Rich in antioxidants and bioactive compounds like punicic acid, this oil demonstrates anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cardioprotective properties. Moreover, research suggests its promising role in promoting skin health, including wound healing, collagen regeneration, and anti-ageing effects, making it a valuable ingredient in cosmeceuticals.
The pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an ancient fruit that has been widely used in traditional medicine and has increasingly gained popularity among consumers in managing different facets of health. Pomegranate, a superfruit native to Israel and the Middle East, has gained widespread popularity as a functional food and nutraceutical source.
Pomegranate fruit can be processed into different food products like juice, nectars, jams, pomegranate fruit extract, peel extract and seed oil. Pomegranate fruit contains a high content of antioxidants. Fruit skin is the most used for medicine purposes, followed by seeds, and whole fruit. The food industry understands the value of seeds and seed meal cake, a by-product of seed oil cold pressing. Converted to powders, these seeds become a valuable source of nutrition – plant protein, dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals.
Health-promoting benefits of vegetable oils
To be able to have a better idea of the importance of vegetable oils including pomegranate seed oil, the next study is very important to mention.
In a study reviewing 39 vegetable and speciality seed oils, covering their chemical compositions, nutritional properties, and health-promoting benefits, seed oils rich in EFAs, also known as essential fatty acids, play an essential role in a healthy diet. EFAs are found in plant seed oils and animal-derived fats such as butter, shortening and lard. Adults need an appropriate amount of oil intake of 22–44 g/day depending on the number of calories required per day. The intake of vegetable oils from various sources has distinctive effects on human health including antioxidant activity, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, prevention of CVD, anti-obesity, diabetes treatment, kidney and liver protection, and other health effects.
These health benefits are ascribed to fatty acids, tocopherols, phytosterols, carotenoids, squalene, and phenolics content accordingly. The increasing attention given to the functional compounds in vegetable and specialty seed oils, oils and their correlations to human health effects in recent years is due to increasing public awareness.
This review reports that different types of vegetable and specialty have their specific advantages and functional nutritional properties; thus, appropriate vegetable and specialty oils need to be selected to meet individual needs accordingly. To clarify the functional substances’ correlation to the health benefits, based on the richness of each key component, the representative vegetable and specialty oils are summarized and recommended in Figure 1.
FIGURE 1 Key components of representative vegetable and specialty oils corresponding to their health benefits.
Adapted from: Tian M, Bai Y, Tian H, Zhao X. The Chemical Composition and Health-Promoting Benefits of Vegetable Oils—A Review. Molecules. 2023; 28(17):6393.1 https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28176393
Therefore, according to Figure 1, to prevent cardiovascular diseases, more unsaturated fatty acids and phytosterols should be supplied through the consumption of pomegranate seed oil, almond oil, flaxseed oil, rice bran oil, corn oil, or rapeseed oil. Similarly, considering diabetes prevention, more phenolics and FAs need to be incorporated through the intake of coconut oil, perilla seed oil, pomegranate seed oil, almond oil, or flaxseed oil1.
The production process of pomegranate seed oil
An important feature of the production of Pomegranate seed oils is method of the extraction. It has been proven that the best production method is cold pressing.
Pomegranate seeds are the richest source of this exotic, fruity aroma oil with healing and antioxidant potential for the skin. Pomegranate seed is extracted by various methods including organic solvent extraction, supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) extraction and cold press extraction. To preserve the valuable sterols, polyphenols, tocopherols, and octadecatrienoic acid (punicic acid), cold press extraction is preferred as it allows pomegranate seed oil to retain its physiochemical and nutritional qualities while being environmentally friendly.2
MediVegaTM oils start with a thorough, stringent green process. This cold press technology is powered by the sun – solar power, and creates zero waste reducing our ecological footprint. Produced oil is kept under appropriate conditions to prevent oxidation while preserving the oil’s natural benefits -vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and other phyto-actives.
Chemistry of Pomegranate Seed Oil
The Pomegranate seed oil has high phytosterol content and a unique fatty acid profile that includes punicic acid, a conjugated linolenic acid isomer. Results of the study (Kaufman & Wiesman 2007)3 showed linolenic acid to be the predominant fatty acid in the pomegranate seed oil. Phytosterols were found in quite a high concentration in the pomegranate seed oil (4089–6205 mg/kg), about 3−4-fold higher than in soybean oil. A detailed profile of the phytosterols in the pomegranate seed oil showed a wide variety, the major phytosterols being β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol3. The FDA and EFSA have approved the following health claim for phytosterols: foods containing at least 0.65 g per serving of plant sterol esters, eaten twice a day with meals for a daily total intake of at least 1.3 g, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.
The high sterol content may suggest the exploitation of PSO as a low-cost renewable source of phytosterols for industrial processing in the fields of cosmetics, drugs and nutraceuticals. Pomegranate seed may be a promising nutraceutical ingredient accounting for both its abundance and phytochemical quality4.
It is also a rich source of tocopherols, Vitamin C and carotenoids.
The potential of pomegranate seed oil in supporting healthy skin
The distinctive chemical makeup of Pomegranate seed oil has sparked research focused on its beneficial impacts, such as aiding in weight management, promoting skin healing, and modifying blood lipid profiles in people with hyperlipidemia.
Anthocyanins and the unique fatty acid profile of the seed oil may also play a role in pomegranate’s health effects.
