How is it promoted for use?
Ellagic acid has been found to cause apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells in the laboratory. How it works is not yet well understood. Some also claim it prevents the binding of carcinogens to DNA, and strengthens connective tissue, which may keep cancer cells from spreading. Ellagic acid has also been said to reduce heart disease, birth defects, liver fibrosis, and to promote wound healing. Many of these claims are currently under investigation.

What does it involve?
The highest levels of ellagic acid are found in raspberries, strawberries, and pomegranates, especially when they are freeze-dried. Red raspberry leaves, which also contain ellagic acid, are available in capsule, powder, or liquid form. The correct dosage of these preparations are not known.

What is the history behind it?
Early studies of nutrition and cancer focused on macronutrients (eg, protein, carbohydrates, and fat) and micronutrients (eg, vitamins and minerals). More recently, studies have begun focusing on phytochemicals, which are compounds produced by plants (see Phytochemicals). There is an enormous amount of folklore that surrounds phytochemicals, and scientific investigation is currently in the early stages. Early published research on ellagic acid appeared in the 1970s and 1980s, and the first studies began in 1993.

What is the evidence?
Ellagic acid has been demonstrated in animal models to inhibit tumor growth caused by carcinogens. A human study is being completed at the Medical University of South Carolina Hollings Cancer Center. Twelve participants, some of whom had undergone surgery to have cancerous polyps removed, ate one cup of red raspberries daily for a year with some continuing for longer. The study was to determine if eating red raspberries could prevent colon cancer by both inhibiting the abnormal division of cells and promoting the normal death of healthy cells. The results of the study have not yet been published.

Other studies have also found positive effects. A recent animal study found that ellagic acid protected mice against chromosome damage from radiation therapy. A separate study of ellagic acid indicated that it was effective at inhibiting tumor growth from esophageal cancer cells in mice. Animal studies may show a certain substance holds promise as a beneficial treatment, but further studies are necessary to determine if the results apply to humans.

A balanced diet that includes five or more servings a day of fruits and vegetables along with foods from a variety of other plant sources such as breads, cereals, grain products, rice, pasta, and beans is more effective than eating one particular food, such as raspberries, in large amounts.

References:

Agricultural Research Services. Boosting ellagic acid in strawberries.
United States Department of Agriculture Web site. Available at:
http://www.ars.usda.gov. Accessed October 8, 1999

Ahn D, Putt D, Kresty L, Stoner GD, Fromm D, Hollenberg PF. The effects of dietary ellagic acid on rat hepatic and esophageal mucosal cytochromes P450 and phase II enzymes. Carcinogenesis. 1996;17:821-828

Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's Handbook of Complimentary and Alternative Medicines. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corp; 1999

Harttig U, Hendricks JD, Stoner GD, Bailey GS. Organ specific, protocol dependent modulation of 7,12-dimethylbenz-[a]anthracene carcinogenesis in rainbow trout (Oncorhyncus mykiss) by dietary ellagic acid. Carcinogenesis
1996;17:2403-2409

Medical Economics. PDR for Herbal Medicines. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company; 1998

Narayanan BA, Geoffroy O, Willingham MC, Re GG, Nixon DW. P53/p21
(WAF1/CIP1) expression and its possible role in G1 arrest and apoptosis in ellagic acid treated cancer cells. Cancer Lett. 1999;136:215-221

Stoner GD, Morse MA. Isothiocyanates and plant polyphenols as inhibitors of lung and esophageal cancer. Cancer Lett. 1997;114:113-119

Thresiamma KC, George J, Kuttan R. Protective effect of curcumin, ellagic acid and bixin on radiation induced genotoxicity
J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 1998;17:431-434

Note: This information was reprinted from the American Cancer Society's Guide to Complementary and Alternative Methods. Copyright©2000, American Cancer Society. This information may not cover all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or interactions, is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor who is familiar with your medical needs.

Revised: 09/18/2000 01:00:00 AM

Disclaimer:
We make no claims for our product. Information we send out is not intended to diagnose, cure or prescribe. If you have a medical condition, we suggest that you see your health care provider.