IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 13, Issue 8 Ver. IV (Aug. 2014), PP 29-34 www.iosrjournals.org www.iosrjournals.org 29 | Page Punica granatum (Pomegranate) fruit and its relevance in Oral Hygiene. Narayan T 1 , Deshpande S 2 , Jha A 3 , RamPrasad VP 4 1 Narayan Tanushree, BDS, Manipal College Of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, India. 2 Deshpande Sampada, BDS, Manipal College Of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, India. 3 Jha Ankit K, BDS, Manipal College Of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, India. 4 Ramprasad Vasthare VP, BDS, MDS, Reader, Department Of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College Of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, India. Abstract: Herbal mouthwashes have been considered to be a more advantageous option to their chemical counterparts, for a long time. Neem, Honey bee extract and Cranberry extract, among others, have had scientists actively researching their properties. However, having demonstrated significant medicinal uses from treating cancers to lowering heart disease, pomegranate extract is the newest talk of the dental community. This is mainly because of its active component, polyphenolic flavonoid that is believed to prevent gingivitis and basic plaque formation through its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties. Besides being able to exert considerable control over the levels of different enzymes in the oral cavity, the polyphenols are significantly active against notable oral bacteria like A. actinomycetemcomitans, S. aureus, P. intermedia and P. gingivalis. Through a series of laboratory tests and animal trials, the pomegranate extract has been shown to reduce the clinical signs associated with chronic, inflammatory periodontitis, among other indications such as treatment of oral ulcers. The aim of this systematic review is to propose pomegranate extract as an effective active ingredient in a mouthwash by describing the properties, significant trials and studies and past literature reviews that have marked it suitable for such a use. Key-words: Pomegranate, oral hygiene, Punica granatum, fruit, polyphenols I. Introduction A multitude of mouthwash products have arisen, since the early days, containing different active chemical ingredients. However, increasing awareness about the disadvantages of chemicals amongst the public has created an interest in pursuing herbal options. 1 Various herbal products such as Propolis 2 , Azadirachta indica 3 , Citrus paradisi 4 and Vaccinium oxycoccos 5 have shown significant advantages in reducing signs of gingival and periodontal inflammation. Punica granatum, too, being one of those, has shown to combat plaque by its anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The following review will discuss its ability to act as an effective agent in reducing plaque and its possible use in a mouthwash. II. Properties of the Pomegranate fruit Punica granatum is grown as a fruit crop or as an ornamental tree. The tree is mostly, drought-tolerant, and can be grown in dry areas. 6 It can tolerate moderate frost 7 and can grow up to sixteen ft. high. Its trunk is surrounded by a red-brown coloured bark which, with time, attains a grayish hue. Its branches are stiff and spiny 8 and its flowers are over an inch across, having five to eight petals bearing a fleshy calyx. 9 This fruit of nature has glossy leaves that are narrow and oblong in appearance. The peel contains bioactive compounds that include phenolics, flavonoids, proanthocyanidin compounds, 10 minerals such as potassium, nitrogen and sodium and complex polysaccharides. 11 Moreover, the edible part of the fruit consists of mostly arils and few seeds, in comparison. Each seed, which may range from 200-1000 in number, is surrounded by a pulp that may be white, purple or pink. 12 The seeds are a rich source of lipids. Its oil is characterized by a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as linolenic and linoleic acids and other lipids. 13 The seeds also constitute protein, fibres, vitamins, minerals, pectin and estrone, among others. 14 Arils, on the other hand, contain mostly water and a small amount of sugars, pectin, organic acid and bioactive compounds. 15 Several characteristics between the different pomegranate genotypes vary. The most important of these are its fruit size, exocarp colour (ranging from yellow to purple), aril colour, seed hardness, ripeness and juice components. 16