The increasing popularity of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), driven by the awareness of its nutraceutical properties and excellent environmental adaptability, is promoting a global expansion of its production area. This investigation reports the variability in the weight, moisture, pH, total soluble solids, carbohydrates, organic acids, phenolic compounds, fatty acids, antioxidant activities, and element composition of different fruit parts (juices, peels, and kernels) from four (Ako, Emek, Kamel, and Wonderful One) of the most widely cultivated Israeli pomegranate varieties in Salento (South Italy). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic characterization of different fruit parts from pomegranate cultivars grown simultaneously in the same orchard and subjected to identical agronomic and environmental conditions. Significant genotype-dependent variability was observed for many of the investigated parameters, though without any correlation among fruit parts. The levels of phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids of all samples were higher than the literature-reported data, as was the antioxidant activity. This is likely due to positive interactions among genotypes, the environment, and good agricultural practices. This study also confirms that pomegranate kernels and peels are, respectively, rich sources of punicic acid and phenols together, with several other bioactive molecules. However, the variability in their levels emphasizes the need for further research to better exploit their agro-industrial potential and thereby increase juice-production chain sustainability. This study will help to assist breeders and growers to respond to consumer and industrial preferences and encourage the development of biorefinery strategies for the utilization of pomegranate by-products as nutraceuticals or value-added ingredients for custom-tailored supplemented foods.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has long been recognised for its rich antioxidant profile and potential health benefits. Recent research has expanded its therapeutic potential to include antiangiogenic properties, which are crucial for inhibiting the growth of tumours and other pathological conditions involving aberrant blood vessel formation. This review consolidates current findings on the antiangiogenic effects of pomegranate extracts. We explore the impact of pomegranate polyphenols, including ellagic acid, punicalagin, anthocyanins, punicic acid and bioactive polysaccharides on key angiogenesis-related pathways and endothelial cell function. Emphasis is placed on the effects of these extracts as phytocomplexes rather than isolated compounds. Additionally, we discuss the use of pomegranate by-products, such as peels and seeds, in the preparation of extracts within a green chemistry and circular economy framework, highlighting their value in enhancing extract efficacy and sustainability. By primarily reviewing in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies, we assess how these extracts modulate angiogenesis across various disease models and explore their potential as adjunctive therapies for cancer and other angiogenesis-driven disorders. This review also identifies existing knowledge gaps and proposes future research directions to fully elucidate the clinical utility of pomegranate extracts in therapeutic applications.

Numerous studies have reported the pharmacological effects exhibited by Dittrichia viscosa, (D. viscosa) including antioxidant, cytotoxic, antiproliferative, and anticancer properties. In our research, our primary objective was to validate a prescreening methodology aimed at identifying the fraction that demonstrates the most potent antiproliferative and anticancer effects. Specifically, we investigated the impact of various extract fractions on the cytoskeleton using a screening method involving transgenic plants. Tumors are inherently heterogeneous, and the components of the cytoskeleton, particularly tubulin, are considered a strategic target for antitumor agents. To take heterogeneity into account, we used different lines of colorectal cancer, specifically one of the most common cancers regardless of gender. In patients with metastasis, the effectiveness of chemotherapy has been limited by severe side effects and by the development of resistance. Additional therapies and antiproliferative molecules are therefore needed. In our study, we used colon-like cell lines characterized by the expression of gastrointestinal differentiation markers (such as the HT-29 cell line) and undifferentiated cell lines showing the positive regulation of epithelial–mesenchymal transition and TGFβ signatures (such as the DLD-1, SW480, and SW620 cell lines). We showed that all three of the D. viscosa extract fractions have an antiproliferative effect but the pre-screening on transgenic plants anticipated that the methanolic fraction may be the most promising, targeting the cytoskeleton specifically and possibly resulting in fewer side effects. Here, we show that the preliminary use of screening in transgenic plants expressing subcellular markers can significantly reduce costs and focus the advanced characterization only on the most promising therapeutic molecules.

