Register for Pomegranates shown to be effective for menopausal symptoms
MenopauseJuly 19, 2004
2004 JUL 19 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Ah! The pomegranate – the fruit of the gods. Women going through menopause may say, "Ah!" too, because researchers say pomegranate relieves adverse effects of menopause.
According to a study from Japan, "Pomegranate is known to contain estrogens (estradiol, estrone, and estriol) and show estrogenic activities in mice. In this study, we investigated whether pomegranate extract is effective on experimental menopausal syndrome in ovariectomized mice.
"Prolongation of the immobility time in forced swimming test, an index of depression, was measured 14 days after ovariectomy. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the tibia was measured by X-ray absorptiometry and the structure and metabolism of bone were also analyzed by bone histomorphometry," explained J. Moriokamoto and colleagues Saitama Prefectural University.
"Administration of pomegranate extract (juice and seed extract) for 2 weeks to ovariectomized mice prevented the loss of uterus weight and shortened the immobility time compared with 5% glucose-dosed mice (control).
"In addition," the scientists said, "ovariectomy-induced decrease of BMD was normalized by administration of the pomegranate extract. The bone volume and the trabecular number were significantly increased and the trabecular separation was decreased in the pomegranate-dosed group compared with the control group."
Moriokamoto's team noted, "Some histological bone formation/resorption parameters were significantly increased by ovariectomy but were normalized by administration of the pomegranate extract.
"These changes suggest that the pomegranate extract inhibits ovariectomy-stimulated bone turnover. It is thus conceivable that pomegranate is clinically effective on a depressive state and bone loss in menopausal syndrome in women," the researchers concluded (Pomegranate extract improves a depressive state and bone properties in menopausal syndrome model ovariectomized mice. J Ethnopharmacol, 2004;92(1):93-101).
Additional information can be obtained by contacting J. Moriokamoto, Saitama Prefectural University, School of Health & Social Service, Saitama 3438540, Japan.
The publisher of the Journal of Ethnopharmacology can be contacted at: Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd., Customer Relations Manager, Bay 15, Shannon Industrial Estate, Co. Clare, Ireland.
The information in this article comes under the major subject areas of Menopause, Alternative Therapies, and Women's Health This article was prepared by OBGYN & Reproduction Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2004, OBGYN & Reproduction Week via NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net.
©Copyright 2004, Cardiovascular Week via NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net
