Evidence supporting the use of: Punicalagin
For the health condition: Metabolic Syndrome
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Punicalagin is an ellagitannin polyphenol found primarily in pomegranate (Punica granatum) and is considered a major active compound responsible for many of pomegranate's health benefits. Regarding metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions including obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia—there is some emerging scientific evidence supporting punicalagin's potential benefits, though the evidence is not robust.
Preclinical studies (in vitro and animal models) suggest that punicalagin exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, improves lipid profiles, and enhances insulin sensitivity. For example, some rodent studies have shown that punicalagin supplementation can decrease blood glucose, improve lipid parameters, and reduce inflammatory markers associated with metabolic syndrome. Mechanistically, punicalagin is thought to modulate pathways involved in oxidative stress, inflammation (such as NF-κB signaling), and lipid metabolism.
Human evidence is limited and mostly indirect—often using pomegranate extracts or juice rather than isolated punicalagin. Some small clinical trials with pomegranate juice have reported improvements in blood pressure, lipid profiles, and markers of oxidative stress in individuals at risk for metabolic syndrome. However, these studies rarely isolate punicalagin's effects, making it difficult to attribute benefits solely to this compound.
In summary, while there is some scientific rationale and preliminary evidence (mainly from animal and in vitro studies) supporting punicalagin's use for metabolic syndrome, high-quality human trials focused specifically on punicalagin are lacking. Therefore, the current evidence can be rated as weak to moderate (score: 2).
Other ingredients used for Metabolic Syndrome
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)7-Keto-DHEA
Acai berry
Akkermansia muciniphila
algal oil
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
anchovies
anthocyanins
asparagus
bacillus subtilis
banaba
barley
berberine
Beta-Glucan
beta-sitosterol
bifidobacterium longum
bitter melon
black garlic
blueberry
brussel sprouts
butyrate triglyceride
campesterol
camu camu
canola oil
caterpillar mushroom
chia seed
chokeberry
chromium
cinnamon
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
turmeric
curcumin
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fisetin
flaxseed
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
ginger
glucomannan
guar gum
hydroxycitric acid
inulin
krill oil
l-carnitine
lactobacillus helveticus
licorice root
mackerel
maitake mushroom
maqui berry
matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
moringa
naringin
nicotinamide riboside
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-7 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
oyster mushroom
palmitoleic acid
quinoa
red yeast rice
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rye
sardines
spirulina
tocotrienols
trans-pterostilbene
Urolithin A
vanadium
vanadyl sulfate
vitamin C
vitamin D
wheat grass
whey protein
xylooligosaccharides
zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
Algae
kidney beans
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
1-deoxynojirimycin
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
12-methylcarnosic acid
3-desoxy-7-KETO-DHEA
4-hydroxyisoleucine
5,7-Dimethoxyflavone
6-Paradol
Alpha Glucans
Ankaflavin
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Antrodia camphorata
Auricularia
Antirrhinin
Avocado
Ascophyllum nodosum
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
anthocyanidins
Ampelopsin
Alpha phytosterol
Algal protein
Arabinoxylan
Alpha methyl Tetradecylthioacetic Acid
Arjunolic acid
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Blakeslea trispora
Bean
Betanin
Brazil nut
Charantin
California chia
Cardarine
Cyanobacteria
Capsinoids
Cyanidin
chlorogenic acid
Capsiate
Chitin-Glucan Complex
Calanus finmarchicus
Crocetin
Cynaropicrin
Cystoseira canariensis
corosolic acid
Crypthecodinium
Carnosic acid
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Dunaliella
Dihydrocapsiate
Dragon Fruit
Dihydrolipoic Acid
D-Pinitol
Diosgenin
Ergothioneine
Evodiamine
Ecklonia
Fucosterol
Foxtail millet
Fucoxanthin
Flavanols
Fructan
Ginsenosides
Glucan peptides
Galactooligosaccharides
Guanidinopropionic Acid (GPA )
Guggulsterones
Glucoraphanin
Garbanzo bean
Glucosinolates
Hydroxytyrosol
Isomaltulose
Isoalantolactone
Irvingia gabonensis
Konjac
Kamut
Lipstatin
Legume protein
Lentil
Lupin
Monacolin
Maslinic Acid
Mangiferin
Mulberroside A
Monounsaturated Fat
Momordicosides
Naringenin
Neoeriocitrin
Nobiletin
Oolong Tea
Oligosaccharides
Oleoylethanolamide
Phycocyanin
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone
Phlorizin
Phaeophyceae
Phytoplankton
Polychitosamine
Polysaccharides
Pinitol
Polydatin
punicalin
Polyunsaturated Fat
Pleurotus eryngii
Pu-Er Tea
Punicalagins
Palatinose
Punicic acid
peanut
Pistachio
Rebaudioside
Red miso
Schizochytrium Oil
Schizochytrium
Salmon Oil
Salidroside
Syringic acid
Salacia
Sesamolin
Sesamin
Sinensetin
Sulforaphane
Tagatose
Tetradecylthioacetic acid
Thylakoid
Tyrosol
Tangeretin
Tanshinone
Theaflavin
Theabrownin
Xanthohumol
Yacon
Other health conditions supported by Punicalagin
Alzheimer's DiseaseCancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Diabetes
Inflammation
Metabolic Syndrome
Triglycerides (high)