title: Pomegranate extracts and cancer prevention: molecular and cellular activities.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Medical Sciences Center, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
authors.forename: Deeba N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Syed
authors.forename: Jean-Christopher
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Chamcheu
authors.forename: Vaqar M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Adhami
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mukhtar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D063646:Carcinogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D029561:Lythraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts