Pomegranates are a good source of flavonoids and other beneficial compounds, including gallocatechins, pelargonidin, sitosterol and ellagic acid. Many of these substances are polyphenol antioxidants similar to those found in tea, grapes, red wine, chocolate, açai berries and other foods and beverages that have been attributed with health benefits. Among pomegranate's constituents, ellagic acid has garnered a great deal of interest for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer properties. However, pomegranate has not been shown to prevent or cure cancer or any other condition.
Ellagic Acid
In plants, where it is presumed to confer protection from bacterial and viral infections, ellagic acid is present as ellagitannin. This compound has been examined for its antimicrobial activities outside the pomegranate fruit as well, and a 2009 "Oxford Journals" study suggests that it might be useful for the treatment of salmonellosis. However, ellagic acid's reputed benefits extend beyond its ability to inhibit bacterial or viral growth.
Anticancer Effects
Although pomegranate has not been shown to prevent or cure any cancer, a 2005 study in "Anticancer Research" showed that ellagic acid interfered with the survival of bladder cancer cells grown in tissue culture. Similarly, researchers at Louisiana State University showed that ellagic acid interfered with the proliferation of cultured human breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer cells, and a 2008 report in "World Journal of Gastroenterology" demonstrated a similar effect in human pancreatic cancer cells.
Reduced Chemotherapy Toxicity
Aside from its intriguing anticancer activities, ellagic acid may eventually prove useful for reducing the side effects of chemotherapy in patients who already have cancer. A 2005 "European Urology" trial showed that men with advanced prostate cancer who were undergoing chemotherapy exhibited less treatment-related toxicity, particularly in regards to maintaining their white blood cell counts.
Considerations
Pomegranate contains several substances that may confer specific health benefits. Ellagic acid is one of the better-studied of these ingredients, and it has demonstrated anticancer activity in tumor cells that are grown in tissue culture. However, investigation of pomegranate's cancer-preventing properties is just beginning as of 2011, and there is currently no scientific proof that pomegranate prevents or cures any cancer.
References
- "Oxford Journals"; In vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity of Punica granatum peel ethanol extract against Salmonella; Jang-Gi C, et al.; 2009
- PubMed.gov: Ellagic acid induced p53/p21 expression, G1 arrest and apoptosis in human bladder cancer T24 cells
- PubMed.gov: In vitro anti-proliferative activities of ellagic acid
- PubMed.gov: Ellagic acid induces apoptosis through inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B in pancreatic cancer cells
- "European Urology"; Support Ellagic Acid Therapy in Patients with Hormone Refractory Prostate Cancer (HRPC) on Standard Chemotherapy Using Vinorelbine and Estramustine Phosphate; Falsaperla M, et al.; 2005
