Could Pomegranate Juice Help in the Control of Inflammatory Diseases?

Lynnette Ferguson,Francesca Danesi

doi:10.3390/nu9090958

Abstract

Fruits rich in polyphenols, such as pomegranates, have been shown to have health benefits relating to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Using data obtained from PubMed and Scopus, this article provides a brief overview of the therapeutic effects of pomegranate on chronic inflammatory diseases (CID) such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, and other inflammatory-associated conditions, with an emphasis on fruit-derived juices. Most studies regarding the effects of pomegranate juice have focused on its ability to treat prostate cancer, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. However, pomegranate juice has shown therapeutic potential for many other illnesses. For instance, a small number of human clinical trials have highlighted the positive effects of pomegranate juice and extract consumption on cardiovascular health. The beneficial effects of pomegranate components have also been observed in animal models for respiratory diseases, RA, neurodegenerative disease, and hyperlipidaemia. Furthermore, there exists strong evidence from rodent models suggesting that pomegranate juice can be used to effectively treat IBD, and as an anti-inflammatory agent to treat CID. The effects of pomegranate intake should be further investigated by conducting larger and more well-defined human trials.

Highlights

Inflammation is a complex biological response to tissue injury and infection
Activation in various subsets of immune cells, and anthocyanin delphinidin reduced inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis cells [66]. These results suggest that ET and other bioactive compounds present in pomegranate juice show anti-inflammatory effects in vitro, and that the mechanisms involved appear to be related to inactivation of NF-κB signalling
It is likely that the effects are due to the ingestion of pomegranate’s bioactive polyphenolic molecules

Summary

Introduction

Inflammation is a complex biological response to tissue injury and infection. Chronic inflammation has been shown to be involved in the onset and development of a range of disorders. (Figure 1), which aroused considerable interest in pomegranate fruit as a novel therapeutic within the. It This is widely thatdue pomegranate intake cancomposition provide significant health benefits, inconsistent This may, in part, be due to variability in the composition of the administered products. Several studies have suggested that pomegranate intake has positive effects on bloodThis pressure andbecardiovascular risk in inthe diabetic [8,9], obese hypertensive and inconsistent. Meta‐analysis of data from five prospective trials didhad not no findeffect a significant pressure [6,7] and cardiovascular risk in diabetic [8,9], obese [10,11], hypertensive and ischemic profiles a meta‐analysis of data from five(CRP). Conductedproducts—with a systematic review to provide overview of the evidence of the potential benefits of we pomegranate an emphasis on an fruit‐derived juices—on this. Of the potential benefits of pomegranate products—with an emphasis on fruit-derived juices—on this occurrence

Search Strategy

Discussion

Published research studies on the beneficial effects on Chronic

Findings Related to Pomegranate Products Consumption and CID in Humans

Study Design

Conclusions and Future Directions