Punica granatum

This study was designed to find the best method to separate
proanthocyanidins from other phenolic compounds extracted from
pomegranate’s peel and to investigate their radical scavenging
capacity. Water is used as an effective solvent for extracting
antioxidant compounds from pomegranate’s peel (Punica
granatum). The final extract contained closely related compounds
not readily separable. Proanthocyanidins are the most potent
antioxidant found in this extract and the purification and separation
from other phenolic compounds is an important challenge. A
comparison of two SPE cartridges, including silica-based C18 and
aminopropyl for the isolation and purification of proanthocyanidins
extracted from pomegranate’s peel, showed that the proposed SPE
method with aminopropyl cartridge using alkalized aqueous
acetone as eluent was more effective for the purification and the
separation of extractable proanthocyanidins.

Present control technologies of plant pathogenic fungi decouple the pathogen's life cycle mainly in two points of ontogeny, either by destroying spores prevent the infection or inhibit the biotrophic thallus, thus anticipating the formation of new infective propagules. Although, nowadays, the only tool for credible control of cultivated plants is the use of synthetic chemicals, the calculability of yield sureness has been worldwide threatened by the emergence of acquired tolerance to this group of pesticides as well as anxious feelings for their undesirable side effects. This situation urges the development of efficient alternative control agents, as threatening the net return even 10% disease incidence can cause economic loss. One approach to discover newer antimicrobial compounds is to search for their presence in natural sources exploiting the defense strategies of plants against their pathogens. Contrary to phytoalexins that are synthesized de novo after the plant is exposed to microbial attack, i.e., being produced in response of elicitors or stressors, the phytoanticipins are not formed in the tissue or released from preexisting plant constituents. These substances are plant antibiotics presented in tissue prior to infection, serving as the basis of pest tolerance. Several thousands of such molecules of different structure have been identified; however, few of them met practical application. In this chapter, we focus on constitutive mechanisms that might be used for controlling phy-topathogenic fungi with special regard to organic substances, which might serve either as botanical fungicides or as lead compounds for molecular design.

Medicinal plants are important source of antibacterial compounds. These plants contain secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, phenolics, terpenes and volatile oils The objective of this research was to determine the chemical composition of methanolic peel extract. The phytochemical compound screened by GC-MS method. Twentyseven bioactive phytochemical compounds were identified in the methanolic extract of Punica granatum. The identification of phytochemical compounds is based on the peak area, retention time molecular weight, molecular formula, MS Fragment-ions and Pharmacological actions. GC-MS analysis of Punica granatum revealed the existence of the 2H-Pyran,2,2´-[1,10-decanediylbis(oxy)]bis[tetrahydro-, 6-Oxa-bicyclo[3.1.0

(1) The correspondences between Ionic σίδη or σίβδη, Aeolic ξίμβᾱ, Doric (Cyrenaean) σίβδᾱ f. ‘pomegranate, Punica granatum L.’, Boeotian σίδᾱ f. ‘pomegranate (tree and fruit)’, also ‘a water plant, probably water-lilly, Nymphaea alba L.’, Attic σίδη f. ‘water-lily’, are carefully discussed in the paper. It is concluded that the words demonstrate certain Pre-Greek features, which cannot be treated as native.

(2) The comparison of Greek words for ‘pomegranate, Punica granatum L.’ (Gk. σίδᾱ, σίδη, σίβδᾱ, σίβδη, ξίμβᾱ f.) with Hittite GIŠšaddu(wa)- ‘a kind of fruit-tree’ indicates a possible borrowing of the Greek forms from an Anatolian source.

Il sito di Mezzocorona (in loc. Drei Cané) è stato frequentato per alcuni secoli a partire dall’età tardorepubblicana-antoniniana (50-20 a.C.-125/150 d.C.) fino a circa il 450/500 d.C. Gli edifici, a funzione residenziale e di servizio, sono stati più volte demoliti e ricostruiti, anche in seguito a un incendio parziale, avvenuto intorno al 285-310 d.C. Le analisi archeobotaniche hanno riguardato carboni e semi, soprattutto delle fasi di occupazione di età antoniniana-illirica e costantino-teodosiana. Tra i carboni sono documentate numerose specie spontanee e coltivate. Notevole il ritrovamento di carboni di melograno (Punica granatum), in livelli compresi tra il 125/150 d.C e il 285-306 d.C., e di larice, impiegato per la costruzione di un pavimento. La fascia forestale più sfruttata per l’approvvigionamento del legname è il querceto misto (la vegetazione della valle e dei versanti meno acclivi più bassi immediatamente prossimi al sito), seguita dal bosco di conifere (il pino è dominante su abete rosso e larice) e dalla faggeta. Tra i semi/frutti, largamente dominante è la vite (Vitis vinifera), ma sono documentati diversi cereali, legumi e altri frutti, insieme a infestanti, ruderali e specie prative. Il frumento comune sembra essere più consumato dell’orzo, più scarsi sono il farro e soprattutto il farricello. Il ruolo delle panicoidee non è chiaro. Le leguminose coltivate sono la lenticchia, il favino, l’ervo e forse la veccia. Per quanto riguarda la frutta, oltre alla coltivazione della vite, è documentata la raccolta/coltivazione di pesche, nocciole, more/lamponi e noci.

