ELLAGIC ACID

ELLAGIC ACID is a naturally occurring phytonutrient, chemically belonging to the phenol family. It is a phenolic lactone compound found in a variety of fruits and vegetables. It occurs in particularly high concentrations in strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, grapes, many other berries and in nuts such as walnuts and pecans. These fruits are known for their pharmalogical activity as well as potential anti-oxidant, anti-radical and anti-mutagenic activities. Ellagic acid is not the only phenolic in fruits and vegetables (phytonutrients) that may have preventive or therapeutic activities on the cancer process. Hydroxycinnamic acids also possess potential chemopreventative properties. With respect to biomarkers of tumor initiation, ellagic acid has been shown to inhibit the metabolic activation of carcinogenic compounds (polcyclic hydrocarbons, nitroso-containing chemicals or food preservatives and aflatoxins) into forms that prevent them from mutating or damaging cellular DNA. Ellagic acid promotes carcinogen detoxification by stimulating the activity of various isoforms of the enzyme glutathione-S-transferase in hepatoma (liver cancer). Another mechanism by which ellagic acid could inhibit tumor initiation is though its potential role as scavenger of the reactive metabolites of carcinogens. Ellagic acid increases blood clotting and controls hemorrhaging. Ellagic acid decreases prothrombin activity, partial thromboplastin time and bleeding time after administration. Ellagic acid is also proven to reduce traumatic bleeding time.