title: Punica granatum: heuristic treatment for diabetes mellitus.
abstract: The current diabetes epidemic is a global concern with readily available effective therapies or preventative measures in demand. One natural product with such potential is the pomegranate (Punica granatum), with hypoglycemic activity noted from its flowers, seeds, and juice in canons of the traditional folk medicines of India. The mechanisms for such effects are largely unknown, though recent research suggests pomegranate flowers and juice may prevent diabetic sequelae via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma binding and nitric oxide production. Pomegranate compounds associated with antidiabetic effects include oleanolic, ursolic, and gallic acids. Pomegranate fractions and their active compounds hold potential and are worthy of further investigations as safe and effective medical treatments for diabetes mellitus and its pathological consequences.
authors.affiliation: Rimonest Ltd., Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Sarah Rachel
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.forename: Ephraim Philip
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Lansky
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants; D001628:Beverages; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D035264:Flowers / Q000737:chemistry; D005707:Gallic Acid / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D029561:Lythraceae / Q000737:chemistry; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D047495:PPAR gamma; D014315:Triterpenes; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D005707:Gallic Acid