Standardized pomegranate extract may support ocular health, says recent study

Photo © iStockphoto.com/fotoadrenalina

A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Ophthalmology¹ suggests that a standardized pomegranate fruit extract called Pomanox, manufactured by Euromed (Barcelona, Spain), may offer anti-inflammatory benefits to support ocular health. In the in vitro study, researchers used a model of reconstituted human corneal epithelial to test the modulation of cytokines secretion activity of the pomegranate fruit extract. Specifically, they evaluated cell viability and inhibition of the release of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in four conditions: negative control, positive inflammatory control with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli, positive anti-inflammatory control (LPS plus dexamethasone), and LPS plus PMX after 24 h of culture.

Results showed that the pomegranate fruit extract exerted significantly higher inhibition of IL-8 compared to controls when inflammation was induced. The percentage of cell viability was also higher for the extract. Pomanox is standardized for punicalagins α + β 50% and ellagic acid 5%, both of which are known to exert anti-inflammatory properties in previous research.

“Despite pomegranate’s various benefits for overall wellbeing, there is limited data on how it can support eye health,” said Andrea Zangara, head of scientific communication and medical affairs and one of the study’s co-authors, in a press release. “So far, experimental studies have mostly examined the antioxidant activity and not the anti-inflammatory potential of Pomanox in corneal tissue samples. This latest study provides evidence of its possible use for eye health, which is promising. Considering the ageing population and increasing screen time embedded into our daily lives, vision health looks set to become one of the key concerns for consumers globally.”

Reference

Peñalver-Mellado, M.; Silva-Fuentes, F.; Villar, A.; Mula, A.; Zangara, A. In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Pomegranate Extract (Pomanox®) in a Reconstituted Human Corneal Epithelium Model. JCTO. 2023. 1 (2): 52-60. DOI: 10.3390/jcto1020007