Pomegranate Seed Oil Shows Promise in Slowing Down Memory Loss in Early Alzheimer Patients
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jun 23, 2025 3 hours, 39 minutes ago
Medical News: A Natural Remedy for Brain Inflammation and Oxidative Stress May Offer Hope for Millions
Alzheimer’s disease, a growing global crisis that causes memory loss and cognitive decline, still lacks a definitive cure. While conventional medicine has struggled to find effective treatments, new research from Greece suggests a promising alternative hidden in a humble fruit—the pomegranate. In a breakthrough discovery, scientists have demonstrated that pomegranate seed oil (PSO) has potent neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties that could help people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and possibly delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Pomegranate Seed Oil Shows Promise in Slowing Down Memory Loss in Early Alzheimer Patients
According to this
Medical News report, the research was conducted by a collaborative team from the Laboratory of Biochemistry at the Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, the Greek Association of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (GAADRD), and the Laboratory of Animal Physiology at the School of Veterinary Medicine, all based in Thessaloniki, Greece.
What the Scientists Did
The study took a two-pronged approach. First, researchers tested the effects of Greek pomegranate seed oil on brain-like cells grown in the lab (called N2a neuroblastoma cells). These cells were exposed to bacterial substances that mimic brain inflammation seen in Alzheimer’s disease. The oil successfully reduced inflammation and protected the cells from damage. Markers like TNF-α (a key inflammation signal), iNOS, and IL-1β were significantly reduced. Levels of harmful proteins associated with Alzheimer’s, such as Aβ42 and phosphorylated tau (p-tau181), were also lowered.
In the second part of the study, scientists gave pomegranate seed oil to real patients with mild cognitive impairment. Over the course of 12 months, participants consumed five drops of the oil daily while following a Mediterranean diet. The results were remarkable. Patients showed improved memory scores, healthier blood levels of Alzheimer’s-related proteins, and significantly reduced inflammation.
Key Findings from the Lab and Clinic
In lab tests:
-PSO reduced toxic amyloid protein (Aβ42) levels by 88% in inflamed brain cells
-Tau and p-tau181, two proteins that form damaging tangles in Alzheimer’s, were significantly lowered
-PSO reduced inflammation markers by over 60% and decreased oxidative stress by boosting the brain’s antioxidant defenses
In the clinical trial with 54 patients:
-Patients who took PSO scored significantly better on the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE)
-Levels of harmful amyloid protein Aβ40 dropped, while be
neficial Aβ42 levels rose
-The Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio—a critical marker of Alzheimer’s progression—improved dramatically (up 225%)
-Inflammatory marker TNF-α decreased significantly in those taking PSO, while it worsened in those who did not
-The dangerous p-tau181/Aβ42 ratio dropped by 73% in the treatment group, suggesting slower disease progression
What This Means for the Future
These findings are exciting because they offer a potential natural therapy that could be accessible, safe, and effective for people in the early stages of memory decline. While more large-scale studies are needed, the evidence so far suggests that Greek pomegranate seed oil may not only reduce inflammation and oxidative stress but also reverse some of the earliest harmful changes seen in the brain before full-blown Alzheimer’s disease develops.
The researchers conclude that daily intake of cold-pressed Greek pomegranate seed oil can be a safe non-pharmaceutical intervention to support brain health in people at risk of cognitive decline. If validated by future studies, this could pave the way for natural supplements as part of Alzheimer’s prevention strategies.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Biology.
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/5/548
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