Pomegranate extract is gaining recognition for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. A recent study has shown that the ethanolic leaf extract of Punica granatum L in combination with gallic acid has anti-adipogenic and anti-inflammatory activity, making it a promising natural remedy for obesity-related inflammation.
Obesity is a global health problem that increases the risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Adipose tissue, commonly known as fat, produces various cytokines and chemokines, which contribute to inflammation and insulin resistance. Inflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are elevated in obese individuals and play a crucial role in the development of insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction.
The study aimed to investigate the effect of pomegranate extract and gallic acid on high-fat diet-induced obesity and inflammation in Wistar albino rats. The rats were divided into four groups: a control group fed with a standard diet, a group fed with a high-fat diet, a group fed with a high-fat diet supplemented with pomegranate extract, and a group fed with a high-fat diet supplemented with pomegranate extract and gallic acid.
After eight weeks, the rats fed with a high-fat diet showed a significant increase in body weight, adiposity, and inflammatory markers compared to the control group. However, the rats supplemented with pomegranate extract and gallic acid had lower body weight, adiposity, and inflammatory markers, indicating the potential of pomegranate extract in preventing obesity-related inflammation.
The study also found that pomegranate extract and gallic acid reduced the expression of genes involved in adipogenesis, the process of fat cell development. Adipogenic genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) were downregulated in the rats supplemented with pomegranate extract and gallic acid. This suggests that pomegranate extract can inhibit the formation of new fat cells, which can contribute to weight gain and inflammation.
Moreover, pomegranate extract and gallic acid increased the expression of genes involved in antioxidant defense, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Antioxidants protect the body from oxidative stress, which can damage cells and contribute to inflammation. Therefore, the increase in antioxidant gene expression suggests that pomegranate extract and gallic acid can protect against inflammation by reducing oxidative stress.
In conclusion, pomegranate extract and gallic acid have anti-adipogenic and anti-inflammatory activity in high-fat diet-induced obesity in Wistar albino rats. The study provides evidence of the potential of pomegranate extract as a natural remedy for obesity-related inflammation. Pomegranate extract can inhibit adipogenesis and increase antioxidant defense, which can prevent weight gain and reduce inflammation. The findings of this study suggest that pomegranate extract can be incorporated into the diet as a functional food to prevent and treat obesity-related inflammation.
