Ellagic Acid and Cancer Hallmarks: Insights from Experimental Evidence

Abstract

Cancer is a complex and multifaceted disease with a high global incidence and mortality rate. Although cancer therapy has evolved significantly over the years, numerous challenges persist on the path to effectively combating this multifaceted disease. Natural compounds derived from plants, fungi, or marine organisms have garnered considerable attention as potential therapeutic agents in the field of cancer research. Ellagic acid (EA), a natural polyphenolic compound found in various fruits and nuts, has emerged as a potential cancer prevention and treatment agent. This review summarizes the experimental evidence supporting the role of EA in targeting key hallmarks of cancer, including proliferation, angiogenesis, apoptosis evasion, immune evasion, inflammation, genomic instability, and more. We discuss the molecular mechanisms by which EA modulates signaling pathways and molecular targets involved in these cancer hallmarks, based on in vitro and in vivo studies. The multifaceted actions of EA make it a promising candidate for cancer prevention and therapy. Understanding its impact on cancer biology can pave the way for developing novel strategies to combat this complex disease.

In silico evaluation of potential breast cancer receptor antagonists from GC-MS and HPLC identified compounds in Pleurotus ostreatus extracts

“…It also improves DNA repair and inhibits enzymes that enable cancer cells to evade cell death. 115 Ellagic and vanillic acids was found to be present only in the ethanol extract. Quercetin and apigenin functions as antioxidants, protecting cells from free radical damage, which can result in cancer growth.…”

Urolithins and Their Precursors Ellagic Acid and Ellagitannins: Natural Sources, Extraction and Methods for Their Determination

“…The consumption of foods rich in ETs and EA has been associated with beneficial effects on human health. As a consequence, a plethora of studies have been performed to shed light on the bioactivities of ETs, EA and Uros [6][7][8][9][10]. Recently, an increasing interest has been focused on the bioactivities of Uros and clinical trials have led Uro supplements to enter into the market [11].…”