Synergistic Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Cytotoxic Effects of Pomegranate and Raspberry Extracts: An In Vitro Study

The present study investigated the synergistic therapeutic potential of Punica granatum (pomegranate) and Rubus idaeus (raspberry) extracts, two polyphenol-rich botanicals known for their diverse pharmacological properties. Formulations prepared at ratios of ۱:۱ and ۱:۱۰ were systematically evaluated for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties using established in vitro models. Antioxidant activity, assessed by the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, revealed a concentration-dependent effect with a maximum inhibition of ۶۸.۱% for the ۱:۱ ratio and ۷۳.۹% for the ۱:۱۰ ratio at ۸۰۰ µg/mL, closely approaching that of the standard ascorbic acid. The anti-inflammatory activity, as determined by the BSA protein denaturation method, further confirmed significant inhibition comparable to diclofenac (۸۲.۴–۸۵.۹%), highlighting strong protective effects against protein denaturation-induced inflammation. However, neither formulation produced measurable antimicrobial activity against the tested oral pathogens (S. aureus, S. mutans, C. albicans, and A. flavus), suggesting limited efficacy under these conditions. Notably, both extracts displayed potent anticancer activity against KB oral carcinoma cells, with IC۵۰ values of ۶۶ µg/mL (۱:۱) and ۶۰ µg/mL (۱:۱۰), indicating enhanced cytotoxic effects through possible phytochemical synergy. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that combined P. granatum and R. idaeus extracts are promising natural therapeutic candidates, exhibiting notable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities, particularly in managing oral cancer.

کلیدواژه ها:

Punica granatum ، Rubus idaeus ، phytochemicals ، Antioxidant ، anti-inflammatory ، Cytotoxicity ، oral cancer ، Natural therapeutics