Pomegranate may benefit cardiovascular and kidney health.

Inflammation and oxidative stress are major components of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced renal (i.e. kidney) injury.  Pomegranate extract has been shown to decrease levels of serum creatinine, potassium, urea nitrogen, renal inflammation, and histological changes associated with I/R induced renal injury.  It can also increase creatinine clearance.  It furthermore demonstrated increased glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and reduced oxidative stress.  Therefore, pomegranate extract has the potential to preserve kidney function in the midst of I/R-induced renal injury.

Ureteral obstruction can also cause kidney damage.  A few causes are:

  • Enlarged prostate
  • Pregnancy, endometriosis, uterine prolapse
  • Scar tissue, cysts or tumors in the abdominal area
  • Gastrointestinal diseases such as Crohn’s, diverticulitis, or swollen appendix
  • Kidney stones that move to the ureter (known as ureteral stones)
  • Vascular diseases or blood clots
  • Genetic abnormalities

In the case of ureteral obstruction, pomegranate extract has been shown to reduce the damaging effects of ureteral obstruction by attenuating tubular necrosis, mononuclear cell infiltration and fibrosis, as well increasing nitric oxide.  Thus, pomegranate extract may prevent kidney damage from ureteral obstruction.

High blood pressure can also damage the kidneys.  Pomegranate extract has been shown to reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure, ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) activity, oxidative stress as well as vascular remodeling.  One of pomegranate’s constituents, Ellagic acid, also helps to relax blood vessels.  Additionally, pomegranate has demonstrated reductions in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio, and fasting blood sugar.

Pomegranate extract can be useful in helping to preserve kidney function and reduce blood pressure.

Are you seeking to naturally improve kidney function or reduce blood pressure?  If so, please visit the ‘Consultations’ tab of this website to schedule either a 15 min inquiry call or a consultation.

References:

Pomegranate extract ameliorates renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats via suppressing NF-κB pathway

Hum Exp Toxicol. 2021 Dec;40(12_suppl):S573-S582. Epub 2021 Nov 20.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34802289/

 

Pomegranate extract attenuates unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced renal damage by reducing oxidative stress

Urol Ann. 2015 Apr-Jun; 7(2): 166–171.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4374253/

 

Ureteral Obstruction

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21155-ureteral-obstruction#symptoms-and-causes

 

Vasculoprotective Effects of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)

Front Pharmacol. 2018; 9: 544.  Published online 2018 May 24.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5977444/

 

The effect of pomegranate extract on anthropometric indices, serum lipids, glycemic indicators, and blood pressure in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized double-blind clinical trial

Randomized Controlled Trial Phytother Res. 2021 Oct;35(10):5871-5882. Epub 2021 Sep 8.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34498307/