Trial to Evaluate the Use of Pomegranate Concentrate (POMx) for the Prevention of Experimental Rhinovirus Infection

A Placebo Controlled, Randomized, Double Blind Pilot Study to Evaluate the Use of Pomegranate Concentrate (POMx) for the Prevention of Experimental Rhinovirus Infection in Human Subjects

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 2

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT00655031

Enrollment

150

Registered

2008-04-09

Start date

2008-04-30

Completion date

2008-07-31

Last updated

2008-08-18

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Common Cold

Keywords

Punicaceae, Pomegranate

Brief summary

Pomegranate has a long history of use in folk medicine. There is vast data on the health benefits of pomegranate fruit and juice. Multiple studies have established the strong antioxidative effects of pomegranate polyphenols (primarily the ellagitannin punicalagin) and their health effects. A vast number of animal and human clinical studies have provided evidence on effect of pomegranate products on reducing symptoms of common cold, reducing blood pressure, improving endothelial function, anti-tumor activity, and its anti-atherosclerotic activity. This study will evaluate the protective effect of a pomegranate concentrate (POMx) in decreasing the incidence and duration of the common cold among healthy adults.

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPomegranate Concentrate (POMx)

3.3 oz bottle containing antioxidants equivalent to 8 oz of pomegranate juice taken once daily for 7 days prior to infection and for 4 days after.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPlacebo

3.3 oz bottle containing fruit flavored juice low in antioxidants taken once daily for 7 days prior to infection and for 4 days after.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 45 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Nonsmoker * No recent history of respiratory disease

Exclusion criteria

* Serum positive for rhinovirus * Pregnant or breastfeeding * Recent immunization

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
The proportion of subjects who become infected in the active treatment group compared with the proportion of subjects who become infected in the placebo treatment group.	Days 1-5

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Comparison of symptom scores in the treatment groups	Days 1-5
Determination of effects of treatment on immune function.	Days 1-5

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026