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.

Keywords: cancer; chemoprevention; chemotherapy; ellagic acid; hallmarks.

Figure 1

The Hallmarks of Cancer. This diagram illustrates the hallmark traits that are typically possessed by the majority of cancers.

Figure 2

Chemical structure of ellagic acid.

Figure 3

Ellagic acid eliminates self-sufficiency in growth signals and restores responsiveness to growth-inhibitory signals. Upward-pointing green arrows signify heightened expression/activation, while red T bars indicate lowered expression or reduced activity.

Figure 4

Effect of ellagic acid on intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis. Upward-pointing green arrows signify heightened expression/activation, while red T bars indicate lowered expression or reduced activity.

Figure 5

The effect of ellagic acid on selected metabolic pathways in cancer cells. Upward-pointing green arrows signify heightened expression/activation, while red T bars indicate lowered expression or reduced activity.

Figure 6

Ellagic acid’s impact on angiogenesis, cancer cell migration, and invasiveness. Upward-pointing green arrows signify heightened expression/activation, while red T bars indicate lowered expression or reduced activity.

Figure 7

Effect of ellagic acid on specific aspects of the immune system. Red T bars indicate lowered expression or reduced activity.

Figure 8

Anti-inflammatory effect of ellagic acid. Green arrows indicate increased expression/activation, while red T bars indicate lowered expression or reduced activity.