Experimental Evidence of the Antitumor, Antimetastatic and Antiangiogenic Activity of Ellagic Acid

• Published in: Nutrients Vol. 10; no. 11; p. 1756
• Main Authors: Ceci, Claudia, Lacal, Pedro M, Tentori, Lucio, De Martino, Maria Gabriella, Miano, Roberto, Graziani, Grazia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI 14-11-2018; MDPI AG
• Subjects: angiogenesis; Angiogenesis Inhibitors - chemistry; Angiogenesis Inhibitors - pharmacology; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - chemistry; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - pharmacology; bladder cancer; breast cancer; colorectal cancer; Ellagic Acid - chemistry; Ellagic Acid - pharmacology; melanoma; metastases; non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); ovarian cancer; polyphenolic compounds; prostate cancer; Review; metastases; prostate cancer; colorectal cancer; ovarian cancer; angiogenesis; bladder cancer; polyphenolic compounds; breast cancer; melanoma; non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
• ISSN: 2072-6643; 2072-6643
• DOI: 10.3390/nu10111756

Ellagic acid (EA) is a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound endowed with strong antioxidant and anticancer properties that is present in high quantity in a variety of berries, pomegranates, and dried fruits. The antitumor activity of EA has been mostly attributed to direct antiproliferative and apoptotic effects. Moreover, EA can inhibit tumour cell migration, extra-cellular matrix invasion and angiogenesis, all processes that are crucial for tumour infiltrative behaviour and the metastatic process. In addition, EA may increase tumour sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The aim of this review is to summarize the in vitro and in vivo experimental evidence supporting the anticancer activity of pure EA, its metabolites, and EA-containing fruit juice or extracts in a variety of solid tumour models. The EA oral administration as supportive therapy to standard chemotherapy has been recently evaluated in small clinical studies with colorectal or prostate cancer patients. Novel formulations with improved solubility and bioavailability are expected to fully develop the therapeutic potential of EA derivatives in the near future.