Beneficial Effects of Pomegranate on Lipid Metabolism in Metabolic Disorders

Pomegranate (Punica granatum Linn) is used in the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome in recent decades. Imbalances in lipid metabolism are profound features of metabolic disorders. In vivo and in vitro studies have shown that extracts of different pomegranate fractions (peels, flowers, juice, and seeds) regulate lipid metabolism in metabolic-disorder-associated diseases such as atherosclerosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and type 2 diabetes, helping to alleviate the development of diseases. Amelioration of oxidative stress and the inflammatory response is considered an important reason underlying the regulation of lipid metabolism by pomegranate extracts. Mitochondria, the major cellular site for lipid oxidation, are strongly associated with cellular oxidative and inflammatory status and are likely to be a target for pomegranate extract action. This review summarizes the main findings about the effects of different pomegranate fraction extracts on lipid metabolism in metabolic-disorder-associated diseases and analyses how pomegranate extracts achieve their effects. Furthermore, it also provides an important basis for the research and development of pomegranate-related nutrients or drugs.