Pomegranate Family

Punicacece (Lythracece) or Pomegranate Family.—Herbs (Cuphea), shrubs (Decadon) or low trees (Punica). Leaves either alternate, opposite (Punica) or whorled, simple, usually lanceolate to ovate, entire, often glandular and viscous. Inflorescence a raceme, spike. 

When not cultivated elsewhere, this family is found from southeastern Europe to the Himalayas. It is noted for the pomegranate, Punka granatum, known since biblical limes. This has long been known to be alkaloidal, and nine of 13 samples gave positive tests in this survey. 

The Piperidine Family. It was noted in section 3.2.1.2 that the piperidine ring is biosynthesized from the amino add lysine, and the example of coniine biosynthesis was given in that section. On the pathway to coniine (3.14), a highly toxic compound isolated from the hemlock tree is the ketone derivative 3.13 this happens to be the well-known alkaloid pelletierine, which is isolated from the pomegranate tree (Scheme 3.7). It has found use in the treatment of parasitic infections (called an anthelmintic agent). 

Punica alkaloids a group of piperidine alkaloids, originally isolated from the bark of the pomegranate tree (Punica granatum L., official drug Cortex grana-ti), and subsequently isolated from other plant families. Decoctions of the drug, or the isolated alkaloids. 

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