Insights & Discussion
Ellagic acid, commonly found in various plant foods, can enhance cancer treatment by boosting the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy while reducing their side effects.
The presented review compiled in vitro and in vivo experimental evidence of the synergistic effect of Ellagic acid (EA) in cancer therapy from multiple databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The focus was on the use of EA in conjunction with conservative treatment methods such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
The results suggest that EA, a polyphenolic compound found in various plant foods, has the potential to enhance the effectiveness of these treatment methods. It was found to improve treatment outcomes when combined with a low dosage of therapeutic drugs or optimized radiation levels. Additionally, EA appears to have a preventative effect against the adverse reactions normally associated with chemotherapy, possibly due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it a promising candidate as a drug adjuvant in cancer treatment.
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Ellagic acid, found naturally in pomegranates, significantly inhibits growth and migration of gastric cancer cells without causing notable side effects.
2022 Human & Experimental Toxicology The effects of ellagic acid and other pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) derivatives on human gastric cancer AGS cells Cheshomi H, Bahrami AR, Rafatpanah H, Matin MM
Experimental Study Ellagic Acid Pomegranate Stomach Cancer
In the methodology of this study, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was employed to detect the presence of Ellagic Acid (EA) in samples. Various methods were then used to determine the various anti-cancer properties of different concentrations of pomegranate fruit juice, pomegranate peel extract, and pure EA. This included an MTT assay, apoptosis and scratch assay, gelatin zymography and quantitative RT-PCR. Additionally, the study examined the impact of these compounds on immunocompromised C57BL/6 mice carrying human gastric cancer tumors.
Extending to discussing the results, it was found that EA inhibited both the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells in mice and altered gene expressions related to apoptosis and inflammation. The treatments with EA or pomegranate extract resulted in a noticeable decrease in tumor size in the lab mice. No significant side effects were reported from EA use. In sum, the results showed EA's potential as a safe and effective anti-cancer agent specific to gastric adenocarcinoma.
Pomegranate juice extract (PPJE) appears to reduce chemotherapy-induced skin side effects by inhibiting inflammation and promoting wound repair on the skin.
2021 Antioxidants Protective Effect of Pomegranate on Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Response Induced by 5-Fluorouracil in Human Keratinocytes Rapa SF, Magliocca G, Pepe G, Amodio G, Autore G, Campiglia P, et al.
Experimental Study Chemotherapy Oxidative Stress Pomegranate
In this study, the impact of pomegranate (L.) juice extract (PPJE) on skin cells treated with 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), an antineoplastic agent, was evaluated. This involved assessing the extract's ability to inhibit the release of reactive oxygen species and enhance the cellular antioxidant response of the treated skin cells. Specific attention was given to observe the overexpression of cytoprotective enzymes such as heme oxygenase-1 and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 after the introduction of PPJE.
The results indicated that PPJE indeed blocked the formation of nitrotyrosine and reduced the release of cytokines, therefore indicating a dampened inflammatory response. Furthermore, it was revealed that the extract could inhibit the nuclear translocation of p65-NF-κB, a key regulator of inflammation. The study also pointed out that PPJE could curb apoptosis in cells treated with 5-FU, whilst fostering wound repair. The overall findings suggest that PPJE holds potential as a supplementary agent for managing oxidative and inflammatory issues associated with chemotherapy-induced skin side effects.
Pomegranate juice increases the effectiveness of lung cancer treatment with the low dose chemotherapy drug Cisplatin, while simultaneously reducing its toxicity on normal cells.
2020 Medicines Pomegranate Juice Extract Decreases Cisplatin Toxicity on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Nasser M, Damaj Z, Hijazi A, Merah O, Al-Khatib B, Hijazi N, et al.
Experimental Study Chemotherapy Lung Cancer Pomegranate
The study performed classical tests for initial phytochemical screening of the pomegranate extract, measuring both total phenolic and sugar contents. The antioxidant activity of the pomegranate juice was then evaluated using an accepted method for determining its ability to eliminate harmful oxidative molecules. The viability of lung cancer cells and normal blood cells, when treated with pomegranate and the Cisplatin, was gauged using a neutral red assay, a test that determines cell health by noting their capacity to incorporate neutral red dye.
In the discussion of results, the findings highlighted the high density of antioxidant compounds (such as flavonoids, alkaloids, etc) in the pomegranate juice. The juice had strong oxidative molecule scavenging activity, indicating potential as an antioxidant treatment. Most notably, the combination of pomegranate juice with a low dose of Cisplatin significantly reduced the viability of lung cancer cells while enhancing that of normal blood cells when compared to treatment with just Cisplatin or pomegranate juice.