Cancer chemoprevention by pomegranate: laboratory and clinical evidence.
Pomegranate fruit from the tree Punica granatum has been dubbed as the "nature's power fruit." Dating back to Biblical times, the tree itself is attributed to possess extraordinary medicinal properties. The geographical distribution of the tree, being native to the Middle East and some Asian countries, is generally attributed to a lack of interest in its medicinal properties by many western scientists. However, the unique biochemical composition of the pomegranate fruit being rich in antioxidant tannins and flavonoids has recently drawn attention of many investigators to study its exceptional healing qualities. Recent research has shown that pomegranate extracts selectively inhibit the growth of breast, prostate, colon and lung cancer cells in culture. In preclinical animal studies, oral consumption of pomegranate extract inhibited growth of lung, skin, colon and prostate tumors. An initial phase II clinical trial of pomegranate juice in patients with prostate cancer reported significant prolongation of prostate specific antigen doubling time. This review focuses on recent investigations into the effects of pomegranate fruit on cancer.
Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
Vaqar Mustafa
VM
Adhami
Naghma
N
Khan
Hasan
H
Mukhtar
D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001628:Beverages; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D029561:Lythraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts