Pomegranate suppresses PGE2 production and COX- 2 expression in IL-1β-stimulated SK-N-SH neuronal cells: implications for Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the elderly and several reports have shown that neuroinflammatory processes contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of AD. Although a number of drugs have been developed for use, they have been shown to produce many side effects with limited therapeutic benefits. Recently, naturally occurring dietary substances have received considerable attention as alternative for AD therapy. Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is consumed globally as a fruit and has been shown to possess powerful antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of a lyophilised extract of pomegranate juice (PWE) in IL-1β-stimulated SK-N-SH neuronal cells. Cultured SK-N-SH cells were stimulated with IL-1β in the presence or absence of PWE (25 – 200 µg/ml) for 24h. Results show that PWE produced a dose-dependent suppression of PGE2 production and COX-2 protein expression when compared with IL-1β control. Furthermore, PWE (25 – 200 µg/ml) dose-dependently inhibited IL-1β-induced nuclear translocation of the NF-κBp65 subunit and IκB phosphorylation in SK-N-SH cells. Consistent with its anti-neuroinflammatory actions, PWE inhibited IL-1β-induced Aβ1 – 42 generation and expression of β-secretase (BACE-1). Taken together, it is suggested that pomegranate fruit may be useful in preventing the development and progression of AD