Development and Standardization of an Effervescent Granule Formulation of Pomegranate Peel Extract with Potential Antioxidant Activity

Free radicals are unstable compounds that can cause oxidative stress, which plays an important role in the development of degenerative diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders. Natural antioxidant compounds can help mitigate the negative impact of free radicals. Pomegranate peel has highly potent antioxidant activity, but its application in stable, effective, and pharmaceutical grade dosage forms requires improvement. This study aimed to develop, standardize, and optimize an effervescent granule formulation of pomegranate peel extract, and evaluate its antioxidant activity. Pomegranate peel extract was prepared by maceration in ethanol (70%). Phytochemical screening and standardization of the extract were done following standard procedures. Effervescence granules preparations of pomegranate peel extract was made in five formulas (Formula 1 – 5). The physical characteristics of the effervescence granules formulations were assessed based on relevant parameters to ensure that the resulting preparation is stable, effective, and easy to consume the antioxidant activity of the effervescence granules formulations was evaluated using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Formula 3 of the effervescent granule preparation of pomegranate peel extract showed the best physical characteristics, with optimal moisture content, flow rate and dissolution time. Furthermore, this formula exhibited strong antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 48.71 ± 0.42 µg/mL. Therefore, the effervescent granule formulation of pomegranate peel extract shows potential as an effective and practical pharmaceutical preparation, with strong antioxidant activity. However, more research is needed to assess its long-term stability.