Safety and antioxidant activity of a pomegranate ellagitannin-enriched polyphenol dietary supplement in overweight individuals with increased waist size

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Safety and antioxidant activity of a pomegranate ellagitannin-enriched polyphenol dietary supplement in overweight individuals with increased waist size

Heber et al., 2007 | J Agric Food Chem | Rct

Citation

Heber David, Seeram Navindra P, ... Hill James O. Safety and antioxidant activity of a pomegranate ellagitannin-enriched polyphenol dietary supplement in overweight individuals with increased waist size. J Agric Food Chem. 2007-Nov-28;55(24):10050-4

Abstract

The consumption of pomegranate juice (PJ), a rich source of antioxidant polyphenols, has grown tremendously due to its reported health benefits. Pomegranate extracts, which incorporate the major antioxidants found in pomegranates, namely, ellagitannins, have been developed as botanical dietary supplements to provide an alternative convenient form for consuming the bioactive polyphenols found in PJ. Despite the commercial availability of pomegranate extract dietary supplements, there have been no studies evaluating their safety in human subjects. A pomegranate ellagitannin-enriched polyphenol extract (POMx) was prepared for dietary supplement use and evaluated in two pilot clinical studies. Study 1 was designed for safety assessment in 64 overweight individuals with increased waist size. The subjects consumed either one or two POMx capsules per day providing 710 mg (435 mg of gallic acid equivalents, GAEs) or 1420 mg (870 mg of GAEs) of extracts, respectively, and placebo (0 mg of GAEs). Safety laboratory determinations, including complete blood count (CBC), chemistry, and urinalysis, were made at each of three visits. Study 2 was designed for antioxidant activity assessment in 22 overweight subjects by administration of two POMx capsules per day providing 1000 mg (610 mg of GAEs) of extract versus baseline measurements. Measurement of antioxidant activity as evidenced by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in plasma were measured before and after POMx supplementation. There was evidence of antioxidant activity through a significant reduction in TBARS linked with cardiovascular disease risk. There were no serious adverse events in any subject studied at either site. These studies demonstrate the safety of a pomegranate ellagitannin-enriched polyphenol dietary supplement in humans and provide evidence of antioxidant activity in humans.

Key Findings

These studies demonstrate the safety of a pomegranate ellagitannin-enriched polyphenol dietary supplement in humans and provide evidence of antioxidant activity in humans.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population increased waist size
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antioxidants
  • Consumer Product Safety
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Flavonoids
  • Humans
  • Hydrolyzable Tannins
  • Lythraceae
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity
  • Phenols
  • Polyphenols
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: pomegranate

Provenance

  • PMID: 17966977
  • DOI: (not available)
  • PMCID: Not in PMC
  • Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09