Possible use of Punica granatum (Pomegranate) in cancer therapy

Amrita Devi Khwairakpam; Devivasha Bordoloi; Krishan Kumar Thakur; Javadi Monisha; Frank Arfuso; Gautam Sethi; Srishti Mishra; Alan P Kumar; Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara

doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2018.04.021

Possible use of Punica granatum (Pomegranate) in cancer therapy

Pharmacol Res. 2018 Jul:133:53-64. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.04.021. Epub 2018 May 2.

Authors

Amrita Devi Khwairakpam¹, Devivasha Bordoloi¹, Krishan Kumar Thakur¹, Javadi Monisha¹, Frank Arfuso², Gautam Sethi³, Srishti Mishra⁴, Alan P Kumar⁵, Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara⁶

Affiliations

¹ Cancer Biology Laboratory & DBT-AIST International Laboratory for Advanced Biomedicine (DAILAB), Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam 781039, India.
² Stem Cell and Cancer Biology Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
³ Department for Management of Science and Technology Development, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam; Faculty of Pharmacy, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam; Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117600, Singapore(1). Electronic address: gautam.sethi@tdt.edu.vn.
⁴ Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117600, Singapore(1).
⁵ Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117600, Singapore(1); Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Medical Science Cluster, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Curtin Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia; National University Cancer Institute, National University Health System, Singapore.
⁶ Cancer Biology Laboratory & DBT-AIST International Laboratory for Advanced Biomedicine (DAILAB), Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam 781039, India. Electronic address: kunnumakkara@iitg.ernet.in.

PMID: 29729421
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.04.021

Abstract

The intake of fruits has proven to reduce the risk and incidence of cancer worldwide and plays a crucial role in cancer prevention. Pomegranate (Punica granatum), which belongs to the Punicaceae family, is one such plant that contains beneficial nutrients as well as many bioactive components and important phytochemicals that can be attributed to cancer-related therapeutic purposes. Pomegranate possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-angiogenic, anti-invasive, and anti-metastatic properties, and induces apoptosis. It also down-regulates various signaling pathways such as NF-κB, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and Wnt, and down-regulates the expression of genes that are responsible in cancer development, such as anti-apoptotic genes, MMPs, VEGF, c-met, cyclins, Cdks, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, inclusion of the fruit in one's diet would assist in a healthy life protected from cancer and also act as an effective chemotherapeutic with no toxic side effects.

Keywords: Cancer therapy; Phytochemicals; Pomegranate; Punica granatum; Punicalagin.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
Humans
Lythraceae*
Neoplasms / drug therapy*
Phytotherapy*
Plant Preparations / pharmacology
Plant Preparations / therapeutic use*

Substances

Antineoplastic Agents
Plant Preparations