Title:Pomegranate Extracts and Cancer Prevention: Molecular and Cellular Activities
VOLUME: 13 ISSUE: 8
Author(s):Deeba N. Syed, Jean-Christopher Chamcheu, Vaqar M. Adhami and Hasan Mukhtar
Affiliation:Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Medical Sciences Center, Room #B25, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Keywords:Pomegranate extracts, cancer prevention.
Abstract:There is increased appreciation by the scientific community that dietary phytochemicals can be potential weapons in the fight
against cancer. Emerging data has provided new insights into the molecular and cellular framework needed to establish novel
mechanism-based strategies for cancer prevention by selective bioactive food components. The unique chemical composition of the
pomegranate fruit, rich in antioxidant tannins and flavonoids has drawn the attention of many investigators. Polyphenol rich fractions
derived from the pomegranate fruit have been studied for their potential chemopreventive and/or cancer therapeutic effects in several
animal models. Although data from in vitro and in vivo studies look convincing, well designed clinical trials in humans are needed to
ascertain whether pomegranate can become part of our armamentarium against cancer. This review summarizes the available literature on
the effects of pomegranate against various cancers.
