The effect of pomegranate juice on clinical signs, matrix metalloproteinases and antioxidant status in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Ghoochani N, Karandish M, Mowla K, Haghighizadeh MH, Jalali MT · Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture

The only randomized trial of pomegranate as a food rather than an extract. WOMAC total, stiffness and physical-function scores all fell within the juice group (p = 0.01, p < 0.001, p = 0.01). Two measures were reported against the control group and both separated: serum MMP-13, an enzyme that cuts type II collagen, fell (p = 0.02) and glutathione peroxidase rose (p = 0.02).

Population

Adults with knee osteoarthritis, single centre in Ahvaz, Iran

Intervention

Pomegranate juice for 6 weeks

Comparator

Control group, no placebo beverage

Limitations

n=38, six weeks, one centre, and there was no placebo beverage — the control group drank nothing, so neither participants nor the symptom scores are blinded. The WOMAC results are reported as within-group change; the between-group comparisons that are stated are for the biochemistry, not the pain.