This article proposes an updated analysis of the spread of pomegranate cultivation (Punica granatum L.) throughout the central and western Mediterranean area interested by the Phoenician and Punic colonization. The scarcity of archaeobotanical data in some regions of this geographical context has often prevented archaeologists from reconstructing how and when the pomegranate spread; nevertheless, recent discoveries of plant remains (seeds and pollen principally) from important colonial settlements seem to throw new light on the Phoenician and Punic role in its diffusion.

The ethanol and hexane were used for extraction from Punica granatum seeds by maceration and soxhlet processes separately in order to evaluate the phytochemical constituents. The major chemical groups were analysed for their presence in the punicalgranatum seeds.

The study was aimed to study the efficacy of P. granatum ethyl
acetate  extract  against multi  drug  resistant  bacterial  strains and  to
characterize the compounds at tributing synergistic and antibacterial
potential  by  GC-MS  analysis.  Bacterial  strains  were  screened  for
antibiotic resistance by the disk diffusion method. Antibacterial and
synergistic activities of extract were explored by agar well diffusion
method and microdilution method respectively. Synergy testing was
carried  out  with  antibiotics  amikacin,  ampicillin,  ciprofloxacin,
erythromycin,  lincomycin,  nitrofurantoin,  tetracycline  and
trimethoprim. The extract was subjected to Gas chromatography and
Mass  spectroscopy  (GC-MS)  analysis  to  identify  the  bioactive
compounds responsible for the studied activity. All the test bacterial
strains were found to be multidrug resistant. Antibacterial studies
showed  that  the  ethyl  acetate  extract  exhibited  strong  antibacterial
activity  with  zone  of  inhibition  and  minimum  inhibitory
concentration  ranged  from  16-30  mm  and  1.87  to  15  mg/ml
respectively. The results of the synergistic studies revealed that good
synergistic  interaction  was  exhibited  by  the  combination  of  the
extract  and  antibiotic  lincomycin  and  tetracycline.  MICs  of
lincomycin  and  tetracycline  were  declined  from 150  to  5µg/ml  and
250  to  2.5µg/ml  in  combination  with  the  peel  extract.  GC-MS
revealed  the  presence  of  various  medicinally  significant
phytochemicals  like  Citronellol,  5-  Hydroxy  methyl  furfural  and
linoleic  acid  etc.  Synergistic  activity  of  P.  granatum  may  be
attributed  to  the  different mode  of  action  of  the  extract  from  the
antibiotics. The findings provide substantial basis for future use of P.
granatum ethyl acetate extract as potential antibacterial and antibiotic
modulating agent.

Abstract. In this study in vitro pollen viability and germination in intact pollens and pol-len tube growth in germinated pollens of five common pomegranate cultivars grown in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina was investigated first time. Pollen viability varied from 36.73 % (cv. Konjski Zub) to 51.80 % (cv. Barski) in fluorescent diacetat (FDA) test. The average pollen germination percentages were found as the lowest 6.83 % in cv. Kon-jski Zub and the highest 42.51 % in cv Glavas. Among the germination media in general 0.2 agar + 10 % sucrose+5 ppm H3BO3 gave better results to obtain higher pollen germina-tion for all cultivars. In germinated pollens of these five cultivars, significant differences were observed on pollen tube length. Average pollen tube lengths in germinated pollens of five cultivars were measured as minimum 302 μm in cv. Konjski Zub and as maximum 344 μm in cv. Ciparski. The results showed that there were obvious differences in pollen germinability among cultiva...

