An HPLC fingerprint of pomegranate peel was established. Using chromatographic conditions, we compared the chemical composition of pomegranate peel, inside and seeds, and simultaneously determined the contents of gallic acid and ellagic acid. By comparison, we found that there were no significant differences between pomegranate peel and inside, but there was a big difference between pomegranate seeds and another two. The contents of gallic acid and ellagic acid of pomegranate peel respectively were 0.33%, 0.59%, while in pomegranate inside the result respectively were 0.52%, 0.38%. Content of ellagic acid from pomegranate seeds was only 0.01%. By study, we thought that when pomegranate peel was processed, pomegranate seeds should be removed, while pomegranate inside could be retained on the premise of full drying.
Ellagic Acid ; analysis ; Gallic Acid ; analysis ; Punicaceae ; chemistry ; Seeds ; chemistry

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether or not pomegranate extract can affect depression, anxiety, and food intake in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Seventy-nine female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: A, no operation and no drug intake; B, sham operation and distilled water; C, ovariectomy and distilled water; D, ovariectomy and 10% dilute pomegranate extract; E, ovariectomy and 20% dilute pomegranate extract; and F, ovariectomy and 40% dilute pomegranate extract. Beginning 2 days after surgery, drugs were administrated for 4 weeks. After that, the rats were subjected to the elevated plus maze (EPM) test and forced swim test (FST). RESULTS: The 10% pomegranate extract had a lower % closed arm entry frequency in the EPM test. A pomegranate dose-dependent decrease in the duration of immobility duration in FST was shown. Pomegranate did not reverse ovariectomy-related hyperphagia and weight gain. CONCLUSION: Pomegranate extract improved depression and anxiety in a postmenopausal model with ovariectomized rats.
Animals ; Anxiety ; Arm ; Depression ; Eating ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperphagia ; Ovariectomy ; Punicaceae ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Salicylamides

Aggressive angiomyxoma (AA) is a rare soft tissue tumor of undetermined etiology that occurs mainly in the female vulva and perineum. It has been demonstrated to increase in size under the estrogenic stimulation and shown to respond to treatment with a GnRH agonist. A 47-year-old woman was presented with a large vulvar mass. The mass had grown slowly before she took pomegranate seeds oil on a regular basis for a year, which is known to contain natural estrogen for a year. The almond-sized mass enlarged into a fetal head-sized one in a year. Our case is implying that external administration of estrogenic substance may be a contributory factor to the sudden accelerated growth of AA. Although the past medical history in this case relies on an unverified observation by the patient alone, the unique clinical course and impressive gross appearance of AA may help clinicians with diagnosis in practice.
Diagnosis ; Estrogens ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Myxoma* ; Perineum ; Punicaceae* ; Vulva ; Prunus dulcis

A pollen/food-associated syndrome (PFAS) has been described between peach and cypress pollen. Cross-reactive allergens were characterized which belong to the Gibberellin-regulated protein (GRP) family, BP14 in cypress pollen and Pru p 7 in peach. GRP are small cationic protein with anti-microbial properties. A patient suffering from a peach/cypress syndrome was explored clinically and biologically using 2 types of immunoglobulin E (IgE) multiarray microchip, immunoblots and a basophil activation test to assess the clinical relevance of various extracts and purified allergens from fruits or cypress pollen. In addition to PR10 sensitization, the patient showed specific IgE to Pru p 7, BP14 and allergen from pomegranate. These last 3 allergens and allergenic sources are able to induce ex vivo basophil activation characterized by the monitoring of the expression of CD63 and CD203c, both cell surface markers correlated with a basophil mediator release. Up to 100% of cells expressed CD203c at 50 ng/mL of BP14 protein. In contrast, snakin-1, a GRP from potato sharing 82% sequence identity with Pru p 7 did not activate patient's basophils. These results strongly suggest that, like Pru p 7, BP14 is a clinically relevant allergenic GRP from pollen. Allergen members of this newly described protein family are good candidates for PFAS where no cross-reactive allergens have been characterized.
Allergens ; Basophils ; Cupressus* ; Fruit ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Pollen* ; Prunus persica ; Punicaceae ; Solanum tuberosum

