Please explain the cardiotonic action of Pomegranate

Pomegranate is the cheapest and easily available dietary fruit and many research studies have   proved that pomegranate reverses plaque buildup in the arterial walls. This fruit exhibit cardiotonic action primarily due to their rich content of polyphenols, which are antioxidants that help protect the heart from oxidative stress Pomegranates exhibit cardiotonic action primarily due to their rich content of polyphenols, which are antioxidants that help protect the heart from oxidative stress.

·      Pomegranates contain antioxidants that may help protect the heart from inflammation and oxidative stress, which are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

·      The polyphenols in pomegranates can protect LDL (bad cholesterol) from oxidation, which is crucial for maintaining heart health.

·      Pomegranates are loaded with bioactive compounds that can help prevent and manage cardiovascular diseases.

Incorporating pomegranates into your diet can be beneficial for heart health due to these properties.

Vernacular Names: Sanskrit-Dadim; English-Pomegranate; Hind-Anar; Bengali & Marathi-Dalimb; Punj-Daru; Gujrati-Dadam; Kannada-Dalimbay; Telugu-Dadima, Dalimba; Tamil-Madalai, Madalam; Malayalam -Madalam, French -Grenadier cultive; German -Granate baum.

Pomegranate is considered as an excellent tree for growing in arid zones for its resistance to drought conditions. It is now widely cultivated in Mediterranean, in tropical and subtropical areas. It 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 more arid regions of South-east Asia, the East Indies, and tropical Africa. Pomegranate plants require full sun, tolerate our alkaline soils, summer heat and winter lows to 10 degrees. The Pomegranate tree typically grows 12 to 16 feet, has many spiny branches. The leaves are glossy and spear shaped, and the bark of the tree turns gray as the tree ages. Heterozygous funnel shaped red flowers are characteristic to this plant and are found either in singles or in clusters of up to five, flowers are large, red and have tubular calyx that eventually becomes the fruit. The ripe Pomegranate fruit can be up to five inches wide with a deep red, leathery skin, is grenade-shaped, and crowned by the pointed calyx. The fruit contains many seeds separated by white,

membranous pericarp and each surrounded by small amounts of tart, red juice.

What are the pharmacological uses of pomegranate?

Pomegranate is considered as “a pharmacy unto itself” in Ayurvedic medicine and is used as an antiparasitic agent, a blood tonic, to heal ulcers, also possesses anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-viral, neuroprotective activity, hepatoprotective, reproductive function, anti-atherogenic effect, hypoglycemic and anti-glycemic effect. Along with this many researches have  proved that pomegranate can effectively be used in the treatment of prevention of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, dental conditions, stomach disorders, anemia, erectile dysfunction, bacterial infections, antibiotic resistance, and ultraviolet radiations-induced skin damage. Other potential applications include infant brain ischemia, male infertility, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, and obesity. Bhav Prakash has stated its use in Daha (burning sensation), Jwara (fever). And the pharmacological actions include Balya-Balapradam (providing strength), Medhya (brain tonic), Shukralam (having aphrodisiac effect), Hridya (cardiac tonic). This rich medicinal profile across multiple body systems earns it the reputation of being a self-contained source of remedies.

Pomegranate fruits are believed to be a potential source of natural phenolics that have been associated with reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Phytochemical analysis of Punica granatum indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, lignins, fats, and oils, inulin, cardiac glycosides, and carbohydrates. These classes of compounds were responsible for antioxidant and free radical scavenging effect of plant material. It also chelates iron and possesses reducing power. The beneficial pomegranate constituents are ellagic and gallic acid, ellagitannins, punicic  acid, flavonoids, anthocyanidins, anthocyanins and estrogenic flavanols and flavones.

Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants and have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, and can be eaten fresh, juiced, or incorporated into culinary dishes.

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