Pomegranate Compound Addresses Neuroinflammation

The pomegranate fruit is an abundant source of punicalagin – a potent polyphenol.  Previous studies suggest an anti-inflammatory effect of punicalagin.  Olumayokun Olajide, from the University of Huddersfield (United Kingdgom), and colleagues observe that punicalagin inhibits inflammation in the brain’s micrologia cells, in a lab animal model. This inflammation leads to the destruction of more and more brain cells, making the condition of Alzheimer’s sufferers progressively worse.  Observing that: “These results suggest that punicalagin inhibits neuroinflammation in … microglia through interference with NF-[kappa]B signalling,” the study authors submit that the data “suggest[s]its potential as a nutritional preventive strategy in neurodegenerative disorders.”