Pomegranate marc is a major, underutilized juice industry by-product rich in lipophilic polyunsaturated fatty acids—notably conjugated α-linolenic acids (CLnAs)—and hydrophilic polyphenols with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Despite its potential for nutraceutical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications, this matrix remains largely unexploited. This study presents a novel, sequential in-line extraction strategy combining supercritical CO₂ (ScCO₂) and subcritical water (scW) to recover complementary bioactive fractions. Both extraction steps were optimized via Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Box–Behnken optimization of ScCO₂ (43 MPa, 76 °C, 6.4 L min⁻¹, 124 min) yielded 30 g kg⁻¹ dry weight (dw) of oleoresin, achieving a 68% recovery of total oil. Subsequent scW extraction was optimized at 149 °C, with a 40 L kg⁻¹ water-to-solute ratio and 73 min extraction time, yielding 47 g kg⁻¹ dw of total phenolics (58% recovery). Strong agreement between experimental and predicted values confirmed the robustness of the models. Comprehensive profiling revealed a diverse phytocomplex including fatty acids, tocopherols, flavonoids, soluble sugars, and polysaccharides. Antioxidant assays confirmed that both γ-tocopherol and polyphenols significantly contribute to the extracts’ bioactivity. To improve physical handling, the aqueous fractions were converted into solid dispersions via spray drying with maltodextrin. Preliminary in vitro biological assessments on HEK-293 (human embryonic kidney) and MCF-7 (Michigan Cancer Foundation-7) cell lines suggested that the maltodextrin-based formulations may modulate the cytotoxic profile compared to the free extract, with exploratory results showing dosage-dependent variations in cell viability across the two lines. This work suggests a potentially scalable and sustainable biorefinery approach for the integral valorisation of pomegranate marc, offering a basis for a pathway to produce solvent-free bioactives.

Landraces are considered a crucial component of biodiversity conservation, serving as a reservoir of genetic diversity. Consequently, the collection, cultivation, and detailed characterization of such landraces constitute an inherent aspect of the world’s natural resource heritage. This effort holds promise for the development of elite varieties capable of thriving amidst continuous global climate fluctuations. In this context, we conducted a comprehensive assessment of the main agronomic attributes, physico-chemical properties, and functional quality traits of the major hot pepper landraces adapted to diverse climatic conditions in Tunisia. These landraces include ‘Dhirat’, ‘Semmane’, ‘Beldi’, ‘Nabeul’, ‘Jerid’, ‘Mahdia’, ‘Cayenne’, ‘Kairouan’, and ‘Baklouti’. Most of the pepper landraces exhibited satisfactory yields, ranging from 1163.25 to 1841.67 g plant⁻¹ in ‘Jerid’ and ‘Kairouan’, respectively, indicating robust productivity, especially under prevailing climatic changes and high temperatures during both growing cycles. The levels of antioxidants comprising capsaicinoids, carotenoids, phenolics, and tocopherols, as well as radical scavenging activity, emerged as key discriminating factors among pungent pepper landraces. Irrespective of genotype, capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin constituted the major capsaicinoids, accounting for 44–91% of the total capsaicinoids content. Total capsaicinoids ranged from 1.81 µg g⁻¹ fw to 193.71 µg g⁻¹ fw, with ‘Baklouti’ and ‘Jerid’ identified as the most pungent landraces. Total carotenoids ranged from 45.94 µg g⁻¹ fw to 174.52 µg g⁻¹ fw, with ‘Semmane’ and ‘Jerid’ exhibiting the highest levels. Considerable variation was observed in β-carotene content, spanning from 3% to 24% of the total carotenoids. α-Tocopherol content ranged from 19.03 µg g⁻¹ fw in ‘Kairouan’ to 30.93 µg g⁻¹ fw in ‘Beldi’, exerting a notable influence on the overall tocopherol content. Conversely, the β- and γ-tocopherol isomers were detected at very low concentrations. The total vitamin C content ranged from 132 mg 100g⁻¹ fw in ‘Mahdia’ to 200 mg 100 g⁻¹ fw in ‘Nabeul’, indicating relatively low genetic variability. However, large variability was detected in total phenolics content, ranging from 168.58 mg GAE kg⁻¹ fw in ‘Beldi’ to 302.98 mg GAE kg⁻¹ fw in ‘Cayenne’. Landraces such as ‘Dhirat’, ‘Nabeul’, ‘Semmane’, ‘Kairouan’, ‘Cayenne’, and ‘Mahdia’ appear suitable for both fresh consumption and processing, owing to their favorable average fruit weight, soluble solids content, and bioactive content. Among the pepper landraces tested, ‘Cayenne’ achieved the highest value of radical scavenging activity in both hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions (RSAHF and RSALF), with variations ranging from 59% to 120% for RSAHF and from 4% to 63% for RSALF. This study aims to preserve and enhance the value of local genetic resources and contribute to identify desirable traits for incorporation into breeding programs to develop high-quality, high-yielding landraces and elite lines.