Pomegranate use to attenuate bone loss in major musculoskeletal diseases: an evidence-based review

This review explores the effects of pomegranate on the pathogenesis of bone loss in osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify the relevant studies on pomegranate and osteoporosis/osteoarthritis/rheumatoid arthritis. A comprehensive search was conducted in Medline and CINAHL for relevant studies published between the years 1946 to 2012. The main inclusion criteria were research articles published in English, studies had to report the association or effect of pomegranate and these bone and joint diseases: osteoporosis, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. The literature search identified 35 potentially relevant articles, whereby 8 met the inclusion criteria. Two animal studies, two combinations of animal and in vitro studies, three in vitro studies and one human study were included in this review. All the studies reported positive effects of pomegranate extract or juice on osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. This evidence-based review highlighted the potential of pomegranate extract being used for treating bone loss in osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Further studies are required to identify the active ingredients and molecular mechanisms before controlled human observational studies are conducted to provide stronger evidence.