Molecular Evidence Confirms Anti-inflammatory Action of Pomegranate Juice

Researchers have found molecular evidence confirming that drinking pomegranate juice has beneficial anti-inflammatory action.

Investigators at Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH, USA) gave a group of laboratory rabbits a drink of pomegranate extract equivalent to about 175 ml of pomegranate juice. They then compared the effects of blood plasma samples, taken either before or after consumption of the pomegranate extract, on several in vitro and in vivo inflammation models.

They reported in the June 13, 2008, issue of the Journal of Inflammation that plasma samples collected after oral ingestion of the pomegranate extract inhibited the IL-1b-induced production of the prostaglandin PGE2 and of nitric oxide in tissue culture cells. These same plasma samples also inhibited both COX-1 and COX-2 enzyme activity in vitro, but the effect was more pronounced on the enzyme activity of COX-2 enzyme.

"The use of dietary nutrients or drugs based on them as an adjunct in the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions may benefit patients,” said senior author Dr. Tariq Haqqi, professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University. "Current treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs can have serious side effects following long-term use. Further research is needed, however, especially on the absorption of orally ingested substances into the blood.”


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