The potential of pomegranate and its components for prevention and treatment of breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy of women in the United States, and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women. There is a major need for less toxic but yet effective therapies to treat breast cancer. Pomegranate fruit from the tree Punica granatum has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes and is described as "nature's power fruit". The unique biochemical composition of pomegranate fruit being rich in antioxidant tannins and flavonoids has recently drawn attention of investigators to study its anti-cancer effects. Recent research has demonstrated that pomegranate extracts suppress proliferation of breast, prostate, colon and lung cancer cells in vitro and inhibit the growth of breast, prostate, colon and lung tumors in vivo. This review focuses on recent investigations into the effects of pomegranate and its components on cell and molecular mechanisms involved in breast cancer progression.