Title:Pomegranate, its Components, and Modern Deliverable Formulations as Potential Botanicals in the Prevention and Treatment of Various Cancers
Volume: 18
Issue: 10
Author(s): Laila Hussein*, Mostafa Gouda and Harpal S. Buttar
Affiliation:
- Department of Nutrition & Food Science, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, ,Egypt
Keywords:
Pomegranate, punicalagin, ellagitannins, cancer cell adhesion, nuclear transcription factors regulator, apoptosis induction.
Abstract: Cancer is a global multifactorial disease consisting of over 200 types of cancers. It is
well recognized that primary prevention is an effective way to fight cancers by using natural polyphenolic
anticancer foods, vegetables, and fruits, avoiding exposure to the carcinogenic environment,
smoking cessation, and through lifestyle modifications. The present review provides up-todate
information on the effects and functions of pomegranate juice and its bioactive components on
the most widespread six cancer types. Pomegranate contains important polyphenolic compounds,
such as ellagitannins and punicalagin, with strong antioxidant ability for scavenging free radicals
and producing metal-chelates in the biological tissues. The in vitro and in vivo studies suggests that
antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties of pomegranate constitute have major antimutagenic
and antiproliferative activities for regulating gene expression, modulating cellular mechanisms, and
limiting the ability of cancers to metastasize. A limited number of clinical studies have suggested
that pomegranate ingredients have the potential for the prevention and treatment of cancer, especially
colorectal and prostate cancer. In cancer therapy, it remains a clinical dilemma to hit the right target
without inducing side effects. The costly anticancer chemotherapies are often associated with
drug resistance and serious side effects in vital organs and noncancerous neighboring cells. It appears
that the pomegranate-based phytotherapy would be affordable and cost-effective for next-generation
non-pharmacologic anticancer remedies with lesser side effects. However, well-designed,
randomized, double-blind, and multi-center studies are needed to establish the long-term safety, efficacy,
and dose schedules for orally deliverable pomegranate formulations.