In the present study the leaves of Punica granatum were subjected to phytochemical screening and the impact of the leaf extract of Punica granatum was tested against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of various phytochemicals such as alkaloids, tannins, phenols, flavonoid and saponins. Agar disk diffusion method was employed to test the antibacterial activity and the result showed that the aquesous leaf extract of Punica granatum showed 100% inhibition against all the tested bacteria at varying concentration of extract. The Minimum Inhbitory Concentration (MIC) of Punica granatum aqueous leaf extract that showed 100% inhibition was 0.36 mg/ml, 0.13 mg/ml and 0.13 mg/ml in case of Bacullus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi respectively.

Aqueous (cold and hot) and methanolic extracts of the leaves of Guiera senegalensis were made and their efficacy studied in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyogenes . The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bacteriocidal concentration (MBC) of the extracts was determined using standard methods. Results obtained showed that all extracts inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli at all concentrations, while Streptococcus pyogenes was only inhibited at 250 and 200 mg/ml concentration on some of the extracts. The MICs of the different extracts ranges from 40 to 200 mg/ml, while the MBC gave a range of 20 to 200 mg/ml but varies from one isolate to the other. Phytochemical screening of the powdered form of the leaves of Guiera Senegalensis showed it to contain resins, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, glycosides and terpenes. This study shows that the leaf of Guiera Senegalensis p...

Objectives: Madhulai Manappagua well-known sastric and widely prescribed Siddha herbal syrup formulation indicated for treating Veluppu Noi (Anaemia especially Iron deficiency Anaemia) has been in day today practice in Tamil Nadu for a quite longer decades. The syrup is a herbal preparation which has a sweet pleasant odour and a palatable taste, contain the juice of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) as the main ingredient. Though the formulation is a fruit juice, the safety profile of the syrup is not established and is being marketed without toxicological evaluation. The study is aimed at ascertaining the acute and sub-acute toxicity assessment of Madhulai Manappagu in Wistar Albino rats. Methods: The acute and sub-acute (28day repeated oral) toxicity studies were performed as per the guidelines mentioned in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 423 (adopted on December 2001) and TG 407 (adopted on October 2008) with slight modifications respectively. For acute toxicity study, three female rats were randomly selected as control; three female rats were randomly selected and were administered a single dose of 5,000 mg/kg body weight per oral route. For subacute (28day repeated oral) toxicity studies, three doses of test drug MM of 500 mg/kg/day (low dose), 750 mg/kg/day (intermittent dose) and 1,000 mg/kg/day (high dose) were selected for administration. Both sexes of Wistar Albino rats were randomized into four groups of 10 animals each (five males, five females). Group I was kept as control group. Group II, III and IV served as low, intermittent and high doses of MM respectively. Animals were observed for mortality, morbidity, body weight changes, feed and water intake. Haematology, clinical biochemistry, electrolytes, gross pathology, relative organ weight and histopathological examination were performed. Results: In the acute toxicity study, rats showed no toxicological signs on behavior, gross pathology and body weight of rats when treated with a single dose of 5,000 mg/ kg body weight per oral route. In the subacute (28 days repeated oral) toxicity study, rats have showed no significant changes on behavior, gross pathology, body weight, and hematological and biochemical parameters when treated with Madhulai Manappagu in three different doses. Conclusions: The toxicity studies which include both acute and 28 days repeated (subacute) oral toxicity studies, revealed no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of Madhulai Manappagu in animals. Thus the safety of the drug in human usage was ensured.

In the present study the aqueous leaf extracts
of Swertia chirayita and Punica granatum were
analyzed for antidiabetic activity against
streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in albino
rats. The blood glucose level was recorded
before and after administration of drug. The
blood glucose levels of animals of group 4
was recorded before and after administration
of glibenclamide. The results pellucidly
revealed that the leaf extracts of Swertia
chirayita and Punica granatum act as
antidiabetic agent. The blood glucose levels in
Swertia chirayita and Punica granatum treated
diabetic rats were 250.62 � 2.35 mg/dl and
265.58 � 3.00 mg/dl on day 0, which
gradually decremented by the cessation of 21st
day to 86.5 � 2.85 mg/dl and 90.23 � 2.03
mg/dl respectively. Thus it can be concluded
that the aqueous leaf extracts of Swertia
chirayita and Punica granatum act as
antidiabetic agents, albeit their impact is less
efficacious as compared to the standard drug
glibenclamide, but their positive impact against
diabetes is a promising development, which
may become a substratum of future medicines
of plant inchoation for remedying diabetes.

