Punicalagin
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Punicalagin is a dietary supplement with 9 published peer-reviewed studies involving 560 participants, researched for Antioxidant Activity, Anti-inflammatory Activity, Cardiovascular Health and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Antioxidant Activity
ModerateAnti-inflammatory Activity
ModerateCardiovascular Health
ModerateAnti-cancer Activity
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Antioxidant Activity
To characterize the antioxidant capacity of Punicalagin compared to vitamin C and other polyphenols
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To characterize the antioxidant capacity of Punicalagin compared to vitamin C and other polyphenols
Dose
Punicalagin 0.1-100 μM
Participants
Biochemical assay systems
Duration
Various
Results
Punicalagin exhibited exceptionally high antioxidant capacity, with ORAC value approximately 3-fold higher than vitamin C and significantly higher than other pomegranate polyphenols. Attributed to its large gallotannin structure.
How They Measured It
DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, ORAC assays, comparison with known antioxidants
To evaluate Punicalagin-rich pomegranate extract on oxidative stress in athletes
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate Punicalagin-rich pomegranate extract on oxidative stress in athletes
Dose
1000 mg pomegranate extract (standardized to 40% punicalagin) daily
Participants
50 endurance-trained male athletes
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Punicalagin-rich extract significantly attenuated exercise-induced increases in F2-isoprostanes and protein carbonyls. Plasma antioxidant capacity was significantly higher in treatment vs control group post-exercise.
How They Measured It
Plasma antioxidant capacity, exercise-induced oxidative stress markers (F2-isoprostanes, protein carbonyls), exercise performance
Anti-inflammatory Activity
To evaluate pomegranate extract (standardized to Punicalagin) on inflammatory biomarkers in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate pomegranate extract (standardized to Punicalagin) on inflammatory biomarkers in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Dose
1000 mg/day pomegranate extract standardized to punicalagin
Participants
80 patients with quiescent IBD
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Punicalagin-rich pomegranate extract significantly reduced fecal calprotectin (−38%), CRP (−24%), and TNF-α. Disease activity index improved, and fewer flare-ups were observed vs placebo group.
How They Measured It
CRP, fecal calprotectin, TNF-α, IL-6, disease activity index
To investigate anti-neuroinflammatory effects of Punicalagin in brain inflammation models
Study Type
In vitro and animal study
Purpose
To investigate anti-neuroinflammatory effects of Punicalagin in brain inflammation models
Dose
10-100 μM Punicalagin (in vitro), 50 mg/kg (animal)
Participants
BV-2 microglial cells and 20 mice
Duration
24 hours (in vitro), 7 days (animal)
Results
Punicalagin potently suppressed microglial activation, NF-κB signaling, and pro-inflammatory cytokine and NO production both in vitro and in an in vivo neuroinflammation model. Crosses the blood-brain barrier.
How They Measured It
Microglial NF-κB activation, COX-2, IL-6, TNF-α, NO production, LPS-induced neuroinflammation model
Cardiovascular Health
To evaluate Punicalagin-rich pomegranate juice on blood pressure and endothelial function
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate Punicalagin-rich pomegranate juice on blood pressure and endothelial function
Dose
240 mL pomegranate juice daily (high punicalagin)
Participants
58 adults with hypertension
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Pomegranate juice significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (−5% reduction), improved FMD (+2.6%), increased NO bioavailability, and inhibited ACE activity compared to placebo beverage.
How They Measured It
Systolic/diastolic BP, flow-mediated dilation (FMD), serum ACE activity, nitric oxide
To investigate anti-atherosclerotic effects of Punicalagin in ApoE knockout mice
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate anti-atherosclerotic effects of Punicalagin in ApoE knockout mice
Dose
0.15% dietary Punicalagin
Participants
20 ApoE-/- mice on Western diet
Duration
16 weeks
Results
Punicalagin supplementation significantly reduced aortic atherosclerotic lesion area (−43%), reduced macrophage foam cell accumulation, decreased LDL oxidation, and suppressed ICAM-1 expression in aortic endothelium.
How They Measured It
Aortic atherosclerotic lesion area, LDL oxidation, macrophage foam cells, ICAM-1 expression
Anti-cancer Activity
To evaluate Punicalagin anticancer activity against breast and colon cancer cells
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To evaluate Punicalagin anticancer activity against breast and colon cancer cells
Dose
10-100 μM Punicalagin
Participants
MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast, HCT116 colon cancer cell lines
Duration
72 hours
Results
Punicalagin inhibited proliferation of all tested cancer cell lines (IC50 range: 20-50 μM), induced apoptosis, arrested cell cycle at G2/M, and reduced MMP-9 expression to suppress invasive behavior.
How They Measured It
Cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, invasion, metalloproteinase (MMP) activity
To comprehensively review pharmacological activities of Punicalagin including anticancer effects
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To comprehensively review pharmacological activities of Punicalagin including anticancer effects
Dose
Various formulations
Participants
Review of 40+ studies
Duration
Various
Results
Punicalagin, the predominant ellagitannin in pomegranate, demonstrates potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and cardiovascular protective properties. Urolithin metabolites may mediate many long-term health effects.
How They Measured It
Systematic review of in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies
To evaluate Punicalagin for prevention of prostate cancer in a TRAMP mouse model
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To evaluate Punicalagin for prevention of prostate cancer in a TRAMP mouse model
Dose
0.2% dietary Punicalagin
Participants
24 TRAMP transgenic mice
Duration
20 weeks
Results
Punicalagin significantly reduced prostate tumor incidence, lowered PIN grade, decreased PSA levels, and suppressed androgen receptor signaling in the prostate of TRAMP mice compared to control diet.
How They Measured It
Tumor incidence, prostate weight, PSA, PIN (prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia) grade, androgen signaling
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Punicalagin research
There are currently 9 peer-reviewed studies on Punicalagin (Punicalagin), involving 560 total participants. Research covers Antioxidant activity, Anti-inflammatory activity, Cardiovascular health and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (9 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Punicalagin has been researched for: Antioxidant activity, Anti-inflammatory activity, Cardiovascular health, Anti-cancer activity. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 9 out of 9 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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