Effect of pomegranate seed oil on serum TNF-α level in dyslipidemic patients

Pomegranate punicic acid and pomegranate fruit extracts have the potential effects in inhibiting tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pomegranate seed oil (PSO) consumption on serum TNF-alpha level in dyslipidemic patients. Fifty-one subjects with serum total cholesterol concentration. > 200 mg/dl and serum triglyceride concentrations > 150 mg/dl were randomly assigned into the PSO (n = 25) and placebo (n = 26) groups. Subjects were given 400 mg PSO or placebo capsules twice daily for 4 weeks. Six patients were excluded because of complications or lack of compliance. Serum TNF-alpha level was measured at baseline and after 4 weeks. Mean (SD) serum concentration of TNF-alpha decreased from 14.73 +/- 5.25 to 13.28 +/- 3.79 pg/ml in the PSO group (P = NS). Corresponding values in the placebo group were 12.46 +/- 1.67 versus 13.14 +/- 1.67 pg/ml (P = NS). In conclusion, administration of PSO in dyslipidemic patients does not affect the serum TNF-alpha.