Animal study supports the results of Phase II human clinical trial showing that Pomegranate Extract both protects from developing and also fights prostate cancer

Scientists at the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA and at the Greater Los Angeles VA Medical Center have previously shown that Pomegranate dramatically increases the amount of time it takes for PSA to double in prostate cancer patients with a rising PSA level in a Phase II clinical trial.

Ellagitannins (ETs) are the most abundant polyphenols present in pomegranate juice and they contribute greatly to the benefits derived from the Pomegranate. Our digestive juices hydrolyze ETs into freeing Ellagic Acid which is converted by our healthy gut bacteria into urolithin A (UA) metabolites.

In this study a Pomegranate Extract standardized to be rich in ETs was given to normal male mice. So was a synthetic UA. The ETs concentrated more in the lining of the intestines, in the tissues of the colon and in the prostate to a greater degree than in other tissues. Next the Standardized Pomegranate Extract was fed to mice injected with human prostate cancer. These mice severely lack an immune system and will dependably develop the cancer. The Pomegranate Extract significantly inhibited the growth of the prostate cancer. The study was performed and is published in the August 28th, 2007 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.