PhytoScience - Article

Pomegranate

 

Pomegranate; themany-seeded apple, or punica granatum by its official Latin name, originated in Persia and was cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region. Eventually it made its way to Africa, India, the Near East, southern Europe and America – brought by the Spanish in the 18th century. It is grown throughout the world and thrives in a climate of mild temperature and low humidity.

The Old Testament mentions pomegranates often; as a symbol of ornament on the robes of the high priests, as a representation of love “Let us go early to the vineyards… and if the pomegranates are in bloom…there I will give you my love” (Song of Songs 7:12).

It is one of the seven species of ancient Israel, “A land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey” (Deuteronomy 8:8). There is even speculation that the fruit leading to the banishment from the Garden of Eden was not an apple, but rather a pomegranate!

The allure of the pomegranate has captivated cultures throughout history. King Tut was buried with pomegranates to insure his safe passage to the next world. The Greeks attributed the arrival of winter to a long-winded tale about Persephone and her inability to resist the luscious pomegranate. The Chinese offer wedding gifts with images of pomegranates to promote a fruitful union. Understandably the fruit’s full round shape and multitude of seeds represents fertility and bounty. Jews honor the fruit by using it in the festive meals associated with Rosh Hashanah.

Pomegranates have proven health benefits. Folk medicine has long promoted uses for the juice, seeds and rinds in illnesses ranging from sore throats to dysentery. Current medical research is being conducted on the anti-oxidant and anti-viral qualities of pomegranates with the hope that its inherent properties may be helpful in treating various forms of cancer and heart disease.

The pomegranate has not escaped the eye of the beauty industry. Thanks to its astringent properties it has been used in soaps, shampoos, body scrubs and creams. There is talk that pomegranates might even offer anti-aging benefits!

Beyond all other facts surrounding this marvelous fruit, pomegranates taste great. The kernels of seed surrounded by flavorful scarlet flesh (arils) can be added to almost any dish. The seeds can be used as a garnish, dropped in a drink, extracted into juice or cooked into syrup. They can form an integral part of a dish’s composition or act as a sprinkle of color and a fresh burst of flavor.

At last, the world has become pomegranate savvy and this extraordinary food is claiming its rightful place on the table of man. We are pretty much obsessed with the pomegranate and have named a planet for it!

Proported Uses

  • Cancer treatment and prevention
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Coronary heart Disease
  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • Hyperlipidemia
  • Hypertension
  • HIV

Mechanism of Action

Several studies have indicated that pomegranate juice has antioxidant and antiatherosclerotic properties due to the presence of multiple polyphenols such as tannins, flavonols, anthocyanins and ellagic acid. Punicalagin, an ellagitannin, is the most abundant polyphenol that accounts for >50% of the antioxidant activity. Some commercial pomegranate juices are marketed with claims of higher antioxidant activity than green tea and red wine. However such effects could be due to colonic microflora metabolites and not the polyphenols present in the juice. Pomegranate extract can inhibit aromatase activity and decrease the endogenous synthesis of estrogen

Adverse Reactions

Reported: Pomegranate juice may increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis for patients on statin therapy possibly due to the inhibition of CYP 450 enzymes.
Diabetic patients should be careful because of the sugar content of pomegranate.No significant adverse effects were seen with daily consumption of 8 ounces of pomegranate juice in men for over two years.

Interactions

Studies in rats indicate that pomegranate juice may inhibit cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) activity similar to grapefruit juice. But a study in humans demonstrated that pomegranate juice did not alter clearance of intravenous or oral midazolam, whereas grapefruit juice is known to have this effect. Another study in rats showed that pomegranate juice inhibited CYP2C9 activity and increased tolbutamide bioavailability.

Clinical Summary

Pomegranate is a small fruit-bearing tree native to Asia but is cultivated in many parts of the world including the United States. The fruit juice extracted from the arils of the seeds is used in drinks and as a dietary supplement. Several studies have shown that pomegranate has antioxidant and antiatherosclerotic properties attributed to the presence of multiple polyphenols such as tannins, flavonols, anthocyanins and ellagic acid. Pomegranate juice has been shown to suppress inflammatory cell signaling, inhibit prostate tumor growth and lower serum PSA levels, and also inhibit aromatase activity, endogenous estrogen biosynthesis and breast cancer cell proliferation in vitro.

Consumption of pomegranate juice was found to benefit patients with carotid artery stenosis, in those with hypertension, and in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), but had no effect in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pomegranate juice appears to slow the rate of increase of PSA in men with high PSA levels. But such effect needs to be confirmed in large scale clinical trials. Adverse effects associated with use of pomegranate juice are rare. There is, however, a concern that pomegranate juice can inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes similar to grapefruit juice. But other studies yielded mixed results

References

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  2. Pantuck AJ, Leppert JT, Zomorodian N, et al. Phase II study of pomegranate juice for men with rising prostate-specific antigen following surgery or radiation for prostate cancer. Clin Cancer Res. Jul 1 2006;12(13):4018-4026.
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Disclaimer:
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Any product mentioned is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.