Punicalagin (Pyuni-cala-jen) is an ellagitannin, a type of phenolic compound. It is occurs as alpha and beta isomers in pomegranates (Punica granatum), Terminalia catappa, Terminalia myriocarpa, and in Combretum molle, the velvet bushwillow, a plant species found in South Africa. These three genera are all Myrtales and the last two are both Combretaceae.

Research

Punicalagins are water-soluble and hydrolyze into smaller phenolic compounds, such as ellagic acid.

In animal studies, no toxic effects were observed in rats fed a 6% diet containing punicalagins for 37 days. In laboratory research, punicalagins exhibited carbonic anhydrase inhibitory activity.

See also