PP and placebo capsules
For the study’s required daily dose of 1500 mg pomegranate peel (PP) capsules, four capsules of 500 mg each were utilized. Each capsule contained 375 mg of dried extract and an additional 125 mg of microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel®). Therefore, the mixture consisted of 66.6% PP extract and 33.3% Avicel. The pomegranate peel capsules for the intervention group were prepared using a capsule-filling machine. In contrast, the placebo group received capsules filled with 500 mg of placebo, which was prepared using Avicel, food coloring, and a unique essence. The placebo capsules closely resembled the pomegranate peel extract capsules in terms of color, smell, and texture. To maintain blinding, one of the pharmacologic laboratory experts filled the capsules into specific medicine containers under clean conditions. Both groups were labeled as “group A” and “group B,“ and each contained 120 placebo or intervention capsules. The identity of the jars containing the PP capsules was not revealed until the end of the study to ensure blinding.