Variation of ursolic acid content in flowers of ten Iranian pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars.

BACKGROUND: Ursolic acid (UA) is an important bioactive component in many traditional medicinal plants including pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) flower. METHODS: This study presents the HPLC analysis of UA contents of ten cultivars of pomegranate flower grown in Iran. The UA contents of fallen flowers of pomegranate were given in each cultivar. RESULTS: Remarkable quantities of UA were found in ten cultivars of Iranian pomegranate flower evaluated (21.736 to 15.119 mg/g). Lower quantities of UA were determined in pomegranate fallen flowers (16.763 to 5.754 mg/g). CONCLUSION: UA values obtained from Iranian cultivars of pomegranate flowers are very significant when compared with other sources of UA. All of the analyzes suggested that the Iranian pomegranate flowers (including flowers on branches and fallen flowers) might be an excellent UA rich source.