Granatin B and punicalagin from Chinese herbal medicine pomegranate peels elicit reactive oxygen species-mediated apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in colorectal cancer cells

•Chinese medicine theory and network pharmacology analyses reveal anti-colorectal cancer potential of pomegranate peel compounds.•Granatin b and punicalagin fraction from pomegranate peels exhibits potent anti-colorectal cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-mucositis activities.•Granatin b and punicalagin fraction induces reactive oxygen species-mediated S-phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis against HT-29 colorectal cancer cells.•Granatin b and punicalagin fraction sensitizes HT-29 colorectal cancer cells to 5-FU-induced cell death and S-phase cell cycle arrest.