Insights & Discussion
Synbiotic pomegranate juice (containing inulin and lactobacillus) can improve insulin resistance, reduce testosterone level, and aid weight loss in women suffering from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
In this randomized, controlled, triple-blind, parallel trial study, patients diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (92 in total) were grouped into four groups of 23. The three treatment groups received 2 litres of synbiotic pomegranate juice (SPJ), pomegranate juice (PJ), and a synbiotic beverage (SB) on a weekly basis. The control group was given a placebo beverage weekly. The primary focus of this trial was to observe any changes in insulin resistance, with secondary outcomes including fasting blood sugar, insulin sensitivity, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, body mass index, and waist and hip circumference comparisons, from baseline to the end of the trial.
After finishing the trial, analyses of the remaining 86 patients indicated noticeable improvement in insulin resistance, mainly in the SPJ and SB groups. The same groups also showed a significant increase in insulin sensitivity and an overall decrease in insulin. The SPJ and SB groups also saw significant reductions in body mass index, weight, and waist circumference. Lastly, there was a noteworthy decrease in testosterone levels within the SPJ and SB groups. However, no significant changes were found in fasting plasma glucose, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone in any of the groups.
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Pomegranate extract and its phytochemicals can potentially inhibit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) and improve gut microbiota, preventing obesity and diabetes.
2022 Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy Medicinal uses, pharmacological activities, phytochemistry, and the molecular mechanisms of Punica granatum L. (pomegranate) plant extracts: A review Maphetu N, Unuofin JO, Masuku NP, Olisah C, Lebelo SL
Review Article COVID-19 Gut Microbiota Obesity
The study employs the use of in silico molecular docking methodologies to demonstrate that extract from pomegranates and their phytochemicals can serve as inhibitors of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2's spike protein and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor contact. These findings are further reinforced by clinical trials which suggest that pomegranates can also alleviate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, dental infections, and symptoms of menopause.
This study has also identified numerous active compounds within pomegranates such as alkaloids, anthocyanidins, tannins, flavonoids, phenolics, proanthocyanidins, sterols, terpenes, terpenoids, xanthonoids, fatty acids, organic acids, lignans, saccharides, and vitamin C. This mixture of active compounds is believed to significantly contribute to the broad array of pharmacological activities identified within the pomegranate. This includes anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-malaria, anti-fibrotic, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial effects. The extract from this fruit improves gut microbiota which could potentially aid in the prevention of obesity and diabetes.
In women with polycystic ovary syndrome, cinnamon reduced insulin resistance and testosterone levels similar to metformin, and ginger decreased follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones.
2022 Frontiers in Nutrition A comparison of the effects of cinnamon, ginger, and metformin consumption on metabolic health, anthropometric indices, and sexual hormone levels in women with poly cystic ovary syndrome: A randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial Dastgheib M, Barati-Boldaji R, Bahrampour N, Taheri R, Borghei M, Amooee S, et al.
Randomised Controlled Trial Ceylon Cinnamon Cinnamon FSH
In the methodology of the study, 100 women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome were divided into four groups. Each group received a different treatment: cinnamon, ginger, metformin, or placebo. The dosage for these treatments was 500 mg, three times a day, administered over a period of 8 weeks. The participants' sex hormones, weight revelations, along with glycemic and lipid markers were monitored before and after this period. Several participants were disqualified because of unspecified factors, resulting in a final sample size of 83.
In terms of results, all groups saw a decrease in weight and body mass index. The metformin and cinnamon groups specifically had notably decreases in their insulin resistance, meaning that these treatments were effective in improving metabolic health. Additionally, the ginger group experienced a reduction in follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels unlike the other groups. Testosterone levels were lowered in the metformin and cinnamon groups, but no significant changes in dehydroepiandrosterone were observed in any of the groups. These results indicate the potential use of cinnamon and ginger as alternative treatments in managing polycystic ovary syndrome.
Green tea supplementation can significantly reduce body weight in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, hence potentially beneficial in its clinical management.
2022 Nutrition Research Green tea promotes weight loss in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: Systematic review and meta-analysis Colonetti L, Grande AJ, Toreti IR, Ceretta LB, da Rosa MI, Colonetti T
Meta-Analysis Body Weight Green Tea Obesity
The research carried out was a systematic review of randomized controlled trials that focused on women with polycystic ovary syndrome, examining the effects of green tea supplementation versus a placebo. Relevant studies were sourced from electronic databases such as MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE via Elsevier, Cochrane Library, LILACS via BVS, and Web of Science using specific terms related to the illness and green tea. Criteria for the evaluation included effects on body weight, fasting insulin, body mass index, body fat percentage, daily caloric intake, waist and hip circumference, and the waist/hip ratio.
Among the studies considered, there were a total of 169 women, with 85 allocated to the green tea group and 84 to the placebo group. It became apparent that there was a significant reduction in body weight for the group that received green tea supplementation. This leans towards the potential of green tea to be beneficial in the management of this syndrome.
Green tea extract could be considered a potential agent to attenuate PCOS complications mainly due to its effect on weight loss and glycemic levels.
2021 Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology A comprehensive insight into effects of green tea extract in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review Maleki V, Taheri E, Varshosaz P, Tabrizi FPF, Moludi J, Jafari-Vayghan H, et al.
Systematic Review Green Tea Obesity PCOS
Current evidence indicates that green tea extract (GTE) supplementation has potential beneficial effects on PCOS. Of 314 articles found in the search, four human studies and four animal studies were included. All studies in humans showed the effects of GTE on weight loss. GTE's effect on decreasing testosterone levels in humans and LH levels in animals were also reported. In addition, increases in FSH and progesterone levels in animal models were observed. Although GTE improved fasting blood sugar and insulin levels, the effect of GTE on inflammatory parameters, such as TNF-alpha and IL-6 and antioxidant status, was limited to animal studies.
Pomegranate extract supplement shows potential in improving glycemic indicators, serum lipids, anthropometrics, and blood pressure in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
2021 Phytotherapy Research 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 Goodarzi R, Jafarirad S, Mohammadtaghvaei N, Dastoorpoor M, Alavinejad P
Randomised Controlled Trial Blood Sugar Cholesterol Diastolic Blood Pressure
The study involved 44 patients who had been diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. These individuals were randomly assigned to two groups, with one group receiving two pomegranate extract tablets daily over a period of 12 weeks, and the other a placebo. The researchers measured anthropometric values, serum lipid levels, blood pressure, and glycemic indicators before and after the intervention.
In their analysis of the outcomes, the researchers found that the group which received the pomegranate extract showed reductions in total cholesterol, triglyceride levels, the ratio of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, resistance to insulin, diastolic blood pressure, weight, body mass index, and waist circumference when compared to the placebo group. Additionally, an increase in serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was observed within the pomegranate group, indicating the potential utility of this supplement in a treatment regimen for this condition.
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