A 28 days randomized single-blind controlled study investigated the effect of daily intake of 210 mg punicalagin pomegranate extract (Pomanox® P30, Euromed S.A., Barcelona, Spain) or a placebo, on cardiovascular risk factors in 24 healthy volunteers. Pomanox® (PE) intake was associated with a marked enhancement of antioxidant activity (FRAP assay) after 14 and 28 days, with no significant changes in the placebo group. There was a strong correlation between urinary excretion of total phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity in urine samples. This suggested that total phenolics exertion can significantly contribute to most of the antioxidant capacity of the urine. At day 28, there were also statistically significant decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), an important benefit for cardiovascular health, and pulse wave velocity (PWV). Reductions in PWV may contribute to maintain healthy blood vessels and heart functions as we age. The mechanism by which PE consumption reduces BP, a property identified in previous studies with Pomanox® and other pomegranate products, could also be relate to polyphenols anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, enhancing the availability of the vasodilator nitric oxide (NO) thereby affecting endothelial system and potentially inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity (3).
Although changes in body mass index (BMI) were not observed, PE supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in the percentage body fat and fat mass in addition to a significant increase in lean body mass. These protective cardiovascular effects are noteworthy given the important endocrine function of adipose tissue and the adverse consequences of adipose tissue excess. Another recently published clinical study with Pomanox® (2) suggested 14 days intake of the extract promoted satiety and reduced food intake, corroborating Pomanox® potential application for weight management in different contexts.
Furthermore, the presence of urolithin A-glucuronide in urinary sample was detected at day 14 and 28 following PE intake. A statistically significant reduction in the morning salivary cortisol levels at day 28 was also found in the PE group, in parallel with a significant reduction of salivary cortisol/cortisone ratios. Urinary free cortisol exertion was significantly reduced at day 14 and day 28 following PE intake. Previous studies from the same group identified similar patterns with pomegranate extracts, leading to speculate that reductions in BP may likely mediated partly through the inhibition of 11-HSD 1 enzyme activity as evidenced by a reduction in cortisol/cortisone ratio (4).
This study provides further evidence that Pomanox® may holistically promote cardiovascular health. A larger clinical trial is currently being prepared.
- Al-Dujaili, E.A.S.; Casey, C.; Stockton, A. Antioxidants 2022, 11, 2124. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11112124
- Stockton, A.; Al-Dujaili, E.A.S. Foods 2022, 11, 2639.https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11172639
- Vilahur, G. et al.; Revista Española de Cardiología, Volume 68, Issue 3, March 2015, Pages 216-225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rec.2014.04.021
- Stockton, A. et al. EC Nutrition 2.4 (2015): 396-411.
