<i>Punica protopunica</i> Balf., the Forgotten Sister of the Common Pomegranate (<i>Punica granatum</i> L.): Features and Medicinal Properties—A Review
José Antonio Guerrero-Solano,
Osmar Antonio Jaramillo-Morales,
Tania Jiménez-Cabrera,
Thania Alejandra Urrutia-Hernández,
Alejandro Chehue-Romero,
Elena G. Olvera-Hernández,
Mirandeli Bautista
Affiliations
José Antonio Guerrero-Solano
Academic Area of Pharmacy, Institute of Health Sciences, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, San Agustin Tlaxiaca, Hidalgo 42160, Mexico
Osmar Antonio Jaramillo-Morales
Department of Nursing and Obstetrics, Division of Life Sciences, University of Guanajuato, Ex Hacienda el Copal Km 9 Irapuato-Silao highway ap 311, Irapuato, Guanajuato 36500, Mexico
Tania Jiménez-Cabrera
Academic Area of Pharmacy, Institute of Health Sciences, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, San Agustin Tlaxiaca, Hidalgo 42160, Mexico
Thania Alejandra Urrutia-Hernández
Academic Area of Food Chemistry, Institute of Basic Sciences and Engineering, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, Pachuca-Tulancingo km 4.5 Carboneras, Pachuca de Soto, Hidalgo 42184, Mexico
Alejandro Chehue-Romero
Academic Area of Pharmacy, Institute of Health Sciences, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, San Agustin Tlaxiaca, Hidalgo 42160, Mexico
Elena G. Olvera-Hernández
Academic Area of Pharmacy, Institute of Health Sciences, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, San Agustin Tlaxiaca, Hidalgo 42160, Mexico
Mirandeli Bautista
Academic Area of Pharmacy, Institute of Health Sciences, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, San Agustin Tlaxiaca, Hidalgo 42160, Mexico
Punica protopunica Balf. is one of only two species housed by the Punica genera. Punica protopunica. Balf., known as Socotran pomegranate, is an endemic, isolated species found only in Socotra archipelago in the northwestern Indian Ocean, and is considered to be the ancestor of pomegranate. This review stems from the fact that in many Punica granatum L. articles, Punica protopunica Balf. is mentioned, but just in an informative way, without mentioning their taxonomic and genetic relationship and their medicinal properties. It is there where the need arises to know more about this forgotten species: “the other pomegranate tree.” A large part of the human population does not know of its existence, since only its “sister” has spread throughout the world. The present review deals with the taxonomy and origin of Punica protopunica Balf., the morphology of the tree, distribution, cultivation, vulnerability, and as well as its relationship with Punica granatum L. It also discusses its uses in traditional medicine, its antioxidant capacity, and the medicinal properties of this forgotten species.
