Punicalagins

Punicalagins are tannins, large polyphenol compound which are isomers of 2,3-(S)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-4,6-(S,S)-gallagyl-D-glucose, hydrolysable tannins with a molecular weight of 1084. Punicalagins are the largest molecule found intact in rat plasma after oral ingestion [Cerda et al. Eur J Nutr. 2003 Jan;42(1):18-28. ] and were found to show no toxic effects in rats who were given a 6% diet of punicalagins for 37 days [Cerda et al. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2003, 51, 3493-3501] . Punicalagins are also found to be the major component responsible for pomegranate juice's antioxidant and health benefits [Gil et al. J Agric Food Chem 2000 48 (10) 4581-89] .

Punicalagins are known to hydrolyze into smaller polyphenols such as ellagic acid in vivo where one potential mechanism is hydrolysis across the mitochondrial membrane of cultured human colon cells. [Seeram et al. Clin Chim Acta. 2004 Oct;348(1-2):63-8. ] . [Larrosa et al. J Nutr Biochem. 2006 Sep;17(9):611-25. ]

A few dietary supplements and nutritional ingredients are available that contain extracts of whole pomegranate and/or are standardized to punicalagins, the marker compound of pomegranate. Extracts of pomegranate are also 'Generally Recognized As Safe' (GRAS) by the United States. It has been recommended to look for pomegranate ingredients that mimic the polyphenol ratio of the fruit, as potent synergistic effects have been observed in 'natural spectrum' extracts, especially pomegranate concentrate normalized to punicalagins [Seeram et al. J Nutr Biochemistry 2005 (16) 360-367.] .

A pomegranate extract standardized to punicalagins marketed under the name [Pomella] was found to absorb into the bloodstream after consumption in humans. A maximum 32% increase in plasma antioxidant status measured by ORAC was also noted in this study [Mertens-Talcott et al. J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Nov 15;54(23):8956-8961] .

References

[http://www.pomextract.com] Pomella