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether or not pomegranate extract can affect postmenopausal syndrome in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Seventy-nine female Sprague-Dawley rats were used: A, no intervention; B, sham operation and distilled water; C, ovariectomy and distilled water; D, ovariectomy and 10% dilute pomegranate; E, ovariectomy and 20% pomegranate; and F, ovariectomy and 40% pomegranate. The study samples were obtained 4 weeks later. The following parameters were investigated for analyses: the thickness of urogenital epithelium, tail skin temperature, serum levels of sex hormones, lipid profile, homocysteine, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. RESULTS: 20% pomegranate had a transient thickening effect of bladder epithelial layer. There was an intermittent lowering effect of tail skin temperature of pomegranate extract, however, it was not consistent. There were lowering effect in serum homocysteine and elevating effect in serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Pomegranate did not reverse post-ovariectomy reduced sex hormone levels. CONCLUSION: Pomegranate extract showed a tendency to reverse ovariectomy-related urothelial changes. Also pomegranate had a serum homocysteine-lowering effect.
Animals ; Epithelium ; Female ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Ovariectomy ; Punicaceae ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Salicylamides ; Skin Temperature ; Tail ; Thiobarbiturates ; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances ; Urinary Bladder

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the safety and effect of pomegranate extract on postmenopausal syndrome. METHODS: One hundred twelve women participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in a tertiary university hospital in Korea. Women were treated with pomegranate extract or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary end point was menopausal symptoms, which were evaluated based on the Kupperman Index. The secondary end point was the serum estradiol (E2, pg/ml) level. Statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: Menopausal symptoms as the Kupperman Index were significantly improved in the pomegranate group compared to placebo during the 12 weeks of intervention (P < 0.0001). Melancholia did not differ between the two groups. There was also no difference in serum E2 levels. There were no differences between the two groups in age, body weight, height, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, serum white and red blood cell counts, and fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin, aspartic transaminase, alanine transaminase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high- and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, creatinine, and E2 levels. The side effects of pomegranate extract were negligible. CONCLUSION: Pomegranate extract is safe and effective in the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Further studies on whether or not the beneficial effect of pomegranate extract is due to the estrogen component are needed.
Alanine Transaminase ; Blood Glucose ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Creatinine ; Depressive Disorder ; Erythrocyte Count ; Estradiol ; Estrogens ; Fasting ; Female ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Korea ; Punicaceae ; Triglycerides

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the safety and effect of pomegranate extract on postmenopausal syndrome. METHODS: One hundred twelve women participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in a tertiary university hospital in Korea. Women were treated with pomegranate extract or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary end point was menopausal symptoms, which were evaluated based on the Kupperman Index. The secondary end point was the serum estradiol (E2, pg/ml) level. Statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: Menopausal symptoms as the Kupperman Index were significantly improved in the pomegranate group compared to placebo during the 12 weeks of intervention (P < 0.0001). Melancholia did not differ between the two groups. There was also no difference in serum E2 levels. There were no differences between the two groups in age, body weight, height, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, serum white and red blood cell counts, and fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin, aspartic transaminase, alanine transaminase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high- and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, creatinine, and E2 levels. The side effects of pomegranate extract were negligible. CONCLUSION: Pomegranate extract is safe and effective in the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Further studies on whether or not the beneficial effect of pomegranate extract is due to the estrogen component are needed.
Alanine Transaminase ; Blood Glucose ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Creatinine ; Depressive Disorder ; Erythrocyte Count ; Estradiol ; Estrogens ; Fasting ; Female ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Korea ; Punicaceae ; Triglycerides

OBJECTIVETo establish the qualitative and quantitative methods of gallic acid in pomegranate rind.

