Bunnies, and Rabbits, and Hares, Oh My!

Studies conducted at the Department of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio have been testing the effects of pomegranate extract on laboratory rabbits. Since it is already known to relieve the pain of such conditions like arthritis, the researchers were hoping to see an improvement in general inflammation within the rabbits, which could then be applied to humans.

Each rabbit was orally given the equivalent of 175 milliliters of pomegranate through an extract following a collection of blood samples. Afterwards, a new round of blood was obtained in order to analyze any indications of possible inflammation relievers. The results were encouraging: the levels of antioxidants in the blood were much higher than they had been previous to the pomegranate extract treatment. Secondly, there were a diminished number of proteins, specifically cyclooxygenase-2, which are known to cause and heighten inflammation in the body. Lastly, the pomegranate extract was able to decrease the amount of pro-inflammatory compounds that were produced via cells isolated from the cartilage.

So what does this all mean for humans? Despite the encouraging results that pomegranate extract has the ability to be an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, the researchers still feel additional studies will be required in order to make it one-hundred percent safe for human ingestion and treatments.

“The use of dietary nutrients or drugs based on them as an adjunct in the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions may benefit patients". Said the team’s led researcher, Tariq Haqqi. "Current treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs can have serious side effects following long-term use. Further research is needed, however, especially on the absorption of orally ingested substances into the blood.”

While it will be important for studies to examine this issue, pomegranate extract as an alternative to prescription drugs is an encouraging prospect for natural medicine and healing. This is definitely a step in the right direction for the safe treatment of chronic inflammatory ailments.