Euromed’s pomegranate concentrate, Pomanox, has shown beneficial effects on skin health in a study done by the Eurecat Technology Center. The researchers reportedly found the ingredient may reduce hyperpigmentation, attenuate oxidative stress induced by excessive UV radiation, promote the maintenance of skin strength and ameliorate skin dryness. These results suggest the extract could be a promising ingredient for nutricosmetic applications. 

Using in-vitro models, the researchers evaluated the extract’s capacity to modulate collagen and hyaluronic acid metabolism, protect against skin ageing caused by UV radiation and inhibit tyrosinase activity – an enzyme that catalyses the production of melanin in the skin. 

The scientists found the ingredient’s tyrosinase-inhibiting effect is comparable to that of commercial tyrosinase inhibitors, such as thiazolidine. Thus, it can reduce hyperpigmentation by decreasing melanin synthesis. Pomegranate is also a source of polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties and inhibit pro-inflammatory enzymes, as confirmed by the study. Therefore, the extract has the potential to counteract oxidative stress caused by excessive exposure to UV radiation. 

It was also found to help improve skin dryness caused by UV rays, by positively modulating hyaluronic acid and collagen metabolism in photoageing conditions. 

As skin ages, its collagen levels decrease, which means it loses strength and structure. However, Pomanox could help maintain skin elasticity through its positive modulation of the collagen metabolism, Euromed says, as demonstrated by the increase of pro-collagen type I and total collagen in the cell fraction, and a significant inhibition of MMP-1 levels, the main inhibitor of collagen synthesis. Inhibition of MMP-1 is also an area of interest for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. 

The ingredient can be used in nutricosmetic, functional food, beverage or pharmaceutical applications. The extract is a natural standardised pomegranate fruit concentrate obtained from pomegranates cultivated in Mediterranean regions of Spain through sustainable farming, is available in organic form, and extracted with a water-only proprietary technology. Beyond skin health, its also known to provide benefits for cardiovascular conditions, metabolic health, sports nutrition, mood and cognitive health, the company says.