title: Effects of pomegranate juice and extract polyphenols on platelet function.
abstract: Several studies have shown that polyphenols reduce cardiovascular accidents in high-risk patients; in particular, the inhibition of platelet function may be responsible for part of this benefit. This research studied the antiplatelet effect of Wonderful variety pomegranate (Punica granatum) products, which contain primarily hydrolyzed tannins such as ellagitannins. We have investigated in vitro the effects of treatment with either pomegranate juice (PJ) or the polyphenol-rich extract from pomegranate fruit (POMx) on platelet aggregation, calcium mobilization, thromboxane A(2) production, and hydrogen peroxide formation, induced by collagen and arachidonic acid. PJ and POMx reduce all the platelet responses studied. POMx showed a stronger action in reducing platelet activation; moreover, POMx is active at the concentration that it is possible to obtain after polyphenol-rich food intake (2 microM). These results demonstrated that the cardiovascular health benefits of pomegranate may in part be related to the ability of polyphenols to inhibit platelet function. In fact, PJ and pomegranate extract have similar effects at concentrations expected for normal intake.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mattiello
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Trifirò
authors.forename: Gloria Saccani
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Jotti
authors.forename: Fabio M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Pulcinelli
mesh_terms: D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000097:blood; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D003094:Collagen / Q000097:blood; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005638:Fruit; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000097:blood; D029561:Lythraceae / Q000737:chemistry; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059808:Polyphenols; D013928:Thromboxane A2 / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D028321:Plant Preparations; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D059808:Polyphenols; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D013928:Thromboxane A2; D003094:Collagen; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D002118:Calcium