foodconsumer.org: Pomegranate compounds may prevent hormone-dependent breast cancer

Pomegranate compounds may prevent hormone-dependent breast cancer
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admin on 01/06/2010 12:08:00
 
By Jimmy Downs
Researchers of the Breast Cancer Research Program at City of Hope in Duarte,
California found phytochemicals in pomegranates may be used as preventatives
against hormone-dependent breast cancer.
The laboratory study led by Shiuan Chen and colleagues found ellagitannins high
in pomegranates can inhibit an enzyme called aromatase which converts androgen
into estrogen; the latter promotes the growth of breast cancer cells.
"Phytochemicals suppress estrogen production that prevents the proliferation of
breast cancer cells and the growth of estrogen-responsive tumors," said Chen who
published his study in the January issue of Cancer Prevention Research.
Chen screened 10 ellagitannin-derived compounds in pomegranates and tested their
anti-aromatase activity and found that those compounds have the potential to
prevent estrogen-responsive breast cancers.
One metabolite of ellagic acid called Urolithin B was found to inhibit cell
growth significantly.
Some researchers who were not involved in the study said that Chen's findings
are interesting, but more studies are needed to confirm the potential anticancer
properties. In the meantime, they suggest people still count on using
pomegranates to prevent breast cancer.
Gary Stoner, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at Ohio
State University said "It's not clear that these levels could be achieved in
animals or in humans because the ellagitannins are not well absorbed into blood
when provided in the diet."
Powel Brown, M.D., Ph.D., medical oncologist and chairman of the Clinical Cancer
Prevention Department at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
said "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."
A health observer suggested people should never count on drug companies to
produce these compounds and sell them as dietary supplements to help prevent
breast cancer because as dietary supplements they won't make much profit.
The findings, the health observer suggested, may serve as a base for drug
companies to develop new anti-cancer drugs.