A recent study demonstrates that punicalagin extracted from the pomegranate can repair the cellular antioxidant system, delaying aging.
A small part of the oxygen we inhale is transformed in the cell itself into a reactive species that is characterized by having an oxidative activity.
They are the so-called free radicals and their presence, like that of the oxidation process they generate, is essential for the balance of the body. However, external factors, such as ultraviolet light, can increase the level of these free radicals so that the antioxidants are not enough to counteract them.
Therefore, there is an increase in their presence in the cell, producing oxidative stress, which, if too high, can cause cell death.
The consequence of all this, is the production of a deterioration of the tissues, favoring the appearance of different serious pathologies, like cardiovascular diseases or cancer, as well as premature aging of the skin.
Very recently, at China Agricultural University, Chen Hui and co-workers have studied the effect of punicalagin extracted from the pomegranate has on a gene that plays an important role in oxidative stress regulation and delaying aging.
For this, human skin cells previously irradiated with ultraviolet radiation B (UVB) were used.
The experiment showed that punicalagin extracted from the pomegranate enhanced the expression of the gene and effectively reduced UVB-induced intracellular radical levels. Thus, this constituent of pomegranate was able to repair the cellular antioxidant system, avoiding cell death and delaying the aging of skin cells.
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