Study: Pomegranate's Polyphenols Benefit Joint Health

NOBLESVILLE, Ind.According to a study published in the journal Chemico-Biological Interactions (doi: 10.1016/j.cbi.2013.06.018), a new mechanism of action for polyphenols from pomegranate fruit suggests potential benefits for joint care and beauty applications.

Results from the study showed that pomegranate polyphenols known as punicalagins were isolated from Pomella® pomegranate extract (from Verdure Sciences), and their effect on collagen protein and collagen-degrading enzymes (collagenases).

The study found punicalagins exhibited a multi-pronged protective effect on collagen by inhibiting the pro-inflammatory collagenases MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-13, while also stabilizing collagen protein through direct binding effects at multiple docking sites. In the study, punicalagins possessed greater collagen protection activity than ellagic acid, EGCG, quercetin or curcumin. Dose-dependent collagenase inhibition by punicalagins, but not ellagic acid, was also observed.

This study adds to scores of previous studies showing punicalagins to be the primary active components in pomegranate extracts and juices," said Blake Ebersole, technical director at Verdure Sciences. The finding that punicalagins protect collagen in multiple ways is a very interesting and unique finding, and shows promise for application in both joint and skincare products."

Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in joint cartilage and skin. The underlying cause of both osteoarthritis and skin aging is the degradation of collagen by collagenases.

The study was performed by Navindra Seeram, Ph.D. and colleagues at the University of Rhode Island. Previously published research by scientists at Texas A&M University (J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Sep 24;56(18):8434-41) showed that Pomella dose-dependently increased antioxidant activity and reduced collagenases in skin cells exposed to UV rays found in sunlight.