Ethyl acetate extracts of Punica granatum were investigated for antitrypanosomal activities in Balb albino mice infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The plant extracts at 100mg/kg, 200kg/kg and 300mg/kg body weight were administered intraperitoneally twice daily for 7 days to determine their trypanocidal activity. Ethyl acetate extract had a lethal dose (LD50) of 900 mg/kg. Treatment commenced on day 8 post infection in all groups except the negatve control group. Parasitaemia and disappearance of clinical signs were used as indices for monitoring the efficacy of the extracts using the rapid
matching method. Mean survival time showed that mice treated with diminazene aceturate survived for 15 days. The group which was administered 200mg/kg ethyl acetate leaf extract of Punica granatum had the highest mean survival time(9 ± 2.94 days) than those that received 100mg/kg((8 ± 0.82 days) and 300mg/kg(6.75 ± 0.5 days). Packed cell volume of the mice
changed significantly (p<0.05) in the group which received 200mg/kg ethyl acetate extract of Punica granatum. This dose has promising trypanocidal activity in vivo against Trypanosoma brucei brucei.

Present control technologies of plant pathogenic fungi decouple the pathogen’s life cycle mainly in two points of ontogeny, either by destroying spores prevent the infection or inhibit the biotrophic thallus, thus anticipating the formation of new infective propagules. Although, nowadays, the only tool for credible control of cultivated plants is the use of synthetic chemicals, the calculability of yield sureness has been worldwide threatened by the emergence of acquired tolerance to this group of pesticides as well as anxious feelings for their undesirable side effects. This situation urges the development of efficient alternative control agents, as threatening the net return even 10% disease incidence can cause economic loss. One approach to discover newer antimicrobial compounds is to search for their presence in natural sources exploiting the defense strategies of plants against their pathogens. Contrary to phytoalexins that are synthesized de novo after the plant is exposed to microbial attack, i.e., being produced in response of elicitors or stressors, the phytoanticipins are not formed in the tissue or released from preexisting plant constituents. These substances are plant antibiotics presented in tissue prior to infection, serving as the basis of pest tolerance. Several thousands of such molecules of different structure have been identified; however, few of them met practical application. In this chapter, we focus on constitutive mechanisms that might be used for controlling phytopathogenic fungi with special regard to organic substances, which might serve either as botanical fungicides or as lead compounds for molecular design. Consequently, the introduction of alien phytoanticipins and precursors of phytoalexins into the proper host/parasite system can represent a prospective tool for disease management. We summarized the results and experiences of past three decades searching for candidates for biofungicides useful in pest management practices. The efficacy of over 100 plant species used as either spices or preparations in traditional medicine or culinary was demonstrated in vitro against 25 phytopathogenic fungi, and possible use of promising candidates was discussed.

Punica granatum L., locally known as romanzeira, is native to Asia but found throughout Brazil. P. granatum is used for treating inflammatory, infectious and respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chromatography and genotoxicity of an aqueous extract of P. granatum (pomegranate) fruit peel using the Allium cepa L. test. The experiment set-up entailed 7 treatments: T1-distilled water, T2-tea 5 g.L-1, T3-tea 10 g.L-1, T4-glyphosate at 9.6%, T5-glyphosate with subsequent recovery in distilled water, T6-glyphosate with subsequent recovery in tea 5 g.L-1 and T7–glyphosate with subsequent recovery in tea 10 g.L-1. The rootlets were collected and fixed in ethanol:acetic acid (3:1) for 24 hours, then stored in 70% ethanol under refrigeration. Analysis was performed using high performance liquid chromatography for the quantification of the extracted phenolic compounds. Gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, and rutin were abundant in the extracts of P. granatum. The extracts were found to exhibit antiproliferative potential but not antimutagenic or genotoxic activity.

The current treatment regimens based on chemotherapy for Human African Trypanosomiasis and Animal Trypanosomosis are limited, and are not ideal as they are often associated with severe side effects. The emergence of drug resistant parasites presents an additional and major problem. The urgent need for the development of new, cheap, safe, and easy-to-administer compounds for the treatment of these infectious diseases prompted this study. Three doses (20mg/kg, 40mg/kg,80mg/kg) of ethanolic extracts of the leaves of Punica granatum were screened for trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei in Balb Strain Albino mice. Parasitaemia and disappearance of clinical signs were used as parameters to monitor the efficacy of the extracts using the rapid matching method. Packed cell volume and weights of the mice were determined before and after treatment with extracts. Packed cell volume and Weight improved significantly (p<0.05) in the group which was admnistered 40 mg/kg ethanol extract when compared to the negative group. The LD50 value calculated for intra-peritoneal route of administration was 90mg/kg. The findings are indicative of the trypanocidal potential of Punica granatum in the
management of trypanosomosis."