As previously mentioned, pomegranate seed oil contains punicic acid, a conjugated linolenic acid which has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Punicic acid, a bioactive compound of pomegranate seed oil has gained wide attention for its therapeutic potential. Different studies conducted on animal and human models have revealed that punicic acid is very effective against various chronic diseases.
However, while the potential benefits of pomegranate seed oil for skin health are supported by research, the specific effects of consuming pomegranate seed oil on skin health have not been extensively studied. Further research is needed to fully understand the impact of pomegranate seed oil consumption on skin health. The oil also contains elevated amounts of tocopherols, such as α-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols, which are of technological and nutritional relevance and have antioxidant properties
These chemical attributes make Pomegranate seed oil a promising source of beneficial compounds for skin health. (Figure 2.)
FIGURE 2 Potential skin health benefits of Pomegranate seed oil; created by Scopus AI 19.02.2024.
Skin care studies
Skin care products containing pomegranate extracts and seed oil are increasingly available and promise rejuvenation, youthfulness, and beauty. However, research on the ability of pomegranate to act as an effective cosmeceutical ingredient is in the early stages of development.
In human cell cultures, pomegranate seed oil increased the number of keratinocytes increasing the thickness of the epidermis and pomegranate peel extract did not affect keratinocytes, but increased the number of fibroblasts in a dose-response fashion, indicating stimulation of dermal repair mechanisms5.
In this study, aqueous fractions prepared from the fruit’s peel and fermented juice and lipophilic fractions prepared from pomegranate seeds were examined for effects on human epidermal keratinocyte and human dermal fibroblast function. Pomegranate seed oil, but not aqueous extracts of fermented juice, peel or seed cake, stimulated keratinocyte proliferation in monolayer culture. In parallel, a mild thickening of the epidermis (without the loss of ordered differentiation) was observed in skin organ culture. These results suggest the heuristic potential of pomegranate seed oil promoting regeneration of the epidermis5.
Anti-aging effect of pomegranate seed oil
Pomegranate seed oil is rich in antioxidants such as punicic acid and tocopherols. Antioxidants are known for their potential anti-aging properties by combating oxidative stress and protecting against cellular damage. Pomegranate seed oil has been found to have anti-inflammatory and healing effects, promoting collagen regeneration and enhancing fibroblast proliferation
The bioactive compounds in Pomegranate seed oil interact with skin cells to improve elasticity through their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The mechanism of action of these bioactive compounds at a molecular level involves their ability to scavenge free radicals, protect the skin matrix, and promote collagen synthesis.
The specific bioactive compounds in Pomegranate seed oil that contribute to improved skin elasticity are punicic acid and tocopherols, including α-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols. These bioactive compounds interact with skin cells to improve elasticity through their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. At a molecular level, the mechanism of action of these bioactive compounds involves their ability to scavenge free radicals, protect the skin matrix, and promote collagen synthesis.
FIGURE 3 Potential antiageing benefits of Pomegranate; created by Scopus AI 19.02.2024.
The regulatory framework in Europe
According to the conclusion reached by the French competent authorities (DGCCRF) in response to a request submitted according to the requirements of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/4566 on the procedural steps of the consultation process for the determination of novel food status, Pomegranate ( Punica granatum L. ) seed oil is considered novel food for all uses.
Conclusion
In conclusion, scientific research suggests that pomegranate seed oil offers a variety of health benefits. Studies have shown its potential to reduce inflammation, protect against oxidative stress, and promote heart health due to its high content of bioactive compounds such as punicic acid and antioxidants. Additionally, pomegranate seed oil exhibits antimicrobial properties, which may contribute to its effectiveness in supporting overall health and wellness. While further research is warranted to fully understand the mechanisms and optimal dosages for specific health outcomes, the existing evidence indicates that incorporating pomegranate seed oil into a balanced diet may offer notable health advantages.
There is already a lot of relevant proof that pomegranate seed oil contributes to various health benefits. Also, it has been proven that when applied topically it can contribute to skin health in various ways, including supporting wound healing and collagen production, UV protection, nourishing and anti-aging thanks to antioxidant and vitamin E content. Nutraceutical potential of pomegranate seed oil is yet to be fully discovered.
References:
1 Tian M, Bai Y, Tian H, Zhao X. The Chemical Composition and Health-Promoting Benefits of Vegetable Oils—A Review. Molecules. 2023; 28(17):6393. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28176393
2 Shabbir MA, Khan MR, Saeed M, Pasha I, Khalil AA, Siraj N. Punicic acid: A striking health substance to combat metabolic syndromes in humans. Lipids Health Dis. 2017;16(1):99. Published 2017 May 30. doi:10.1186/s12944-017-0489-3
3 Kaufman M, Wiesman Z. Pomegranate oil analysis with emphasis on MALDI-TOF/MS triacylglycerol fingerprinting. J Agric Food Chem. 2007;55(25):10405-10413. doi:10.1021/jf072741q
4 The high sterol content may suggest the exploitation of PSO as a low-cost renewable source of phytosterols for industrial processing in the fields of cosmetics, drugs and nutraceuticals. Pomegranate seed may be a promising nutraceutical ingredient accounting for both its abundance and phytochemical quality6.
5 Aslam MN, Lansky EP, Varani J. Pomegranate as a cosmeceutical source: pomegranate fractions promote proliferation and procollagen synthesis and inhibit matrix metalloproteinase-1 production in human skin cells. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006;103(3):311-318. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2005.07.027
6 https://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/novel_food/consultation-process_en
