title: Identification of longevity, fertility and growth-promoting properties of pomegranate in Caenorhabditis elegans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is commonly consumed as fresh fruit and fruit juice. It is also used in the production of jam, wine, food coloring agent, and flavor enhancer.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to identify the possible longevity, fertility and growth promoting properties of different ethanolic extract concentrations of pomegranate in Caenorhabditis elegans, which is increasingly popular and has proven to be a very useful experimental model organism for aging studies as well as for testing antioxidants and other compounds for effects on longevity.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, five experimental groups (20, 10, 5, 2.5 and 1.25 mg pomegranate extract/mL and one control group) were used to determine the most effective dose of pomegranate in terms of longevity, fertility and growth parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was seen that, pomegranate extracts up to the concentration of 5 mg/mL, had the potential to promote for the longevity, formation of new generations, fertility of new generations and growth properties of C. elegans although higher concentrations significantly reduced these parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  these findings indicated that pomegranate could be used as a supplement to enhance longevity, fertility and growth rate for the other living organisms and human beings, but the dose should be carefully adjusted to avoid adverse effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetic, School of Health, Erzincan University, 24100, Erzincan, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kılıçgün
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Istanbul University Faculty of Science, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nazlı
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arda
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Istanbul University Faculty of Science, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Evren Önay
authors.initials: EÖ
authors.lastname: Uçar
keywords: Caenorhabditis elegans; fertility; growth; longevity; pomegranate
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