Subscribe
CAM InteractionsPomegranate

Pomegranate juice doesn’t inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes in humans

JR

Several years ago a study in human liver tissue and in rats concluded that pomegranate juice inhibited CYP3A — a liver enzyme in the cytochrome P450 system important for metabolizing drugs. The implications were that — just as with grapefruit — people taking drugs such as statins for cholesterol might be exposed to much higher blood levels and greater risk of side effects.

We now find that when studied in healthy volunteers, pomegranate juice is not associated with this risk.

  • In 13 volunteer, drinking 8 ounces of pomegranate juice had no effect on the blood levels of midazolam (Versed) — a benzodiazepine type drug used as a sedative that is sensitive to this enzyme interaction.
  • Drinking grapefruit juice did increase the blood levels of midazolam

Some men drink pomegranate juice to slow the rise in prostate-specific antigen levels (PSA).

Other drugs affected by grapefruit juice are listed here.

2/26/07 10:20 JR

Hi, I’m JR

John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

Related Posts