel extract include:
-4H-Pyran-4-one, 3-hydroxy-2-methyl
-4H-Pyran-4-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl
-2-Furancarboxaldehyde, 5-(hydroxymethyl)
-Tetradecanoic acid
-n-Hexadecanoic acid
-Oleic acid
-Ethyl oleate
-Stigmast-5-en-3-ol, (3.beta.)
-1-Amino-4-methylpiperazine
-5-Amino-5H-imidazole-4-carboxylic acid, ethyl ester
- 5-oxo-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate
-Cholesta-4,6-dien-3-ol, (3.beta.)
-Alpha-Tocopherol
-Stigmasta-5,22-dien-3-ol
-Hydroxychloroquine
-Ethyl linoleate
-Linoleic acid
-Phytol
-Gamma-sitosterol
 
The study found that pomegranate peel extract was able to stop the growth of lung cancer cells by causing programmed cell death, a process known as apoptosis. Additionally, the extract led to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which further contributed to the destruction of cancer cells. The compounds were also found to arrest the cancer cell cycle at a crucial phase, preventing further proliferation of cancer cells.
 
How Pomegranate Peel May Inhibit COVID-19
Beyond its anti-cancer properties, pomegranate peel extract was also tested against two critical proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus: the main protease (Mpro) and papain-like protease (PLpro). These proteins are essent ial for the virus to replicate and spread inside human cells. Computational analysis, known as molecular docking, showed that several compounds in the pomegranate peel had strong binding affinity to these viral proteins, meaning they could potentially interfere with the virus’s ability to function and replicate.
 
Further simulation studies confirmed that one compound, ethyl 5-oxo-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate, maintained a stable interaction with both Mpro and PLpro proteins over an extended period. This suggests that the compound could be effective in preventing the virus from spreading within the human body. The findings indicate that pomegranate peel contains naturally occurring substances that may work as dual-purpose agents - fighting lung cancer and reducing the severity of COVID-19.
 
Potential for Drug Development
Another key aspect of the study was determining whether the identified compounds could be developed into safe and effective drugs. Researchers assessed the drug-likeness of these phytochemicals, checking their safety profiles and toxicity potential. Encouragingly, most of the active compounds met standard drug safety criteria, showing no significant toxicity and adhering to parameters necessary for oral medication.
 
This means that, with further research and clinical trials, pomegranate peel extract or its key compounds could be developed into treatments that target lung cancer and COVID-19 simultaneously. This is particularly significant as both diseases have posed major challenges to global healthcare systems, and finding natural, easily available treatment options could be a game changer.
 
Study Limitations and Future Research
While these findings are promising, the researchers acknowledge that further studies are needed before pomegranate-based treatments can be used in medical settings. The current study was conducted in laboratory conditions using cultured lung cancer cells and computer simulations for viral inhibition. Future studies will need to test these compounds in animal models and eventually in human clinical trials to confirm their safety and effectiveness.
 
Additionally, researchers will need to determine the best method of delivering these compounds into the body, whether through direct consumption of pomegranate peel extract, isolated compounds, or new pharmaceutical formulations. They will also need to explore whether these compounds can work alongside existing treatments for lung cancer and COVID-19.
 
Conclusion
The discovery that pomegranate peel contains compounds that can fight lung cancer and potentially inhibit COVID-19 is an exciting breakthrough in natural medicine research. By arresting cancer cell growth, inducing cell death, and showing strong binding potential against the key viral proteins of SARS-CoV-2, pomegranate peel extract presents a promising avenue for future medical treatments. If further studies confirm these findings, this widely available fruit may become a powerful weapon in the fight against two of the most pressing health concerns in the world today.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12906-024-04738-1
 
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