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Punica granatum (Pomegranate) Juice Provides an HIV-1 Entry Inhibitor and Candidate Topical Microbicide.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2005 November; 1056:311-27
The aim of this study was to look for phytochemicals in pomegranate with anti-HIV-1 activity. A selected complex from pomegranate was tested for inhibition of infection by primary HIV-1 isolates. The scientist found that HIV-1 entry inhibitors from pomegranate juice adsorb onto corn starch. This complex blocks virus from binding to specific cells and inhibits infection by primary virus clades. The obtained results suggest the possibility of producing an anti-HIV-1 microbicide from pomegranate juice.
Pomegranate juice sugar fraction reduces macrophage oxidative state, whereas white grape juice sugar fraction increases it.
Atherosclerosis, 2005 December
Pomegranate juice has antiatherogenic properties, attributed to its antioxidant phytochemicals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the complex sugars of pomegranate juice on macrophage oxidative state. The effect of the pomegranate sugars were compared to dose of white grape juice. The researchers found that the sugar fraction of pomegranate juice, but not that of white grape juice, decreases macrophage oxidative state. This effect could be caused by unique sugars or phenolic sugars in pomegranate juice.
Photochemopreventive Effect of Pomegranate Fruit Extract on UVA-mediated Activation of Cellular Pathways in Normal Human Epidermal Keratinocytes.
Photochemistry and Photobiology, 2005 June
Ultraviolet A is responsible for the formation of benign and malignant tumors. Pomegranate fruit extract contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals which could be used to treat human epidermal keratinocytes. The aim of this study was to determine if pomegranate fruit extract provides protection against Ultraviolet A mediated activation of signal transducers and activators of transcription. The obtained data suggest that pomegranate fruit extract reduces ultraviolet A induced damage by modulating cellular pathways.
Pomegranate flower extract diminishes cardiac fibrosis in Zucker diabetic fatty rats: modulation of cardiac endothelin-1 and nuclear factor-kappaB pathways.
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, 2005 December;46(6):856-62
Diabetes increases heart fibrosis resulting in increased risk for impaired cardiac function. Fibrosis formation is regulated endothelin -1 and nuclear factor-kappaB . This study showed that pomegranate flower extract improves hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and fatty heart in Zucker diabetic fatty rats. These rats are a genetic animal model of type 2 diabetes and obesity. The study concluded that pomegranate flower extract and its phytochemicals oleanolic acid, ursolic acid and gallic acid inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced nuclear factor-kappaB activation in macrophages and could reduce cardiac fibrosis in Zucker diabetic fatty rats.
Pomegranate juice supplementation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a 5-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2006 February;60(2):245-53
Antioxidants play a role in the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an pomegranate juice, which is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. For this study, 30 patients received pomegranate supplementation during 5 weeks in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The following parameters were measured: Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity of the pomegranate juice, 32 blood parameters, respiratory function variables, bioavailability of pomegranate juice polyphenols and urinary isoprostane. The researchers found no polyphenols from the pomegranate juice in the plasma or urine. The most abundant polyphenols in pomegranate juice, ellagitannins, were metabolized by gut bacteria derivatives with no antioxidant activity. No significant differences were found for any of the evaluated parameters. The researchers concluded pomegranate juice supplementation adds no additional benefit to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and that most antioxidants in pomegranate juice may be metabolized by gut flora.
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