EVIDENCE-BASED THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF POMEGRANATE AND ITS ACTIVE CONSTITUENT ELLAGIC ACID

Presently pomegranate is used in traditional medicine for its pharmacological properties. Consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits can improve the human health mainly because of their high contents of beneficial phytochemicals and other micronutrients. Pomegranate has multiple pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer actions. Ellagic acid is a major compound of pomegranate which is naturally existing in many kinds. It has also been found in raspberries, blackberries, cranberries, strawberries, pecans, walnuts, green tea, pomegranates, and blueberries. Recently, numerous studies have proven the effectiveness of ellagic acid and pomegranate juice in the treatment of prostate cancer, diabetes, melasma, ultraviolet radiation-induced skin damage, endotoxemia, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, cardiovascular diseases, blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, erectile dysfunction, dental disorders, diabetes, and idiopathic central precocious puberty. The therapeutic effect of ellagic acid and pomegranate juice could be due to the clinically evidenced antioxidant activities. In conclusion, ellagic acid may be used as a therapy or adjuvant therapy for the treatment of many illnesses. Copyright (c) 2013-All Rights Reserved-Pharmacophore.