Anti-inflammatory Effects Of Pomegranate In Rabbit

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Anti-inflammatory Effects Of Pomegranate In Rabbits: A Potential

Treatment In Humans?

ScienceDaily (Jun. 18, 2008) — Oral ingestion of pomegranate extract

reduces the production of chemicals that cause inflammation suggests a

new study. The findings indicate that pomegranate extract may provide

humans with relief of chronic inflammatory conditions.

The group from the Department of Medicine of Case Western Reserve

University, Cleveland Ohio, led by Tariq Haqqi, showed that blood

samples collected from rabbits fed pomegranate extract inhibited

inflammation.

Pomegranate extract is already used as a treatment in alternative

medicine for inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis. Although

pomegranate extract has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions in

experiments on isolated tissues, it is not known whether ingestion of

it can produce the same anti-inflammatory effects in living systems,

either because the active compounds are not absorbed from the gut or

because the levels of these compounds in the blood are not high enough.

Pomegranate extract, the equivalent of 175mls of pomegranate juice, was

given to rabbits orally. The levels of antioxidants were measured in

blood samples obtained after drinking the pomegranate extract and

compared to blood samples collected before ingestion of pomegranate

extract.

Plasma collected from rabbits following ingestion of pomegranate

extract contained significantly higher levels of antioxidants than

samples collected before ingestion of pomegranate extract; the extract

also significantly reduced the activity of proteins that cause

inflammation, specifically cyclooxygenase-2. It also reduced the

production of pro-inflammatory compounds produced by cells isolated

from cartilage.

The results of this study indicate the beneficial effects of

pomegranate extract when ingested. According to Haqqi " the use of

dietary nutrients or drugs based on them as an adjunct in the treatment

of chronic inflammatory conditions may benefit patients " . He adds that,

" 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.