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Current Pharmaceutical Design

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1381-6128
ISSN (Online): 1873-4286

Review Article

Ellagic Acid: A Logical Lead for Drug Development?

Author(s): Abolfazl Shakeri, Mohammad Reza Zirak and Amirhossein Sahebkar*

Volume 24, Issue 2, 2018

Page: [106 - 122] Pages: 17

DOI: 10.2174/1381612823666171115094557

Price: $65

Abstract

Background: Naturally occurring polyphenols are the subject of increasing attention due to their potent antioxidant activity and their marked effects on the prevention of various oxidative stress-associated diseases such as cancer. Ellagic acid (EA) is an herbal polyphenol that is structurally a condensed dimer of gallic acid.

Methods: This review aims to provide a comprehensive and updated overview on the biological activities of EA and potential therapeutic applications.

Results: EA is found in fruits and nuts, either in the combined form with hexahydroxydiphenic acid or in the bound form (ellagitannins). EA exhibits many biological properties such as antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anticancer and apoptosis-inducing activities. These biological and pharmacological properties are relevant to the treatment of several human diseases.

Conclusion: Owing to its multiple mechanisms of action, EA represents a potential therapeutic agent against human diseases particularly cancer.

Keywords: Polyphenol, ellagic acid, pharmacology, phytomedicine, gallic acid, antioxidant.

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