Pomegranate Extract May Lower Breast Cancer Risk

Compounds from pomegranate may reduce the incidence of hormone-dependent breast cancer, says a new study from California.

A metabolite of ellagic acid found in pomegranates may inhibit an enzyme called aromatase that converts androgen to oestrogen, and that also plays a key role in the development of breast cancer, according to findings published in Cancer Prevention Research.

Researchers from the City of Hope in Duarte, California and the
University of California, Los Angeles said they were surprised by
their findings. "We previously found other fruits, such as grapes,
to be capable of the inhibition of aromatase. But, phytochemicals
in pomegranates and in grapes are different," reported the
investigators.

Pomegranate, a rich source of antioxidants, has been linked to
improved heart health, but a growing body of science indicates
the fruit protect against prostate cancer. Studies have also
reported a role in joint health by slowing cartilage loss in arthritis.

It is these antioxidants, and particularly ellagitannin compounds
like punicalagins and punicalins, which accounts for about half
of the fruit's antioxidant ability, that are reportedly behind the
proposed health benefits.

They also said additional studies will be needed to confirm these
initial findings.

"The ingestion of pomegranate juice can lead to concentrations
of circulating urolithins reaching up to 18 micromoles per litre in
blood," said the researchers. "Taken together with the results of
current studies and reports of the presence of urolithin A and
urolithin B in the blood and urine of human subjects following
pomegranate ingestion, the results of these analyses suggest
that pomegranate intake may be a viable strategy for the
chemoprevention of breast cancer."

"More research on the individual components and the combination
of chemicals is needed to understand the potential risks and
benefits of using pomegranate juice or isolated compounds for
a health benefit or for cancer prevention," they explained. "This
study does suggest that studies of the ellagitannins from
pomegranates should be continued."

Until then people "might consider consuming more pomegranates
to protect against cancer development in the breast and perhaps
in other tissues and organs".

The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Source: Cancer Prevention Research