Sorbitol accumulation inhibitory activity of Punica granatum

Background: Sorbitol, also less commonly known as glucitol, is a sugar alcohol with a sweet taste metabolizesdslowly in human body. It is also called the sorbitol-aldose reductase pathway, the polyol pathway appears to be implicated in diabetic complications, especially in microvascular damage to the retina, kidney, and nerves. (Punicaceae-family; Punica granatum-botanical name). Pomegranate juice significantly decreases lipid peroxidation in patients with type 2 diabetes, and systolic blood pressure and serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity in hypertensive patients. Aim: To evaluate the sorbitol accumulation inhibitory activity of pomegranate extract (Punica granatum). Materials and Methods: Plant materials-Punica granatum extract used in the study was obtained from Green Chem Herbal extracts and formulations, Bengaluru, India. The method for extracting the above plant material was according to the methodology by Kesavanarayanan et al. 2013. Results: Punica granatum extract has markedly inhibited the sorbitol formation with an IC50 of 48.51μg/mL relative to standard ascorbic acid which showed IC50 of 37.77µg/ml. Conclusions: It is concluded that pomegranate extract is effective in inhibitory action of sorbitol accumulation in the body.