Regular intake and regular consumption of pomegranate has many health benefits including reducing inflammation. Researchers are working on defining a standardized dose with the end result of developing a drug to prevent the neuro-inflammation related to dementia, which could slow the progression of the disease. In this study (in the slideshow), the effects of punicalagin on neuroinflammation in LPS-activated microglia were investigated in an animal model. Researchers are using this data to research whether a new drug derived from pomegranate is possible.

Regular consumption of pomegranate in a concentrate juice or supplement has unique health benefits related to reducing inflammation. Researchers are exploring the development of a drug based on research released in July 2014 on the effects of punicalagin (derived from pomegranate) on neuroinflammation. As presented in this slideshow, the animal study shows promise.

Ripe pomegranate close-upThe key breakthrough by University of Huddersfield scientist Dr Olumayokun Olajide, who specializes in the anti-inflammatory properties of natural products. and his co-researchers are working to demonstrate is that punicalagin, which is a polyphenol – a form of chemical compound – found in pomegranate fruit, can inhibit inflammation in specialised brain cells known as micrologia. This inflammation leads to the destruction of more and more brain cells, making the condition of Alzheimer’s sufferers progressively worse. There is still no cure for the disease, but the punicalagin in pomegranate could prevent it or slow down its development.

“Punicalagin inhibits neuroinflammation in LPS-activated rat primary microglia,” by A. Olumayokun A. Olajide, Asit Kumar, Ravikanth Velagapudi, Uchechukwu P. Okorji and Bernd L. Fiebich, published by Molecular Nutrition & Food Research.