William Nelson
Naturopathic Medical Doctors of Arizona, USA
Title: Biochemical effects of pomegranate on cancer
Biography
Biography: William Nelson
Abstract
Pomegranates have been shown to contain over 100 different phytochemicals, including ellagitannins, punicic acid,
flavonoids, anthocyanidins, estrogenic flavonols, and flavones. The highest concentration of ellagitannins is in the freshly
prepared juice. Recent research shows remarkable results in reducing atherosclerosis, obesity, insulin resistance, intestinal
inflammation and cancer. Pomegranate has been shown to have breast cancer preventive effects through modulation of
endogenous sex hormone levels. Ellagitannins prevents estrogen-responsive breast cancer by inhibiting the growth of cultured
breast cancer cells. Ellagic acid also inhibits the enzyme known as aromatase that converts androgen to estrogen hormones.
The anti-cancer effect is also expressed through inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that promotes new
vasculature and tumor growth and metastasis. Pomegranate juice lowers the risk of cancer through inhibiting several of the
cytochrome P450 enzymes that can activate carcinogen metabolites. Pomegranates are rich in fatty acids (80%) specifically
conjugated linolenic acids (cLNA) which constitute anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. Research shows pomegranate
is anti-proliferative, anti-invasive, and anti-metastatic by inducing apoptosis and blocking the activation of inflammatory
pathways. These mechanisms of anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-angiogenesis are expressed through inhibition of
cyclooxygenase (COX), lipooxygenase (LOX), cytochrome P450 (CYP450) and last but not least the master inflammatory
switch in the body NF-kB.