Therapeutic Effects of Punica granatum (Pomegranate): An Updated Review of Clinical Trials

Table 3

Summary of clinical trials using Punica granatum (pomegranate) in dermatologic disorders.

Striae distensae	Oil-in-water cream containing Punica granatum seed oil and Croton lechleri resin extract	20	Non-randomized study	Once daily on the hip area/6 weeks	Improvement of striae , dermis thickness, hydration and elasticity values.	[65]
Effects on skin biophysical parameters	(i) Fixed Polypodium leucotomos/pomegranate combination (PPmix®); (ii) Polypodium leucotomos alone (Fernblock®)	40	Double‐blind, RCT	480 mg daily/3 months	Fixed Polypodium leucotomos/pomegranate combination improved skin biophysical parameters more than Polypodium leucotomos alone in adult Caucasians.	[66]
Facial photodamage	(i) Vitaphenol skin cream containing green and white teas, mangosteen, and pomegranate extract; (ii) Placebo cream	20	RCT	Twice daily/60 days	Combination of three antioxidants had an additive efficacy in improvement of facial photodamage.	[67]
Ultraviolet-induced pigmentation	(i) High-dose POMx; (ii) Low-dose POMx; (iii) Placebo	37	Double‐blind, RCT	(i) 200 mg daily ellagic acid (2 tablets daily)/4 weeks; (ii) 100 mg daily ellagic acid (2 tablets daily)/4 weeks; (iii) 0 mg daily ellagic acid (2 tablets daily)/4 weeks	Orally ellagic acid-rich pomegranate extract had a protective effect against slight sunburn due to UV irradiation.	[68]
Skin erythema and melanin	(i) Topical microemulsion (O/W) of POMx; (ii) Placebo microemulsion (without extract)	11	Single-blinded, clinical study	At night on cheeks/12 weeks	Active microemulsion revealed a significant effect on skin erythema and melanin ().	[69]
UVB-induced erythema and changes the skin microbiome	(i) POMx; (ii) PJ; (iii) Placebo	74	Open-label RCT	(i) 1000 mg daily/12 weeks; (ii) 8 oz daily/12 weeks; (iii) 8 oz daily/12 weeks	Daily oral pomegranate intake can be helpful to protect against UVB-induced skin damage.	[70]
Diabetic foot ulceration	(i) Control; (ii) Punica granatum extract; (iii) Propolis extract	60	Pretest/posttest control quasi- experimental design	—	Punica granatum and Propolis are an effective extract to control the diabetic foot ulceration.	[71]
Non-healing chronic ulcer	2% (w/w) PGHF	1	Case study	Once a day/10 weeks	PGHF (an alternative agent in wound healing treatment).	[72]
Herpes zoster pain	Hot water extracts of a herbal formula containing Ganoderma lucidum and WTMCGEPP (Wisteria floribunda 0.38, Trapa natans 0.38, Myristica agrans 0.38, Coix lachryma-jobi 0.75, cultivated Ganoderma lucidum 0.75, Elfuinga applanata 0.38, tissue cultured Panax ginseng 0.3, and Punica granatum 0.38: numerals designate dry weight gram/dose)	5	Pilot clinical trial	Several doses daily	Increase in treatment response.	[73]
Dandruff	Antidandruff shampoo (Zinc-PCA and piroctone olamine in combination with Punica granatum L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Matricaria chamomilla L., Urtica dioica L., Mentha piperita L., and Salvia officinalis L. methanolic extracts)	30	Clinical trial	3 times a week/2 months	Reduction of dandruff with low side effects.	[74]