title: Pomegranate for Prevention and Treatment of Cancer: An Update.
abstract: Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, and those who survive cancer may experience lasting difficulties, including treatment side effects, as well as physical, cognitive, and psychosocial struggles. Naturally-occurring agents from dietary fruits and vegetables have received considerable attention for the prevention and treatment of cancers. These natural agents are safe and cost efficient in contrast to expensive chemotherapeutic agents, which may induce significant side effects. The pomegranate (Punica granatumL.) fruit has been used for the prevention and treatment of a multitude of diseases and ailments for centuries in ancient cultures. Pomegranate exhibits strong antioxidant activity and is a rich source of anthocyanins, ellagitannins, and hydrolysable tannins. Studies have shown that the pomegranate fruit as well as its juice, extract, and oil exert anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and anti-tumorigenic properties by modulating multiple signaling pathways, which suggest its use as a promising chemopreventive/chemotherapeutic agent. This review summarizes preclinical and clinical studies highlighting the role of pomegranate in prevention and treatment of skin, breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. vaidp@uab.edu.
authors.forename: Pooja
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. smcclees@uab.edu.
authors.forename: Sarah F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: McClees
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. farrukhafaq@uabmc.edu.|Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. farrukhafaq@uabmc.edu.
authors.forename: Farrukh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Afaq
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D018890:Chemoprevention; D005638:Fruit / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D029561:Lythraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: angiogenesis; apoptosis; cancer; cell proliferation; inflammation; pomegranate