Phytochemical profiling and biological activity assessment of aqueous extract from sweet pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit peels collected in the El Oued region, Algeria

In view of the scarcity of biochemical data on Punica granatum sweet fruit peel aqueous extract from El Oued, Algeria, this study aims to characterize its phytochemical profile, validate pharmacological utility, and enhance therapeutic valorization. Aqueous extraction was conducted by maceration. Phytochemicals were quantified using Folin-Ciocalteu (polyphenols), AlCl3 (flavonoids), and Vanillin-HCl (condensed tannins) assays. Antioxidant activity was assessed via DPPH, FRAP, and ?-carotene bleaching tests. Bacterial inhibition was investigated using the agar diffusion disc method. Wistar albino rats were subjected to an in vivo anti-inflammatory test. Their paw edema was induced by injecting carrageenan. The percentage of inhibition of inflammation was determined by measuring the %INH and %AUG. The extract contained substantial bioactive compounds: polyphenols (165.969?0.232 mg EGA/g Ex), flavonoids (37.455?0.781 mg EQ/g Ex), and tannins (4.282?0.268 mg EC/g Ex). Antioxidant potency was evident (DPPH IC50 = 31.043?0.888 ?g/mL; FRAP IC50 = 79.737?0.707 ?g/mL; ?-carotene RAA = 91.495?0.074 %). The antimicrobial testing demonstrated a considerable to moderate zone of inhibition for both Staphylococcus aureus (18?0.866 mm) and Bacillus subtilis (13?1.04 mm). Moderate results were seen for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14?1.323 mm) and Escherichia coli (10?1.155 mm) at a concentration of 80?g/mL, but no activity against Candida albicans was found. Oral administration to rats showed that the extract was safe, an acute toxicity was studied having been carried out. The results of the experiment indicated that inflammation in the paws due to the extract was significantly less in the treated rats than in the untreated. This reduction in inflammation was almost similar to that observed in those treated with diclofenac. These results support the value of sweet P. granatum fruit peels from El Oued, Algeria, for the development of health-related applications and indicate the need for further preclinical and clinical research.