Verdure Sciences has adopted pomegranate (Punica granatum) through the American Botanical Council (ABC) Adopt-an-Herb botanical education program.  
 
Verdure Sciences’ adoption supports ABC’s extensive HerbMedPro database, ensuring that this essential educational resource remains up to date for researchers, health professionals, industry, students, consumers, and other members of the herbal and dietary supplements community.
 
HerbMedPro is a comprehensive, interactive online database that provides access to important scientific and clinical research data on the uses and health effects of more than 250 herbs, spices, and medicinal plants.
 
“Pomegranate is highly recognized for its antioxidant properties and has become increasingly popular with the masses over the past decade,” wrote Kristen Marshall, marketing coordinator for Verdure Sciences. “It is important to continue to strive for excellence in the industry, even with a well-established ingredient like pomegranate.”
 
She also noted that expanding research and emerging evidence are supporting the safety and efficacy of punicalagins (characteristic antioxidant constituents of the pomegranate fruit). According to Ms. Marshall, Verdure Sciences believes the adoption is important because Pomella Extract, the company’s branded, patented, and proprietary standardized pomegranate extract, was developed to deliver punicalagins and other beneficial metabolites to the body.
 
“Verdure is excited to partner with ABC to recognize the increasing clinical initiatives on pomegranate and curate scientific and clinical research into HerbMedPro through this adoption,” Marshall continued.
 
Ajay Patel, founder and CEO of Verdure Sciences, wrote: “It is our responsibility to strive for continuous improvement by ensuring that supplements have proven identity, are safe, and meet label claims.”
 
According to Patel, pomegranate adulteration is a growing concern that can be addressed with effective traceability programs and by testing raw materials with validated methods. “In addition to focusing on sound quality-control practices and traceability, we must create supplements that deliver clinically efficacious doses of active compounds,” Patel added. The company believes the adoption will help achieve these goals.
 
ABC Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal said: “ABC is deeply grateful to Verdure Sciences for its generous adoption of pomegranate on ABC’s HerbMedPro database. Pomegranate’s popularity in beverages and dietary supplements has made it a major food and dietary ingredient in international markets. Verdure’s adoption of pomegranate will allow ABC to keep up with the scientific and clinical literature on pomegranate for the benefit of scientific researchers, industry members, and consumers.”