Over the past decade, pomegranate (Punica granatum) is entitled as a wonder fruit because of its voluminous pharmacological properties. In 1830,P. granatumfruit was first recognized in United States Pharmacopeia; the Philadelphia edition introduced the rind of the fruit, the New York edition the bark of the root and further 1890 edition the stem bark was introduced. There are significant efforts and progress made in establishing the pharmacological mechanisms of peel (pericarp or rind) and the individual constituents responsible for them. This review provides an insight on the phytochemical components that contribute too antihyperglycemic, hepatoprotective, antihyperlipidemic effect, and numerous other effects of wonderful, economic, and eco-friendly pomegranate peel extract (PP).

Pomegranate plant that its homeland is Asia Minor is one of the oldest
cultivated agricultural products. Pomegranate finds the most common habitat between tropics 40º latitudes, in regions where Mediterranean rainfall regime to be effective, fields up to 1000 meters altitude from the coast. Respectively, the Mediterranean, Aegean and Southeast Anatolia are the regions producing the most amount of pomegranate in Turkey. In terms of provinces, Antalya, Mugla, Mersin and Adana are foremost in pomegranate farming. Until 2002 in Turkey approximately 50-60 thousand tons production were made using around 3 million pomegranate trees. In the period after 2003 ,established a new pomegranate orchards due to government support and favorable market conditions. By the year 2011, the number of the pomegranate
tree has exceeded 13 million and also the production reached 315 thousand tons by the end of 2012. In parallel with the increase in production it becomes a rapid increase in the exports of pomegranate and Turkey is one of the world's most pomegranate exporting countries. Pomegranate is a fruit that can be consumed as fresh, as well as pomegranate juice and pomegranate molasses are the most common application areas of it. Pomegranate that a engravings which in places of worship mentioned in the sacred boks and that have taken place in depicting and tables is a special fruit that gives its name to a variety of settlements.

Reliable protocol was developed to obtain healthy plants of imported (Indian) Punica granatum Linn. using in vitro germinated seedlings and juvenile explants. In vitro seed germination of imported seeds was induced on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of GA3. The best medium was found to be the MS medium supplemented with 5.0 mg/L GA3 and seed stratification induced the seed germination percentage and seedling height. Cotyledon, hypocotyle, internode and leaf explants were excised from in vitro germinated seedlings for calli induction. MS medium supplemented with 2.5 mg/L NAA and 3.0 mg/L BAP was found to be best medium for callus induction from cotyledons, 2.5 mg/L NAA and 4.0 mg/L BAP from hypocotyle, 1.5 mg/L NAA and 2.0 mg/L BAP from internode and 1.5 mg/L NAA and 3.0 mg/L BAP from leaf explants. Cotyledon explants showed the highest percentage of callus induction followed by internode, leaf and hypocotyle explants. MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L NAA and 3.0 mg/L BAP was found to be the best medium for shoot regeneration from calli obtained from all types of explants. Highest shoot regeneration percentage was showed in cotyledon derived callus followed by hypocotyle, internode and leaf derived calli. For somatic embryogenesis leaf disc explants were taken from 45 days old P. granatum Linn. plantlets. MS medium supplemented with 500.0 mg/L L-Glutamine, 2.0 mg/L 2,4-D and 2.0 mg/L BAP was found to be the best medium for embryonic callus induction, MS medium with 500.0 mg/L L-Glutamine, 1.0 mg/L 2,4-D was found to be the most effective medium for embryonic callus formation. The treatment with 0.25 mg/L BAP, 500.0 mg/L Casein hydrolysate, 500.0 mg/L L-Glutamine and 30.0 g/L sucrose under dark conditions gave the highest percentage of matured embryonic callus.

The study was aimed to study the efficacy of P. granatum ethyl acetate extract against multi drug resistant bacterial strains and to characterize the compounds at tributing synergistic and antibacterial potential by GC-MS analysis. Bacterial strains were screened for antibiotic resistance by the disk diffusion method. Antibacterial and synergistic activities of extract were explored by agar well diffusion method and microdilution method respectively. Synergy testing was carried out with antibiotics amikacin, ampicillin , ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, lincomycin, nitrofurantoin, tetracycline and trimethoprim. The extract was subjected to Gas chromatography and Mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis to identify the bioactive compounds responsible for the studied activity. All the test bacterial strains were found to be multidrug resistant. Antibacterial studies showed that the ethyl acetate extract exhibited strong antibacterial activity with zone of inhibition and minimum inhibitory conce...