METHODThe thin layer chromatographic method was used for identitication, and the high performance liquid chromatographic method was used for assay. Extracts were separated on a Diamonsil C18 column eluted with the mobile phase of a mixture of acetonitrile containing 0.2% methanol and water containing 0.1% phosphoric acid and 0.1% TEA (3:97). The detection wavelength was set at 216 nm, and colum temperature was 40 degrees C.

RESULTThe calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.085-0.768 microg (r = 0.9996). The average recovery was 96.7% (RSD 0.8%, n = 5). 20 batches of the crude drug were identified and assayed, with the methods.

CONCLUSIONThe methods were sensitive and reliable, and can be used for quality control of the pomegranate rind.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; methods ; Gallic Acid ; analysis ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Punicaceae ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results

We investigated whether the combination of phytochemicals and acetic acid in the form of fruit vinegar provides an additive effect on changes of mRNA levels related to fatty acid oxidation in human hepatocyte (HepG2). Among the seven fruit vinegars (Rubuscoreanus, Opuntia, blueberry, cherry, red ginseng, mulberry, and pomegranate) studied, treatment of HepG2 with pomegranate vinegar (PV) at concentrations containing 1 mM acetic acid showed the highest in vitro potentiating effect on the mRNA expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha, carnitinepalmitoyl transferase-1, and acyl-CoA oxidase compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Reversed-phase liquid chromatography in combination with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis revealed four potential compounds (punicalagin B, ellagic acid, and two unidentified compounds) responsible for altered gene expression in HepG2 cells treated with PV as compared with the others. Further investigations are warranted to determine if drinking PV beverages may help to maintain a healthy body weight in overweight subjects.
Acetic Acid ; Acyl-CoA Oxidase ; Beverages ; Blueberry Plant ; Body Weight ; Chromatography, Reverse-Phase ; Drinking ; Ellagic Acid ; Fruit ; Gene Expression ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatocytes ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry ; Morus ; Opuntia ; Overweight ; Panax ; PPAR alpha ; Prunus ; Punicaceae ; RNA, Messenger

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy disorder that is characterised by severe hypertension and increased risks of foetal and maternal mortality. The aetiology of PE not completely understood; however, maternal nutrition and oxidative stress play important roles in the development of hypertension. The treatment options for PE are currently limited to anti-hypertensive drugs. Punicalagin, a polyphenol present in pomegranate juice, has a range of bioactive properties. The effects of supplementation with punicalagin on angiogenesis and oxidative stress in pregnant rats with induced hypertension were investigated. The pregnant rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups (n=12 per group). Hypertension was induced using an oral dose of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 50 mg/kg/day) on days 14–19 of pregnancy. Punicalagin (25, 50 or 100 mg/kg) was given orally on days 14–21 of pregnancy. Punicalagin treatment at the tested doses significantly reduced diastolic, systolic, and mean arterial blood pressure in L-NAME treated rats from day 14. Punicalagin also restored angiogenic balance by increasing the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and downregulating vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1/fms-like tyrosine kinase-1. Punicalagin, significantly increased the placental nitric oxide levels as compared to PE group. The increased levels of oxidative stress in rats with PE were markedly decreased by treatment with punicalagin. Punicalagin at the tested doses markedly (p < 0.05) enhanced the placental antioxidant capacity in L-NAME-treated rats. The raised catalase activity observed following L-NAME induction was significantly (p < 0.05) and restored to normal activity levels in punicalagin treatment. Further, 100 mg dose of punicalagin exhibited higher protective effects as compared to lower doses of 25 and 50 mg. This study shows that supplementation with punicalagin decreased blood pressure and oxidative stress and restored angiogenic balance in pregnant rats with induced PE.
Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Pressure ; Catalase ; Female ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced* ; Maternal Mortality ; Models, Animal* ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; Nitric Oxide ; Oxidative Stress* ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Punicaceae ; Rats* ; Tyrosine ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A