Gallic Acid Content and Antioxidant Activity of Pomegranate Peel Ethanol Extract

Abstract

Ethanol extract of Pomegranate peel is proven to have the ability to inhibit the proliferation of cervical cancer HeLa cells. It was reported that this extract contains ellagic acid, gallic acid, and punicalagin which are identified as major effectors of antitumor activity. Gallic acid has been demonstrated to have an antioxidant activity that can influence cancer cell proliferation. The aim of the study was to identify the gallic acid content in pomegranate peel ethanol extract and to measure its antioxidant. This study was an experimental study performed at the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory and Central Laboratory of Universitas Padjadjaran Bandung, Indonesia during September-December 2019. Gallic acid concentration was measured by using a high-performance liquid chromatography method (HPLC) and the antioxidant activity was measured by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The extract contained 616.97 mg/kg of gallic acid with an antioxidant activity of IC50 6.1 µg/mL. In conclusion, gallic acid has cytotoxic and antitumor effects from its ability to modulate antioxidant/pro-oxidant balance and inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, both gallic acid content and antioxidant activity parameters can be used as markers in pomegranate peel extract which shows activities that inhibit HeLa cell proliferation.