Study finds that blend of sweet orange and pomegranate extracts from BioActor may support healthy aging
A recent study found that Actiful, a blend of Citrus sinensis (sweet orange) and Punica granatum (pomegranate) extracts, may act as a dietary modulator of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), which have been associated with a variety of age-related chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
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A recent study1 found that Actiful, a blend of Citrus sinensis (sweet orange) and Punica granatum (pomegranate) extracts, may act as a dietary modulator of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), which have been associated with a variety of age-related chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Actiful is manufactured by BioActor, based in Maastricht, The Netherlands.
In the study, 36 healthy subjects with an average age of 66 were dive either placebo or Actiful for four weeks. A cross-over trial, the groups switched interventions after a four-week washout period. The researchers measured the plasma levels of α-dicarbonyls (α-DCs), such as methylglyoxal (MGO), glyoxal (GO), and 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG), which are precursors to AGEs. Results showed that supplementation with Actiful resulted in a 9.8% decrease in MGO from baseline, a statistically significant reduction compared to placebo.
“The MGO scavenging effect exhibited by the active compounds in sweet orange and pomegranate holds promise as a potential therapeutic approach for preventing and managing conditions in which MGO plays a pivotal role,” wrote the researchers. “Based on these initial findings, several recommendations and prospective avenues emerge. It is essential to substantiate these preliminary discoveries with broader studies, involving a more diverse group of participants. Investigating the optimal doses of the combined extracts is crucial for refining the MGO scavenging effect. Moreover, determining the specific molecular pathways through which these compounds act will enhance our understanding and may lead to the development of even more effective interventions.”
Reference
- Bednarska, K.; Fecka, I.; Scheijen, J.L.J.M.; Ahles, S.; Vangrieken, P.; Schalkwijk, C.G. A Citrus and Pomegranate Complex Reduces Methylglyoxal in Healthy Elderly Subjects: Secondary Analysis of a Double-Blind Randomized Cross-Over Clinical Trial. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(17): 13168. DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713168
