J Korean Soc Menopause.  2010 Aug;16(2):99-106.

The Effect of Pomegranate on Postmenopausal Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University Medical Center, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. tkim@kumc.or.kr
  • 2Department of Family Medicine, Korea University Medical Center, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract


OBJECTIVES
To investigate the safety and effect of pomegranate extract on postmenopausal syndrome.
METHODS
One hundred twelve women participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in a tertiary university hospital in Korea. Women were treated with pomegranate extract or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary end point was menopausal symptoms, which were evaluated based on the Kupperman Index. The secondary end point was the serum estradiol (E2, pg/ml) level. Statistical analysis was performed.
RESULTS
Menopausal symptoms as the Kupperman Index were significantly improved in the pomegranate group compared to placebo during the 12 weeks of intervention (P < 0.0001). Melancholia did not differ between the two groups. There was also no difference in serum E2 levels. There were no differences between the two groups in age, body weight, height, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, serum white and red blood cell counts, and fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin, aspartic transaminase, alanine transaminase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high- and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, creatinine, and E2 levels. The side effects of pomegranate extract were negligible.
CONCLUSION
Pomegranate extract is safe and effective in the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Further studies on whether or not the beneficial effect of pomegranate extract is due to the estrogen component are needed.

Keyword

Pomegranate; Postmenopausal syndrome; Randomized controlled trial

MeSH Terms

Alanine Transaminase
Blood Glucose
Body Weight
Cholesterol
Creatinine
Depressive Disorder
Erythrocyte Count
Estradiol
Estrogens
Fasting
Female
Hemoglobins
Humans
Korea
Punicaceae
Triglycerides
Alanine Transaminase
Blood Glucose
Cholesterol
Creatinine
Estradiol
Estrogens
Hemoglobins
Triglycerides
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