Consumption of hydrolyzable tannins-rich pomegranate extract suppresses inflammation and joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Objective-Although consumption of dietary supplements containing pomegranate extract by arthritis patients is on the rise, efficacy of such preparations in suppressing joint inflammation and damage is not known. The present study was designed to evaluate a standardized preparation of pomegranate extract (POMx) using collagen-induced arthritis in mice (CIA)-a widely used animal model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods-CIA susceptible DBA/1 mice were fed POMx by gavage before and after immunization with chicken type-II collagen (CII). Severity of clinical arthritis was scored using a visual scoring system. Arthritic joints were analyzed by histopathology and graded. Lysates were generated from mouse joints and the levels of anti-type-II collagen IgG and inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were quantified by ELISA. Effect of POMx on LPS-induced NO production was determined by Griess reaction and MAP kinase activation was studied by Western immunoblotting in mouse macrophages.Results-Consumption of POMx potently delayed the onset and reduced the incidence of CIA in mice. Severity of arthritis was also significantly lower in POMx -fed animals. Histopathology of the arthritic joints from POMx-fed mice demonstrated reduced joint infiltration by the inflammatory cells and the destruction of bone and cartilage were alleviated. Levels of IL-6 were significantly decreased in the joints of POMx-fed mice with CIA. In mouse macrophages, POMx abrogated multiple signal transduction pathways and downstream mediators implicated in RA pathogenesis.Conclusions-Our studies suggest that inhibition of a spectrum of signal transduction pathways and the downstream pathogenic cellular response by POMx or compounds derived from it may be a useful approach for the prevention of onset and severity of inflammatory arthritis.

Antibacterial Activity of Punica granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Peel Extract against Pathogenic and Drug Resistance Bacterial Strains

“…Antioxidant and antibacterial properties of pomegranate peel in in-vitro model systems have been reported (Negi and Jayaprakasha, 2003;Reddy et al, 2007;Opara et al, 2009;Alzoreky 2009). As the study says that Benzene extract of Pomegranate fruit peel can inhibit the population of both Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi respectively which is already shown by many scientist like Lansky, 2005;Al-Zoreky, 2009;Gould et al, 2009;Machado et al, 2003;Opara et al, 2008 in their study which was on antimicrobial activity of pomegranate has been documented with different extracts and the potential therapeutic applications of the antimicrobial properties of pomegranate components have been investigated in human and murine models (Jurenka, 2008;Basu, 2009;Aviram et al, 2008;Betanzos et al, 2011;Sumner et al, 2005;Rock et al, 2008;Rosenblat et al, 2006;Shukla et al, 2008). However, FPJ antimicrobial activity has not been explored in spite of its high content of antioxidants.…”

Inhibition of Antigen Trafficking through Scavenger Receptor A

“…Administration of tannic acid to mice, for example, has been demonstrated to suppress inflammation and joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis (19). Another study in mice demonstrated that tannic acid not only possesses its own scavenging activity of free radicals but the compound also directly acts upon and reduces negative effects of the cytochrome P450 pathway implicated in DNA mutagenesis and cancer (20).…”

Active Constituents of Pomegranates (Punica granatum) as Potential Candidates in the Management of Health through Modulation of Biological Activities

“…6 Consumption of pomegranate extract potently delayed the onset and reduced the incidence of collagen-induced arthritis and severity of arthritis was significantly lower in pomegranate extract fed animals. 7 In this review, we summarize the therapeutic role of pomegranate in the diseases managements based on in vitro and in vivo studies.…”