This study was designed to find the best method to separate proanthocyanidins from other phenolic compounds extracted from pomegranate’s peel and to investigate their radical scavenging capacity. Water is used as an effective solvent for extracting antioxidant compounds from pomegranate’s peel (Punica granatum). The final extract contained closely related compounds not readily separable. Proanthocyanidins are the most potent antioxidant found in this extract and the purification and separation from other phenolic compounds is an important challenge. A comparison of two SPE cartridges, including silica-based C18 and aminopropyl for the isolation and purification of proanthocyanidins extracted from pomegranate’s peel, showed that the proposed SPE method with aminopropyl cartridge using alkalized aqueous acetone as eluent was more effective for the purification and the separation of extractable proanthocyanidins.

Dementia is one of the age related mental problems and characteristic symptom of various neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease. This impairment probably is due to the vulnerability of the brain cells to increased oxidative stress during aging process. Many studies have shown that certain phenolic antioxidants attenuate neuronal cell death induced by oxidative stress. The present work was undertaken to assess the effect of ethanolic extract of Punica granatum seeds on cognitive performance of aged and scopolamine treated young mice using one trial step-down type passive avoidance and elevated plus maze task. Aged or scopolamine treated mice showed poor retention of memory in step-down type passive avoidance and in elevated plus maze task. Chronic administration (21 days) of Punica granatum extract and vitamin C significantly (p &lt; 0.05) reversed the age induced or scopolamine induced retention deficits in both the paradigms. Punica granatum extract also significa...

Present control technologies of plant pathogenic fungi decouple the pathogen's life cycle mainly in two points of ontogeny, either by destroying spores prevent the infection or inhibit the biotrophic thallus, thus anticipating the formation of new infective propagules. Although, nowadays, the only tool for credible control of cultivated plants is the use of synthetic chemicals, the calculability of yield sureness has been worldwide threatened by the emergence of acquired tolerance to this group of pesticides as well as anxious feelings for their undesirable side effects. This situation urges the development of efficient alternative control agents, as threatening the net return even 10% disease incidence can cause economic loss. One approach to discover newer antimicrobial compounds is to search for their presence in natural sources exploiting the defense strategies of plants against their pathogens. Contrary to phytoalexins that are synthesized de novo after the plant is exposed to microbial attack, i.e., being produced in response of elicitors or stressors, the phytoanticipins are not formed in the tissue or released from preexisting plant constituents. These substances are plant antibiotics presented in tissue prior to infection, serving as the basis of pest tolerance. Several thousands of such molecules of different structure have been identified; however, few of them met practical application. In this chapter, we focus on constitutive mechanisms that might be used for controlling phytopathogenic fungi with special regard to organic substances, which might serve either as botanical fungicides or as lead compounds for molecular design. Consequently, the introduction of alien phytoanticipins and precursors of phytoalexins into the proper host/ parasite system can represent a prospective tool for disease management. We summarized the results and experiences of past three decades searching for candidates for biofungicides useful in pest management practices. The efficacy of over 100 plant species used as either spices or preparations in traditional medicine or culinary was demonstrated in vitro against 25 phytopathogenic fungi, and possible use of promising candidates was discussed.

The plant Pomegranate (Punica granatum Linn.) selected for this study is native to the region of Eurasia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antitrypanosomal potential of the plant against Trypanosoma brucei brucei (T.b. brucei) and Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi). Similarly, the parasites used for this study have two entirely different modes of transmission that is Cyclical Transmission (T.b. brucei) and Mechanical Transmission (T. evansi). The chloroform extract of Punica granatum (P. granatum) was analysed in vitro for trypanocidal activity against T.b. brucei and T. evansi at concentrations of 100 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL, 25 mg/mL, 12.5 mg/mL and 6.25 mg/mL. The chloroform extracts of P. granatum had trypanocidal activity against T. evansi and was inactive against T.b. brucei. These findings suggest that the mode of transmission may have an effect on the parasite-drug reaction and the possible use of the chloroform extract of P. granatum in the management of trypanosomiasis due to T. evansi which may require further elucidation.